New Pain Cave Setup

Mike Weinmann

 

We are installing a Garage-Tek (GT) system in our garage. As part of this and some other work we're doing to the house, I'm moving the pain cave to the garage. Will try to include a mock-up from the GT sales rep to give folks a sense of the layout in a follow-up post (picture uploading not working for me), but I've got lots of flexibility in space/budget in how things are set-up. Here are my current thoughts, but would appreciate other ideas:

1. TV / monitor wall mounted

2. Shelf for components (apple TV, laptop, etc.). have a Roku stick for the TV/monitor for Netflix, etc entertainment

3. Plug-in heater on a timer, so garage will be warm enough by the time I start my morning workouts

4. Laptop connection to monitor for Trainer Road or other trainer software (potential upgrade from current basic CycleOps to something like Tacx Genius)

5. room for a treadmill (polar vortex this past winter convinced me of the need)

Thanks for your help!

kevhill

In a word, nice! Do you need fans somewhere as well though? One thing I would also add is a shelf near the bike where you can put extra bottles/nutrition and the remote etc. On a longer ride means no need for stopping when need a new bottle etc (or to change channel).

Peter Noyes

For my pain cave I want to build up a cheap little computer instead of a laptop and have it permanently installed. I am tired of setting up my laptop all the time.

Mike Weinmann

@Kevin -- thanks! I've never used a fan before for my trainer rides, but this would be a good opportunity to start. The plug-in heater has a fan, which I'll use for starters. It might eventually make sense to add a stand-up fan closer to my bike.

@Peter -- I was thinking the same thing. Checked out DC Rainmaker's review of the Tacx trainer / VR set-up and his normal computer wouldn't cut it, so he built one up to the required specs. I'm going to try out the laptop and then adjust to a dedicated Desktop if required.