Spring is just about to begin. I've cancelled my Zwift subscription (for the time being). It is time to get out on the road . . . but we all know there are probably a few trainer days left. I was an early adopter for Zwift, but I have to admit that I've become bored with it. I like the variable "terrain" that Zwift provides, but the social and scenery and game aspects don't do it for me anymore. It's not a bad platform, but again, I'm bored with it. So, before I pay $15 to reactivate for one or two spring rides, I have a question . . .

Is there a decent smart trainer program / app that I can download to my laptop -- that doesn't require an on-going subscription or a continuous Internet connection? I would like to have the variability of resistance that I get from Zwift, but I don't need volcanoes or races or multi-national thumbs up. Is there a good trainer program that "stays in the room" so to speak? I don't need workouts -- I plan those myself. I just want a platform with variable terrain / resistance and two-way connectivity and control for the smart trainer. Ideas?

I don't have a smart trainer with which to try it, but I was under the impression that many of the better GPS units out there will control a smart trainer. Assuming that you have a Wahoo/Garmin, I'd look in to that possibility.

You are correct! Thank you for pointing that out. I didn't know my Garmin 820 had that feature. I can load and follow stored workouts, activities, and courses. I will have to give that a try.

I'm not sure how to apply this in a way that's helpful to you, but just in case it does: My old CompuTrainer is completely internet independent. The trainer connects to my computer via USB (serial to USB adapter) and the accompanying software that I downloaded from them is completely self contained.

Doesn't Golden Cheetah do this? I don't have a trainer so I've never tried.

So there are different ways to use zwift. The first is to ride for fun (various courses, races, social, etc) and the second is to actually incorporate a structured training regiment within it. Although there are training plans in zwift, I often incorporate my own while riding on a course of my choosing. If you are smart about it, the indoor training will make you a much stronger rider. Indoor training is convenient, efficient, focused, and you are in control of the conditions. 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. Sounds like you are looking for something like Sufferfest, but it comes with a subscription as well.....so the question is how do you incorporate that training aspect into a platform you are already subscribed to. I'm also on smart rollers, so I'm actually riding my bike and don't have the artificiality of a fixed in trainer.

My impression was that GC could do this.

Yep. Best option.

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.

+1 for bike handling skills from riding outdoors being important.

Rollers .. you have to pay attention ..

You could look into BIgRingVR or VeloReality These use video of a route and then change your trainer slope accordingly. You do have to buy and download the videos though.

Computrainer?

Like this:

You can make intervals in Garmin connect and load on a Garmin bike computer to control the trainer, or just make them on your head unit. Pretty easy to do really

Oh, Kool. I found the workout function in GC. How do you use it to control the smart trainer, ie adjust the power settings ?

After creating your workout program, find your smart trainer on your garmin head unit and start your workout on the head unit. I suggest warm up and cool down with time only, no target.

Thanks, so the Smart trainer will respond to power and set resistance ? My Tacx Smart trainer has ANT+ and Bluetooth, so I'm guessing the unit will show up as Taxc or something similar ? KB

Yep, on my Elite Drivo there is the power meter and the trainer to hook up to, you will want to hook to both if you see the same. Just start pedaling and search for new sensors, should show up right away.