TrainerRoad

Ok so I have NO self control!!!!  I have my last race next Sunday and told myself I wouldn't play with this until after that..................

So I just did my first ride---SUPER EASY!!!  Downloaded the "stuff" and hit pair to HR monitor and PowerTap---done in a few seconds, picked a "work out" and away I went...........  I'm now a slave to the little green bar!!!  I can definitely see myself using this for all my trainer sessions----especially being able to input Jorge's winter cycling plan!

Looks like a great idea and great app.

Although in all honesty, as much as I love the concept (and execution), this doesn't offer a lot more to me than using my Garmin 305 with speed sensor, set on "indoor" mode. You just look at the garmin for your speed, which scales to your power output (both KK and Cycleops have formulas to convert speed to power - they're very consistent.) Just put up the speed-power chart in big font on the wall, and you'll be able to get your power reading very quickly - without an extra laptop or ANT+ device. You can also download it after and do all that good SportTracks or TrainingCenter analysis. 

ALthough the big-screen display is pretty sweet. I'm really sold on the fluid trainer as a 'poor man's computrainer' - I've been getting very solid reproducible numbers that totally lock with Chris Carmichael (LA's coach) HR percentages using it. (Like 100% correlation of estimate power and HR for the various intensities - not even off by 1%!)

Well I had typed a long response to it basically being a toy... but it disappeared once I hit submit...

So short version---I understand if you have the 305 BUT if you already have a powermeter and ANT+ thumbdrive thing then you have everything to make this "work."  It's like having a cheap CompuTrainer (without it controling resistance).  The whole speed/watts thing on KK trainers is great (I have one and have never used it...) but this is nice since you have workouts right there and after spending two winters doing Jorge's plan with just a trainer and PT I'm very excited to not have to think during the workout (ummm thinking doesn't work for me during more then a few of those workouts!!!!).

Not sure if you got your answer, but the GSC-10 is supposed to work with TrainerRoad according to a few of the comments at the end of the DC Rainmaker's blog on the app:

http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2011/09/inside-look-at-trainerroad-way-to-make.html

Steve

I'm not sure of the technical aspects involved with creating workouts for the TrainerRoad app, but wouldn't it be cool if Jorge's new (and last year's) workouts were available on it?  How do we make that happen?

Thanks,
Steve

Ok two things here---the garmin speed/cadence sensor works great with trainerroad---BUT you need a ANT+ stick (garmin makes one---$28.88 through amazon...).

Yeah it would/will be great to put Jorge's plan on here (that was my first thought when I saw it reviewed at Interbike!!).  Right now there is no writing work-outs BUT the guys creating the program have that on the list of things to do so hopefully sooner rather then later we can do just that (once you can I'll be more then happy to put the work-outs in the program and then they'll be there for everyone to use!).  I know there had been a survey they were doing at trainerroad about what you wanted to see NOW and you could vote---maybe if we all say "write your own workouts" then it will move up the roll out list

Thanks for the link.  This looks really cool and just tried it out.  I picked up a KK Trainer this week and already have the Cadence Sensor and Garmin ANT Stick (came with my 310xt).  I dont have a power meter so this is a nice way to simulate power, without having to cross reference a spreadsheet.

It was very easy to get going and I Think it will help make training inside a lot more interesting and focused.  I like that they already have a bunch of workouts to choose from, including a 20 min FTP Test.  Sure, you can use the spreadsheet and work off of speed, but this makes it easier and keeps track of everything for you.  Looking forward to doing a few workouts to really test it out.

Wow!  Why are there some Garmin ANT+ sticks being sold at half the cost of new ones on ebay?

You need a bike, trainer and then a speed/cadence that is ANT+ compatible.     You don't have to have a power meter.    You can select your trainer from a drop down list on the software, the key would be consistent on your tire pressure and tightness on your trainer.

I use a ibike power meter, even tho its not ANT+ I am going to try this out starting on Monday.    Be interesting to see how close they are to the same numbers.

You can indeed.

And it's real heart rate (as long as you have a HR strap.....)

My friend makes something similar. It's called TrainerMic.

It works through your computers microphone jack.

Interesting program.  I like that you can have virtual group rides.  The technology that it's based on seems very simple.  Have you tried it?  If so, what did you think of it?

It would be great if inexpensive virtual power programs like these catch on.  It might just bring down the prices of the hardware power meters.

Steve