I can't be the only one...

[pll]

This is the first winter I'm seriously trying to use a trainer consistently. I find it much harder than riding outside, as many of you have mentioned. I have been watching some movies and I also bought the Suffer Fest videos, which were recommended in another thread.

Since the summer, I have been trying to increase my cadence, but I still cannot keep it up above 90 for more than 15 min without an effort that leaves me breathless. Any advice on how to improve on that dimension? Some kind of interval work, perhaps? Not being able to maintain a high cadence makes it hard to follow the Suffer Fest workouts.

Anyway, this morning I was thinking that it would be great if someone came up with wiring/sensors that enabled people to use the trainer with simulations (say a Wii cycling game). Found this, which is not exactly what I had in mind, but it gave some hope: http://usbrider.com/index.htm Wouldn't it be cool if a game console was able to pick up on cadence and gear changes for a game? <of course, being a bit of a luddite, I don't own any game consoles...>

[chicagogal]

I second everyone who said it is so much better to ride indoors with friends/family. Longest trainer ride for me was 3hr 45min, on a computrainer at the LBS. I get in a 3+ hr ride once per week all winter. No way I could do that at home alone. 4days per week total on the trainer for a combination of intervals and endurance rides. Great gains can be made, so it is totally worth it come spring.

[jelee1311]

I do hate the trainer, I feel kinda like a hamster on it. It does allow me to focus and do intervals I wouldn't do outside so I work harder on it. I havnt used mine much this winter but I plan on doing a few days a week after the new year. I have rollers and havnt learned the magic password to make it so I can ride for more than a few mins with out falling off them (even in a hallway). Crashing on them still hurts but is very funny!I plan on mastering rollers by next winter. My DH likes to prove it can be done by riding no handed showoff. I guess trainers and rollers are better than not riding at all but I still don't like them.