If you’re a hardcore bicyclist, you know that there’s really no substitute for riding your own bicycle whenever you want. But unless you’re truly devoted, or a little bit insane, you’re not going to be able to ride your bike year round. Cold weather and icy streets make bike riding in the winter months a dangerous, if not impossible endeavor. That’s why many bike riders spend their winters riding their own bikes indoors on bicycle trainers. Trainers, like the type made by Kurt Kinetic, consist of large rollers that are placed on a metal frame that allow any bike to by ridden in place, all year round. The most basic trainers are simply a set of rollers and not much else. A more advanced model, like the CycleOps trainer, allows the rider to vary the resistance for a more complete workout. Trainers are fairly simple to use, but they’re not necessarily plug and play. For starters, getting going on a trainer takes a little bit of practice and a fair amount of balance. Many riders also save wear and tear on their road tires by using tread less training tires when riding the rollers. But once you get used to the feel of a trainer, riding is easy and getting a good winter workout becomes a real possibility.