wow, ok -- i get it. I've heard discussions on the forum about winter training but well it didn't make sense. I get what you're saying about it being harder than outside, I thought I was doing something wrong.

I see from another web search that blocks are inexpensive. I don't know why I thought otherwise...

Thanks for the tip on all the websites - there's so much to learn! i love it I do have a mountain ride that I'd like to attempt this summer so this will help enormously. (It's probably absurdly ambitious but gotta try.)

cheers!