Hi there,

I've recently been given a stationary trainer.
Magnetic resistance, adjustable on bars, pretty quiet compared to what I've heard. Nothing real fancy,... but hey,... was a club mate's who's quitting cycling (I don't believe him.... he'll be back in a year or two ).

Anyway. I am very new to this whole indoor riding. So looking for advice. From a hardware standopint, I don't have any kind of power meter, just a cadence meter, speed and HRM (linked with my Garmin device so I can use all these together, obviously). Oh, and I have my road bike too

Still, what can I do that would be productive/useful for training? my goal is to ride in my low-level amateur races in France (~70km ridden at 35-42 km/h avg. to give you an idea)? (knowing that I have no power meter...).

Are these devices (trainers) only meant to ride short (~half-hour) very specific workouts (intervals, or other...) or can it be used to perform longer (~60-90 min.) less specific workouts?
My point is: is it useful, in addition to the specific workouts to ride absent-mindedly in front on the TV for about an hour on days when you would do nothing otherwise?

Can it be used as an easy ride tool for recovery for "the day after"?

Thanks!