moonkee2,

Sorry to hear about your friend. Good for you for turning your grief into action and getting on your bike. We don't have seasons here on the left coast but we do have off season training! Stationary trainers are great for that. There are several brands to pick but basicly 4 different types:

Wind trainers - affordable, noisy.
Mag trainers -- cost more, closer to a real ride feel, quieter, apartment dwellers your neighbors will thank you
Fluid Trainers - quietest of the bunch, feels just like riding. Most expensive.
Rollers -- best option for working on form, quiet, you will fall off a lot till you get the hang of it.

I have a Cycleops fluid trainer and love it. I'm never bored, just pop in a CD fast music for working on my cadence, slower to work on strength. My dog gets to curl up on her bed and watch me ride, she likes it too. I also weight train during the off season and do other sports.

Stationary trainers will chew up your rear quick release. I got a spare one and pop that in when in use, then switch back to the regular Ultegra when I'm "really riding".

TREK420

see ya' round