[photosbymark]

Well after a few sessions on a bike at the local Y, I am finding the indoor bike far more work than actually riding. Anyone have any kind of comparison vs miles outdoor on the real bike vs miles you ride going no where? Am I the only one that thinks its that much harder than really riding??

[Hazy]

Originally Posted by photosbymark

Well after a few sessions on a bike at the local Y, I am finding the indoor bike far more work than actually riding. Anyone have any kind of comparison vs miles outdoor on the real bike vs miles you ride going no where? Am I the only one that thinks its that much harder than really riding??

Well after an extensive experience of exactly 20 miles on my new stationary trainer I would tend to agree. I think it may be more mental than physical though. My avg speed was 5 mph higher over 20 miles on the trainer than on the road. Most likely due to the hilly terrain here and the fact that my resistance setting was on low. My first time so will have to tweak that as i learn.

Kind of perplexed that my Garmin registered an extensive elevation change while on the trainer.

[photosbymark]

Those that do a 100 miles to no where now have me questioning their sanity however. Still at home at the trainer it was really boring. At least at the Y they have a cool tv set up where you can plug in an ear bud and listen to and watch one of about 6 channels while you pedal. Watching Neil Cavuto is as good a reason to pedal as any. At least you learn something from Neil.

[ksr5]

Trainer seems much harder for me also I think your right its all mental.

[Xela]

Originally Posted by photosbymark

Those that do a 100 miles to no where now have me questioning their sanity however.

I do too, and so do I.

Seriously, though, Carmichael has a chart comparing indoor ride time to outdoor ride time with the following as approximates, and states that when converting an outdoor training ride to an indoor workout, reduce the ride length by 20 percent:

2 hrs inside = 2.5 outside
1.5 inside = 2 out
1.25 in = 1.5 out
45 min in = 1 hr out

[photosbymark]

At least makes me feel better when the numbers seem so different

[rawhite1969]

Originally Posted by Xela

I do too, and so do I.

Seriously, though, Carmichael has a chart comparing indoor ride time to outdoor ride time with the following as approximates, and states that when converting an outdoor training ride to an indoor workout, reduce the ride length by 20 percent:

2 hrs inside = 2.5 outside
1.5 inside = 2 out
1.25 in = 1.5 out
45 min in = 1 hr out

I'd say that seems accurate. I know I don't feel like inside is near the workout. No resistance of pushing your body through the wind, of hills, starting and stopping, etc.