Perception or Reality?

[Windbreaker]

Here are a couple of questions for those who have a PM and want to think a bit ... or those that don't have to think about it 

 

a) Is it more difficult to generate a certain amount work on a trainer than it is to generate the same amount of work on the road. i.e. is it more difficult to ride @ threshold for 15 minutes on the trainer than it is on the road for the same period.

 

b) Is it more difficult to generate constant threshold power output at higher speed? i.e. is it easier to generate threshold power up a hill than on a flat for the same duration?

 

c) Is it more difficult to generate constant threshold power on the big ring even when using gearing that result in the same ratio (e.g 39/12 & 52/16)

 

If the answer to any of these is yes - then why? You'll have guessed that these are real issues with me.

 

I can do 2 x 15min intervals on the trainer and battle to maintain upper threshold. The second interval is markedly lower yet I can jump on the bike immediately and generate the same NP as the first interval on the road. The bike even feels lighter.

 

I really battle to maintain a high power output (upper threshold) for an extended period on the flat - say trying to jump a gap. Yet I can maintain upper threshold when climbing.

 

This i sreally the weird one. I swear that I can maintain a level of power on the small ring longer than I can on the big ring even though the ratios are the same AND the cadence is the same

 

So is it an issue of being conned by my sub-conscious??? Wouldn't surprise me I've been known to be a devious SOB

[BikeMax]

Brooooce ---where are you ?

 

I will let Bruce coment on the indoor Vs outdoor issue as he has a very good take on it and as an engineer he wil explain it well (you won;t understand it cos he is a tech head - but nevertheless he will explain it well)

 

All I will say is that it is a real issue that I feel does get less marked over time on the trainer (consistent as in a winter)

 

It is easier to generate power on a climb due to the constant and steady resistance - on a flat it is easier to let power drop as you tire or lose focus - on the clmb you have no choice and it is a smoother effort

 

Big ring Vs Small ring - in same gear and cadence..... you are losing it