Training & Nutrition - Will a trainer help?

As I posted before, I'm having difficulties getting used to cycling in my area....probably due to hills. I'M wondering if investing in a fluid-type trainer may help my stamina for the road. Thoughts? Recommendations?
Thanks again....everyone here has been so helpful and understanding. What a great site! :thumb:

any type of cardiovascular activity will make you more fit, which will help increase your stamina. obtaining this fitness on a trainer will more quickly translate or transfer to the road. so, yes.

however, you live in Cali and i would just keep riding outside. i mean you can do it year round. eventually you will gain fitness and become a stronger rider.

later.

Trainers are exceedingly boring, IMO. I wouldn't count on one to endear me to cycling, but it does fit the bill when there are no real-life alternatives. Before a trainer, if you're pretty sure the hills and your current fitness are a mismatch, I would consider changing the gearing on your bike. I bet you'll get a much bigger morale boost when you start riding those hills faster than when you shift gears while on the trainer.

I have used rollers for many years and use them sometimes even in nice weather. Rollers or a trainer are especially good when you just need to get some base time or want a recovery ride. When going outside every day is just going to give you sore legs and you need some easier, steady-state time.

They're also good for doing pedaling drills which you can't really do at all outside: fastpedal (pedaling at extremely high cadence for extended periods), one-legged pedaling, and tempo intervals. These special drills require long periods of uninterrupted pedaling at certain steady speeds, which is usually impossible outside because of hills, traffic lights, stop signs, etc.

My trainer totally saved me this year...It helped me get back on track after 2 months without cycling,so yes,they always help.I also use my trainer to warm up before doing my weight training.