Great observations, @KorbenDallas.
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Interesting discussion on this topic here:
Fast Talk podcast, ep. 60: Rethinking the science of trainers
Personally, I feel a noticeably increased demand on my quads while riding on the trainer, especially during 10min+ muscle-endurance intervals near or above threshold. In my experience, the same interval on the road feels much more manageable, and my quads don’t feel overloaded. Maybe this means my quads are relatively undeveloped in comparison to other muscle groups? Or maybe it’s more related to the difference in biomechanics of riding outside vs indoor trainer?
Either way, it makes me wonder if there is any added benefit to doing these longer intervals on the trainer if I have a flat stretch of road where the same intervals could be completed, uninterrupted, at the same target power.
Anyone know if the same adaptations will be gained from these types of intervals if they are done at the same power, outside on the road?
@mcneese.chad Thanks for sharing. Great overview of the Fast Talk episode (which hasn’t scared me away from the trainer 
) though I’m more specifically interested in how training adaptations would compare for the same given effort done on the road vs indoors, as I seem to struggle with threshold and over-unders on the trainer.
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I think the comparison inside/outside is very worth review. I have some untested and documented opinions that I can share (as I know others can too) when I have more time.
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