When the weather is utterly shite outside, as it has been in London for a few weeks now, it’s not the best time to head out on the roads. Indoor training is incredibly boring, about as boring as that strictly come dancing or any of the talent shows on the box, so getting the motivation to do it is harder than ever.

Thankfully I was introduced to the Sufferfest videos, created by David McQuillen (who I reckon is a bit of a sadist, how else could you describe someone who makes shit that evil?). Anyway, the same approach stands: plug the bike into the trainer, grab a towel, turn the lights off and get ready. The videos offer a variety of different scenarios, with varying intensity and styles. At the moment, my personal favourite is ‘A Very Dark Place’, and it’s rather subtly summed up:

…those who have a bucket next to their bike. And those who want to improve high-end power.

If you man up, follow David’s on-screen commands and keep to the cadence/effort level, you do honestly feel like throwing up towards the end. At one point, I swear I thought the bike was going to fly off the Tacx and launch me into the flat screen at speed. Thankfully, all that happened was that feeling of being ill. All rather enjoyable actually.

David’s videos have managed to bring some enjoyment back into an incredibly mundane training option, something those living in the Northern Hemisphere have to grow used to during the Winter months. Have they had an effect? I’d say yes, the last race was a bit of a bitch and my legs felt like they had more in them, especially when sprinting up hills.

Well worth the money.