Trainer Time vs Road Time

An hour by any other name is an hour.  I log it all the same.  I do tend to go slightly harder on the trainer, but not always.

Agreed with above poster. I definatley go harder on the trainer. I think it helps the time go faster!

I have been told 1 hour on the trainer equals 1.5 hours on the road.

I guess it really depends on what roads you're riding on.  Around here there will be a lot of stops, so I can definitely feel a difference between the constant tension of 90 minutes vs 2 or more hours of stop and go biking.  

I just figured out how to set my bike computer to stop logging time when I get below a certain speed.  So it isn't logging time while I'm slowly rolling forward at stop lights, etc..  And I always keep pedaling down hills, unless I spin out.

Also, don't discount the fact that on the road, you are using lots of muscles that you don't use on the trainer.  Rollers are closer to the road experience, but still not identical.

I agree that trainer workouts can be more focused, but I think that the difference might not be so great.  I go harder on the trainer as a matter of choice (I'd rather have a short intense workout on the trainer than a longer less intense one, just so I can off of the thing sooner), not because it is intrinsically harder.

Edited by Experior 2009-07-05 11:19 AM

Without having stats to back it up, I would say that if you can't get on the road, get on the trainer. The trainer is great, because you can push as hard as you want/can without stopping and work on consistant pace. However, on the road is where we race, most of the time, so you need to work on bike handling skills, paying attention to hills coming up and working on shifting gears based on the grade of the course.

I use it as 1:1. However, as said before I use the trainer in the winter for shorter more intense workouts like spinnervals Dropping the hammer, or time trial, then take it on the road. Seems to have helped my speed and power.