adamt

Ive been locked to my KK for the last two months (spinervals and big gear cadence) and finally got my bike out on the road today.

2 things

1) Holy crap. I got a lot stronger! My cruising speed used to be around 16 - I was at 19.5 most of the time today and that was without getting into a rhythm. The hills I used to have a tough time on - I went up without a hitch - not even huffin and puffin.

2) It feels like I'm learning to ride all over again! My balance went the sh@$! Took me about five miles to be able to apply force evenly. the trainer really takes that balance bit away from ya. Not used to the momentum - forward, or side to side. and brakes - yeah - I have to use those now.

anyway..I wanted to say that here at bf because nobody else around me would have any idea what im talking about.

dysFTP

WTF is "cruising speed"? Is that a fixie term?

adamt

well - when commuting - I call cruising speed the speed you go when you are between lights and able to ride - rather than starting, slowing, braking, weaving, etc.

ridethecliche

Like a fixed gear, you can't coast on a trainer.
This really helps you honest and makes you feel stronger. Good on you for training and getting out and seeing the benefits.

Keep at it!

trinity000

I love my KK but i also supplement with Rollers, i ride both when:
a) it is dark and i don't trust farmers to see me while i ride at night in my car, never mind my bike
b) it is cold and i am being a wussy, or to lazy to buy tights or
c) i am being lazy.

adamt

hence my two months on the trainer... I decided to htfu

trinity000

The rollers did wonders for my pedal stroke, and used as supplement to the trainer i haven't lost much. Then again even in January here i can still get out on the road on the weekends (mid-day is still 65+ for the most part)

jrobe

I live on my KK with Spinervals all winter and agree with your 2 conclusions.

A couple months ago I ordered the Carmichael Training Systems Progressive Power DVD's - a 2 month power building program by Lance A's coach (16 workouts on 5 DVD's). Holy S___. These are definitely a step up from Spinervals. My power output on my Powertap has been increasing significantly with these.

adamt

Carmichael Training Systems Progressive Power

I was looking at that set! It looked like a great way to organize my trainer time. Clear goals etc...

Dubbayoo

This has been a big benefit for me. I used to coast a lot on the road, maybe 10-15% of the time, until I started riding a trainer a lot. I do find I don't thrash the bars out of the saddle as much on the road, which could be a negative in a hard effort.

ridethecliche

I haven't had that issue dubbayoo.

I don't like sprinting on the trainer.

Give me a few mins on the bike outside and I'll be throwing it around again without issue

Pendergast

Just watched the sample clip from that series. That's a big change in coaching style from the CTS Time Trial DVD that I have (and for the better, IMHO.) Three 1 hour workouts per DVD seems like very good value, too.

dark13star

I like my KK, but I am definitely a weaker climber than I was at the end of last season. I just did a familiar climb for the first time of the year and I was 2 minutes slower to my first check-point (Lookout Mountain to Buffalo Bill's Grave for those who know it). That said, I would have been a lot slower if it weren't for the trainer.

I only tend to do 1 hour sessions on the trainer. Compared to a 15-20 hrs of climbing per week in the summer, I can't make progress on the trainer. It is more about mitigating the loss.

Congrats on your progress.

dmb2786

haha, i coast on the trainer. i hate that damn thing! i don't use it unless i'm feeling very motivated.

rollers are the answer

Smallguy

do you train with a power Tap or the KK power meter

I read a thread where someone said the power series was useless if you do not have a power tap or similar advice and was wondering if you feel the same or if that was an exaggeration

jrobe

I have a Powertap but you could easily do the CTS Progressive Power series with just a HR monitor or just by using the speed on a KK trainer. My Powertap readings correlate very well with the KK power to speed chart (on KK's web site).