Originally Posted by
Carbonfiberboy
But mostly what you need is aerobic training. The rest of it maybe makes a difference, maybe not, it's that small a difference. Trainer or rollers. I can't do anything in the spring if I haven't trained all winter.
+1
In my early days of cycling, I put the bicycle away in about November and started riding again in about April ... and it felt like I was just starting to ride for the first time. Even though I did try to keep somewhat active through the winter, I had lost so much fitness that I was struggling with 5 or 10 km rides.
Then I got an inexpensive stationary bicycle ... nothing special. But I rode that thing anywhere from 30-60 minutes a day about 4 days a week, and what a difference come April!! I could get on my bicycle and ride a decent distance without feeling like I was brand new to cycling.
When I got my trainer, and when I got involved in spinning classes, and when I started riding outside year round ... that made even more of a positive difference.