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I've not had to travel with work since the pandemic started, but am facing quite a bit of hotel time over the next few weeks. It's usually dull enough, but with the bar and restaurants closed and room service only, it's likely I'll go a little crazy. I got a turbo and zwift subscription recently, so am wondering how feasible it would be to subtly set it up in my room. Anyone else done this? I can't imagine the staff being particularly impressed with me carrying a bike through the lobby. The turbo is a Kickr Core, so not particularly noisy, so long as the floor is solid.
I had a colleague who spent a lot of time in the Marriott in Swindon, working for IBM at a certain woods-proximal building society. She was there for that long that the hotel kept the turbo and bike for her, and put them in her room before she checked in each Monday morning.
So, long and short, as long as the bike's clean I doubt they'll care
Buy something like a "Velo Sock" for your bike, then I'm sure hotel staff will be fine with your carrying your bike to/from your room.
I've done a lot of turbos in hotel carparks, although it helped that I had a van with a tail gate to keep the any drizzle off. You obviously get a few funny looks but if your ego is strong enough to cope with that it's certainly an option.
Other than that give it a go, as long as you're respectful (lay down a blanket in case of dirt or something), don't use their towels for wiping up oil and don't do it late at night I'd go for it. One of those cases where the potential impact is minimal so better to 'ask forgiveness than permission'?
Maybe ask for a room on the ground floor is the noise doesn't resonate to the floor below?
Ps re bikes in rooms they key thing is to have a spotless bike and not to ask...
(Or pack it in a bike bag!).
I've carried bikes into hotel rooms plenty of times in the past. As long as it's not dripping mud or water everywhere you'll be fine. Never had it questioned in "normal" times and at the moment with hotels quiet and knowing you'll have to spend time in your room I think they'll be even more accomodating.
The turbo will be fine too I'd suggest, just be concious of the times you use it as they can be noisy and disturb others.
You'll have no issues I'd have thought.
it wont be the worst thing that's happening in that hotel that day. or any other....
Done it loads of times, both with a turbo and rollers and never had an issue. I take a sheet or yoga mat to keep the floor clean. Some hotels have fans you can borrow (in case the AC is bust) or take your own (the AC will likely not cope with a good turbo session).
One London hotel I've staying in a few times (The Curtain), has WattBikes they'll put in your room, fitted with pedals of your choice! In the US, Peloton bikes for the room are getting more common in the more interesting hotels.
As said above, hotels are used to weird things going on. As long as it's behind closed doors and not disturbing the neighbours, they generally don't bat an eyelid*.
*Idea for a new thread, weird stuff seen in hotels. The Furries convention that took over the Doubletree next to our corp HQ in the US for a weekend was an eye-opener.
Premier Inn don't care, and have a "bike friendly" policy. https://www.premierinn.com/gb/en/why/bike-friendly.html
Ask for a ground floor room though.
Do it in the car park, I'd be pretty pissed off if I was in a neighbouring room listening to that.
As long as you're not in the room above me its fine. If you are and start using it late in the evening expect an angry knock on the door!
Unless it's an old building, it'll have concrete floors so noise won't be an issue with a Kickr Core. As above, I've only mentioned the bike after I've wheeled into reception and I've never had a no.
this, turbo'd in a 1st floor flat once, neighbours downstairs were NOT impressed 🤣Ask for a ground floor room though.
to subtly set it up in my room
There are lots of words I could use to describe my turbo. 'Subtle' is not one of them and it's a fancy pants Tacx Neo too which is quieter than most.
Unless the hotel is built like some sort of bunker it will be an exercise in being massively rude to any other paying guest in neighbouring and especially rooms below. Even as a cyclist used to fellow cyclist weirdness I'd be massively pissed off if some ****wit decided to have a nice 2hr turbo in the room next to (or above) mine in the vast majority of hotel architecture.
If the hotel has a gym could you set it up there? Or as already stated outside - turboing indoors without a full on fan is horrible anyway.
+1 on requesting a ground floor.
Depending on your set up ERG mode in the little ring is pretty quiet on most direct drive turbos. Sprint practice in Zwift might not be the best idea!
Never had an issue with bikes in hotels, i always request ground floors.
kickr core is quiet enough i can use it in the spare room while the wife and kid sleeps next door .... albe it on concrete floor - the noise of a direct drive (non braked) turbo is minimal - reduced to that of your chain IME ( With a kickr Core anyway)
that said if your hotel of choice is the premier in or travel lodge then dropping of a feather can be heard next door .
When I had a few prolonged stays in hotels I just left my bike in the car and nipped out for a ride once course had finished.... getting some fresh air and combating the inevitable 3 course lunch and dinner 😊
