The fascination of roller training: Indoor training with the Female Cycling Force

Another day like that. Today, everything was more important than me. The child needed a lot of attention, he had a stomach ache. I couldn't even fit in the short indoor session that I needed. But isn't that what they say always works? A misconception. Exhausted, I fall into bed and look forward to tomorrow. Tomorrow I'll be a bit closer to my "old self". I'm off to the Female Cycling Force clubhouse in the early afternoon. The child can have fun with other kids in the play corner and I cycle with other mums. Afterwards, we both go home in a good mood. Ok, the story is made up, but it's based on my own experiences.

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Advantages of roller training: efficient, weather-independent, safe

Since coronavirus, platforms such as Zwift, Rouvy and the like have been familiar to almost everyone in cycling. Smart trainers are no longer nerd toys, but part of everyday cycling life. You can squeeze a 30-minute workout, including changing and showering, into an hour: efficient and independent of the weather. Especially in winter, a bike ride outside takes considerably more time. You have to put on layer after layer. Before you leave the flat, you're already drenched in sweat. The heat soon turns to shivering.

Another advantage is the safety aspect. You can do your intervals indoors without having to watch out for traffic. You don't have to watch out for slippery wooden planks or icy surfaces. Bonus: You are not exposed to the eyes or comments of others. In short: you can control your training precisely on the Smarttrainer without being influenced by too many external factors.

Disadvantage of indoor training

Indoor cycling is therefore considered the perfect solution for anyone who wants to combine family, work and training. But anyone who has ever tried to fire up the Smarttrainer with a small child and care work knows that it's not that easy. Even if training indoors is efficient and effective, it still requires peace and quiet and the freedom to do so. Not always easy to juggle for single parents. But it's also difficult in families with a classic division of roles. Well, and between you and me: it can also be difficult for anyone else to integrate cycling into their everyday life, especially when they are under a lot of stress.

Mum rides with Female Cycling Force

Linda Mutschlechner, founder of Female Cycling Force and mum to a two-year-old toddler herself, knows exactly what that feels like: "The woman I was before is still there". That's one reason why the women's cycling community in Munich also offers mum rides - a rather unique offer. Mums come to the clubhouse for a Zwift session and bring their kids, who are looked after by an experienced person. They make sure that the little ones don't run between the cranks. Those who want to can be placed on mum's handlebars. This way, both can immerse themselves in the Zwift world together.

The Female Cycling Force aims to encourage mums to enjoy their hobby. These indoor training sessions on smart bikes were offered for the first time last winter. They come with a whole range of benefits. Linda lists them all: The child has a play date and gets to socialise with their peers. They also get to see their mum pursuing her personal interests. There are several advantages for the woman. She goes out, she meets like-minded people and friends, she doesn't somehow squeeze her self-care, aka cycling unit, in between, but gives it a fixed date and therefore more importance. She doesn't lose who she was before she became a mum. Instead, she has the opportunity to break down traditional thought patterns according to which women - especially mothers - put their own needs on the back burner as soon as family and everyday issues take priority.

Zwift friendships

Women all over the world can take part in Female Cycling Force group workouts. The corresponding chat function on the shared Zwift training platform is always well used. One or two new friendships have already been forged through virtual bike training. This type of indoor cycling is therefore far more than just training between work and exhaustion: it is self-care in action and an empowerment tool. All you need is the right community, a clubhouse and a smart Roller trainer.