I hate, hate, hate winter in central Indiana! (But then, I'm one of those people who isn't warm until it's 80 degrees outside.) I do, however, eagerly anticipate the ice-covered, grit-smothered roads because then I can use the trainer. I love, love, love my trainer!

Just spinning doesn't do it for me though, and that's where evil Coach Troy comes in. We own quite a few of the Spinervals DVD's, so I have plenty of 'poison' to pick from. The two- and three-hour workouts are my favorites -- obviously I have issues, so perhaps you might not want to trust anything I have to say. For inspiration I also like to ride during telecasts of Hawaii Ironman.

If not using a DVD, I'll do one-legged drills, intervals, or a simulated hill workout -- anything to change things up.

We own two trainers, so DH and I will ride together sometimes -- reduces the monotony and introduces a little competitive spirit. A cycling friend of ours brings his trainer/bike several times a month, and we even added a fourth cyclist once. It was a little crowded, and we had three fans running, but it was a blast!

It also helps to have a long-range goal in mind to entice me to use the trainer. We do RAIN (160 miles) every July, so I have to maintain my distance base over the winter months. We do Michigan Mountain Mayhem (130 miles of hills) in early June, and there's no way I'd be ready for that without some gut-busting workouts on the trainer.

I must agree though -- trainer miles are hard miles -- but it's oh so easy when the weather cooperates and we can hit the roads!