I agree about riding outside being better in every aspect, as i noted in my first post..."All that said, i still find it depressing to do, but i'd rather be depressed for riding indoors than for no riding at all." .

Indoor training is not intended to be a total replacement, just additional tools that allow for training/riding when weather/personal commitments/wife-girlfriend request etc get in the way of riding outside. First rides in the spring (wind mostly) do slap you in the face, but after the first week you're golden and all that winter indoor boring/depressing work shows up.

I guess the issue is to keep riding throughout the winter, if being cold tolerant ride outside, if not ride inside...as long as there's riding it's all good. Idea is not to lose the form/fitness gained during the spring/summer/fall sitting on the couch all winter long.