I'm finally getting serious about cycling. I've been riding for a few years, doing 1500-2000 miles a year, but mostly out for "fun rides" or doing charity rides and stuff like that. I've decided I'd like to 1) get in better shape, and 2) try my hand at racing. I have a long way to go, but I'd like some advice on training videos. Something hard enough to challenge me for a while, but something that isn't so hard I can't make it through it.

I have a trainer set up with a TV and DVD player in front of it, and rather than just watching movies or something, I would like to watch some training videos so I can get the most out of my time on the trainer.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions...

I have a few from the carmichael series that are good. Only problem I see with them is its a warm up a sprint a recover a sprint on and on for 30 min. Its kinda nice cause the coach is walking you through it, and it provides motivation, but on one of the race tapes it has some footage from a bike event and it gave me an idea. I want to go out in the truck and driving my normal bike route at about 18-25 mph with the video camera strapped to the front. granted Id have to slow on some of the big climbs, but if i turn the vid sound down and put in a cd then it would be like riding outside. And I could ride longer

Is there anything like that out there on the market?

Carmichael has new videos that are like you describe - you go along on an actual ride with him. One is a New England fall foliage ride and another is in the desert.

To the OP - check out Carmichael's Spinervals series. There are several to chose from based on what you want to accomplish.

tacx makes some like that, they're the "video cycling" series. not as much variety as the ones that work with their virtual reality trainers, but there's a few i think. apparently you can use the ones ment for their virtual reality trainers with windows media player if you don't have their trainer, but i haven't tried this.

There's also the Rides series from endurance films. You are basically riding with a group in either Colorado or Nevada, and they have like numbers in the corners to tell you how fast to go. They are a little kooky but I like them. Not too boring

I hate ridding on the trainer. HATE IT!!!!

but that said, sometimes it's the only option. Actualy tonight i'm going to do a group session at the MOB http://mobcyclery.com/page.cfm?pageId=183
that makes the time pass and is great for indoor workout. I've actualy worked harder in these sessions then pretty much any race i've ever done.

back to videos... Spinnervals are good. Music is LAME but it's all about pain right? And thats what i keep it. I hate doing indoor so i like it hard, painful and over with quick. Nuts to you if you think you'll see me on it for 2 hours. A tough 45 min. workout is the Spinnervals "the uphill grind" comp. 7.0
short, sweet, a good mix of tough intervals. And it will make you want to stick you boot up coach Troy's .....
I think thats a good thing?

whats the name of those charmichael dvds, the ones that you ride with him outdoors??

whats the name of those charmichael dvds, the ones that you ride with him outdoors??
They are the "On the Road" series.

http://www.spinervals.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=53_74

you also might be able to pick up some DVDs of races fairly cheaply on ebay. there isn't a huge market for the 2002 paris roubaix, but its greatr to ride to

Personally I like watching cycling.tv the best. For the price of 1-2 training videos you can get an entire years subscription