thanks a lot danno, I really like your comments. it helps us beginners a lot and makes us save a lot of time!
You mention that I should be done in the gym by january and start riding again, but over here in Montreal we have snow until...march at least, so the roads aren't really an option untill late february at best. I could still ride on the trainer, but could I extend the period of time spent in the gym and improve even more of it, or will it just be a waste of time? For the months of january-febr., would cross training like cross country skiing and hockey be some good options, or is it a lot better to jump on the trainer by january?