Out in the cold

[The Moose1]

Okay, if it's the trainer or no bike, I'll take the trainer.  However, you get no technique on a trainer, no feel for the road, no headwind, no hills (up or down) and if you're coasting while on the road, you need to concentrate more on your technique anyway.  You build virtually no upper body strength on the trainer other than the muscles holding you up.  At least you can read, or watch T.V. or listen to music on a trainer, but then you're missing life as it goes by.  As our friends in Bloomfield say "T.V. SUCKS.  Go ride your bike."
As for the treadmill, a belt forcing your foot backward is not the same as pushing your body forward.  A treadmill at high speed invites bad form, and isn't the same as running on the road.  Also, there are no potholes, curbs or downhills (Boston shuffle here we come).  Yes, I agree that speed work on snowy roads is scary and dangerous, but a little restraint and common sense will allow you to build the supporting muscles that prevent injury (through slippage and uneven surfaces) and build a mental toughness from working through inclement weather that might show up on race day anyway.  How screwed do you feel when you get to the start line and it's snowing when you've spent all winter indoors?  (An example of extreme hibernation I know.)  Or if it's teaming rain and you haven't practiced in the rain because it sucks? At least the treadmill gives you hills.
So, ya, I agree that there are definitely advantages to having both.  But they still suck when compared to the playground outside that you and your parents already paid for.
Don't get me wrong.  I love to get on the bike no matter where (inside or out), and running on a treadmill is far more comfortable than    -40 in a snow storm, that's why I don't see a lot of people on the trail when I'm out in it.

Mike

[Newt]

G'day Mike,

I agree with a lot of what you had to say, if you train in all kinds of conditions when it comes race day you're well prepared and typically you can go into it thinking I've been through worse this is no big deal.

Like the commercial I've been seeing so much lately, In Canada "We have the best Backyard in the World" lets use it.

I've always said "Mother Nature is my Favourite Playmate".

Peace
Peter

[Sandy]

Oh my head!!!  Ok just to be clear when you say you build no technique on the trainer I assume you mean road handling skills.  Second to that I don't ride the trainer or my bike in general to build upper body strength, I save that for my strength building sessions.  While the TM and trainer may have you facilitate your muscles differently, variety is the spice of life and key to staying injury free.  I agree the wind in your hair is preferable to watching tv, unless it's below 15 degrees (my biking threshold) or -25ish (my running threshold) HOWEVER sometimes it is necessary to dance with the devil and stay indoors on the hamster wheel.  Talk about an exercise in mental toughness.  While I only speak for myself I believe there are a few others that would agree that embracing indoor workouts doesn't mean we do them exclusively but rather look for the workout on the day, with the elements that will give us the biggest bang for our buck and if that means a 2 hour ride on the trainer with constant peddling at optimum rpm or a speed session on the mill then I'm in.  I know it's worked for me when training for Ironman, qualifying for Boston and for every ultra I've run.  Afterall it's hard to find hills in these parts that replicate climbing to 12,000 feet but I can make my muscles think they have when running on the TM at a 12% grade!  Not to mention that sometimes it's just the safer option (solo women) or the only option (solo parents).

[Newt]

G'day Sandy,

I guess it's a question of what is the most effective and what is the most enjoyable. I have found trainers and treadmills to be the most effective workouts. I find it very hard to maintain the focus and intensity outside, (other than racing) that I can attain on the trainer. Plus it's easier to control other variables so progress or the lack thereof is easier to monitor. But I do prefer to be outside whenever possible. Also I've almost exclusively had may fastest races coming off of a long bout (weeks) of trainer workouts so I guess the proof is in the pudding. Mike if you want to workout your upper body and cycling skills inside try rollers especially with a resistance unit attached. But that's a whole other discussion in of itself.

Peace
Peter

[steph r]

As a newbie bike rider I have no business posting here BUT...a trainer ensures that you do not fall and possibly get run over when you can't get your clips undone!! AS spring approaches I'm getting worried...and planning a route then doesn't involve stopping :)

[tire guy]

Hey Steph
You allway's have business posting here,there is a lot of experienced people on here & some newbie's that post their opinions,the trick is to sort them out  .Don't worry about the spring rides just join in on our rides we will have you "un-clipping" in no time....as soon as I learn how to.

[The Moose1]

Ah Steph, it hurts your ego more than anything.   Think of not unclipping as a right of passage.

Sandy, I always knew you were tougher than me.

Mike

[WendyM]

Never a truer statement than that!!
I know my face was as red as my bike when I failed to unclip while doing a training ride at worlds.  My only consolation was that every else was relieved that I was the one to do it!!

[Janet]

I consider myself lucky if I only forget to unclip 4 or 5 times a year (slow learning curve here, must be why I like the trainer ), so I'm with you Steph on the least amount of stopping I can do the better!

[ironman]

For those that are complaining about a trainer.  I have but 1384 km on mine since late Oct. 09.  I was going to do my 50 km today outside, but then I couldn't watch Nascar or talk to my kids.  Beside it still too cold for me.  Needs to be about 15 degrees out for me or more...........lol   

[The Moose1]

Wuss.