Originally Posted by
sstorkel
I use a Kurt Kinetic Road Machine fluid trainer, usually with TrainerRoad.com and Sufferfest videos.
I can get a very good workout using the trainer, but it's a different experience from riding outside. In particular, for any given power output (measured by my PowerTap power meter) I'll end up generating more speed on the trainer than I would outdoors. Because my speeds are higher, I travel further during a trainer workout than I would if I were riding outdoors. So, in some sense, riding the trainer is easier.
Funny, I have the same setup (although no PowerTap, just "Virtual Power") and find that I'm slower on my Trainer for what feels like me working harder (i.e. I'm much more exhausted after an hour on the trainer, than for the same time on the road). I've never beat 17.5 mph average on my trainer in an hour, but I've done 19.5 mph on a real ride, and regularly average around 18.5 mph, on terrain that would be considered rolling to hilly.
For the record I weighed 260 lbs as of a few weeks ago.