Originally Posted by
jadocs
I try to get outdoors as much as I can too, but one is not necessarily better than the other. They complement each other. I can accomplish much more in 1hr on the trainer vs. going outside fighting with traffic and stop signs...not to mention the convenience of being able to do it when I get home late from work, or if the weather is not cooperating.
It all depends on where you live. If I ride out my driveway, I can easily ride 60 miles and encounter no more than 4 stop signs and 1 stop light on a choice of loops. Smooth, well-maintained paved roads and a variety of hills, mountains, and rollers. Very light traffic, all the time. For me, outdoors is definitely better. (The trainer is for inclement weather, only. It's too artificial an environment. It never involves wind, or bike handling, or uncomfortable temperatures. The trainer isn't very good preparation for real world competition. In my circumstances, the trainer is no better than a stopgap.)
But admittedly, if I lived in a metro area, I might feel differently.