I just rode rollers for the first time—yikes! After an hour (and one crash) I kind of got the hang of it, but peddling out of the saddle is scary. Have you guys mastered this, or is this just something one doesn’t do on rollers?

I found to get out of the saddle I need to keep the bike very vertical, and avoid rocking it from side to side as you do it on the road.

I am yet to master sprint intervals on the aerobars, but I'm not sure this is a nesessary skill.

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Success is how far you you bounce back up after being knocked down

88a - am not a fequent roller user but have no problems doing it

other cool and interesting trick is standing up and pedaling as you would on the road

once you can do that, try it with your eyes closed!

I find standing on the rollers it is better to rock the bike side to side, other wise I find my back wheel 'skips' off the back...

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Live to ride - Ride to live - Body - Bike - Soul

Well, after only one ride, I'd be impressed if you were already out of the saddle. When I lived in Ohio I used to have to train on the rollers a lot and I'd do sprint intervals in my biggest gear. No big deal once you get smooth, but don't expect to do it on your first ride. I never did get the cajones up to try and ride them no handed for very long.

is this training tech. true? or a joke?

Crashing to the wall which is infront of the roller...Brrr... scary...

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Only immortals leave their wheel marks to the places,where mortals wont be able to walk

true mate

sit up on your seat and pedal as you would on the road, then close your eyes

takes a lot of concentration and core control / stability - if you can keep your upper body straight then usually your bike will stay straight

There's a tv show in America called "Late Nite with David Letterman" and on this show they have a bit called, "Stupid Human Tricks." Other than trying to get on Letterman, I don't see the point of riding rollers while sitting up with your eyes closed.

fine you don't have to see the point of it - but you did ask about roller training so at least read about it without rubbishing what other people have posted in response to YOUR question

it's about riding in a calm state and staying relaxed, almost meditative

the only way you can do that is by keeping very strict form. having said that, you don't do it for minutes and minutes at time, just for short periods to relax

I'm with the big fellow here - it is all about relaxed concentration. I watch TV while on mine - not tried the closed eyes trick, but it is a worthwhile thing to attempt. It is not difficult to sense which way your body is travelling, and with eyes closed, your senses are heightened.
And, yes, it was your thread. There are those who question the riding of bikes, never mind riding rollers while blind. Don't slag others just 'cause you can't do it...

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GO HARD OR GO HOME

you can't crash off the front of rollers and go zipping across the room. as soon as your front wheel comes off you come to a dead stop. the worst that can happen is a sideways fall.

i stand up briefly to let some pressure off the nutsac. but rollers really aren't for sprint training because you can't get enough resistance, even with small roller barrels. rollers are mostly for aerobic conditioning, spin technique, and peloton-riding technique (i.e. riding in a straight line in tight quarters).

now, someone tell me how to get started without holding onto something, please.

magnificent, made me laugh very very hard (pardon the pun)

as for getting on without holding on can't help, i always use a chair to lean on...anyone esle got any ideas???

Riding in a doorway is probably the safest--you can lean a shoulder or elbow on either side without ever taking your hands off the bars.

By the way, I didn’t mean to ruffle any feathers with the Letterman comment. I just don’t see the practical side of riding with your eyes closed. Maybe it’s a Zen thing.

I usually ride in a doorway. Then I can grab it when I need to snag some water I put nearby or whathaveyou.

Sprinting out of the saddle isn't necessarily impossible, it'd just necessary to 'ease' out of the saddle, and you'll find yourself using your upper body to stabilize yourself in a different manner. You need to weight yourself correctly.

I believe riding the rollers regularly and doing intervals can give you much better sprinting form.

I know someone who broke their arm using an indoor trainer.

He then told me he was on rollers so I stopped laughing.

He fell off the side.