I'm not sure I believe this - convince me otherwise

@rvaughnmd If one (me) defines training stimulus as TSS, then possibly equivalent to a two hour outdoor ride, but I would say less than just about any three hour outdoor ride.

And "controlling every variable"? Nope. I can immediately think of one which isn't controlled indoors vs. outdoors… CO2 level. And there's more than that (position, out of the saddle weight shift difference, …)

@rvaughnmd Indoor training certainly makes time go more slowly …

@rvaughnmd It’s definitely more efficient, although I can’t quantify the difference. No junk miles riding through town, no coasting, etc.

There’s a more subtle benefit: when I’m riding on the road, whatever zone I’m trying to stay in, there will be a lot of excursions from that zone, so I’m not getting the ideal training effect from that ride (to be clear, I’m fine with that). Also, riding at fixed power on the stationary has made me a lot better at holding steady power on the road in situations where I might tend to waver.

But I think the biggest benefit for me is that the stationary is always right there. It takes me 3 minutes to get ready for an erg ride. Bad weather isn’t an excuse. So I use it more.

@rvaughnmd You can't control for the wind - no posture improvement. You can't improve your handling, either. Indoors will not prepare you for 100% outdoors riding.

And outside the few people of huge discipline who only need the training, you have the people who need extra motivation. Some psychological aspects can't be replicated. The smells, the sights, the variety that comes with unpredictability, the taste of fruit on the tree when you decide to pause.

And have you seen the snow today? Woo!