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How does the trainer work translate to road riding?

Brad MarcusBrad Marcus
in General Training Discussions
Since this my first Winter riding predominantly on the trainer alone, I am wondering how the work will translate or "feel" once the snow melts and the temps warm and I get outdoors. I rode the last couple of Winters mostly outdoors, and before even joining EN this Jan, I made a commitment to do as much trainer work as I could after reading all of the benefits it affords. I have been riding on the trainer, alone, since Oct with NO outdoor rides. I'm getting the "itch" to get out there and test my fitness, real time, so to speak, and am wondering if the difference would be noticeable. Thoughts?

Comments

  • Joe MatchetteJoe Matchette
    @Brad - since you have been doing the work, I expect you will be very pleasantly surprised when you get outside. As CoachRich says, he loves it when EN athletes get outside and ride with their riding buddies. The difference should be very noticeable! I expect you will have a Cheshire Cat level grin on your face.
  • Peter WickPeter Wick
    While I think you'll be pleasantly surprised, expect to feel a little worn out in your core and shoulders. Hopefully you have been maintaining your core strength. That trainer does a lot of the stabilizing of the bike for you. Outside on the road you'll be making all sorts of little adjustments as well as the subtle but constant work to keep the bike balanced. Do you live where it is hilly, like around Quassy or worse? That's where you may really feel it. Your legs will be happy as clams though.
  • Dino SartiDino Sarti
    I think you will find your legs stronger than in the past, but riding outside is totally body deal. Like stated above, moving around making power on a bike in motion will feel different, but thanks to that winter on the trainer, you be back in top form MUCH faster than had your not trained....
  • Brad MarcusBrad Marcus
    Thanks for responses guys. I hadn't considered not getting the core engaged as much on the trainer, but that's the trade off I guess. In any case, now I just need the ice to melt off the roads!
  • Dave TalloDave Tallo

    Posted By Brad Marcus on 19 Mar 2013 06:27 PM


    (I) am wondering if the difference would be noticeable. Thoughts?
    Unlike trainer riding, you get to coast once and a while when you get back on the road!  It's almost like an undocumented feature of riding!
  • Gordon CherwoniakGordon Cherwoniak

    Brad,

    I get to ride the trainer from pretty much October onward to April depending on the year.  I find the first few rides great when I get outside.  I typically don't ride with  buddies so no one to drop but I do have a typical route for the FTP testing.  I notice the extra watts and I'm looking forward to passing the virtual mark in the road again this year.

     We also don't have the smoothest roads where I live and I do feel muscles as mentioned by other.

    Gordon

  • Carrie ChavezCarrie Chavez
    You are going to be WAY faster than your old self. You'll want to stay "on the gas" like never before. You will likely never just noodle around on a ride outdoors and LOVE consistently pushing the watts.

    After my first off season when I got outside in January to ride with my friends I was a completely different rider. Confident, stronger and could pull the group for long stretches where in the past I would never go to the front.

    It was an amazing difference.
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