ill.clyde

So I've worked my a$$ off this year on the bike, and we're quickly coming to that time of year when those of us in northerly climes have to retreat indoors for at least part of our riding (though to be sure, I'm going to ride outside whenever I get the chance this winter as long as the weather is reasonable).

In years past I'd take November and December off ... which would then stretch into January ... sometimes February, and then March would roll around and I'd be fat and out of shape again.

I'd like to avoid that this year.

I have an indoor trainer, but this year I'd like some structure to it. Mind numbing miles on the trainer just aren't going to cut it. So I'm looking at things like Sufferfest and TrainerRoad.

Would appreciate any insight/opinions you guys may have.

Thanks!

IBOHUNT

I used Trainer road in the past. For $10/month I feel I got my money out of the 4 months I used. Turned out to be ~$0.70/hr
Not sure I could swallow the pricing of the Sufferfest videos. The only ones that make sense *to me* are the TT ones for doing FTP tests.

Black wallnut 

I Will Beat My Ass Today To Kick Yours Tomorrow! I am a Sufferfest Darksider! I rode the Tour of Sufferlandria this year in January and February. The ToS kicstarted my outdoor season and turned out to be the best thing I did all year training wise, not for the faint of heart. I disagree with IBOHUNT and think that Sufferfest videos are a bargain. They work for me and inspire me to put out the effort asked for in each one. TrainerRoad from what I understand from talking to folks that use it uses Sufferfest videos but also provides coaching which might be worth the cost. If you do the ToS and use TrainerRoad you get included in a better prize pool........

ToS this year was IIRC 11 videos in 9 days. The days that there were 2 videos on the schedule you had to do them in order back to back. It really was terribly hard but so worth it.

Pakiwi

When I started riding again this time last year it wasn't long before I got on the trainer due to weather. First I tried just listening to music and cycling. Then I would compare day to day and cycle up to an hour.
I saw a comment here on the Sufferfest videos and tried them. I have to say they made even cycling for two hours intersting. I think they are a great price and the videos vary from focusing on strength for hills, speed and sprints, intervals and endurance.
i also completed the Tour of Sufferlandria and have to say it's tough but a goal I aimed at finishing.
later in the year I tried Trainerroad and the two combined can really push you.
I do a FTP test to see how my training is going and as I progressed I was able to capture power, heart rate, cadence to match the videos and really push me. As my ftp goes up so does the requirement for the zones for the videos.
i think they are a great match and I think they gave me a great start to the year.
ibohunt I have two trainers so if you want to stop by we can do a couple of them if your ever in the area.
Allan

bigfred 

Mrs. Fred and I have nearly the entire Sufferfest collection. They're the only training videos that she enjoys working hard to! I also have a Trainerroad subscription. The two in combination are extremely effective. And hard, if you've done a proper ftp for setting your trainerroad threshold.

chaadster

Most of my training on a stationary is with a coach, at a studio, and train to power output, which makes doing a good, hard hour productive and bearable because it's within a structured program and I have specific power targets to hit throughout the ride.

I use Sufferfest at home sometimes, too, so far just the ones available through Strava. I also enjoy riding to Carpediemracing's videos off YouTube, which with their subtitled commentary, let me think about race strategy. In both cases, I use zones and targets prescribed by my coach.

The point I want to make is that distracting one's self while on the stationary is easy enough, but posting measurable gains takes a ride program built to get you through to spring. I think Trainerroad, from what I understand of it, would be a tremendous aid in that regard.