Road cycling beginners: Do beginners really need a trainer?

Your first summer on a road bike is brilliant. The after-work ride becomes a habit, and the weekend rides get longer and longer. But suddenly the conditions change: it gets dark earlier, dawn comes later, and when you finally find a window of time for a ride, it’s often raining. By now, at the very latest, many beginners are asking themselves the same question: do I need a trainer for the winter?

The short answer is: not necessarily. Whilst indoor training is an integral part of the winter for some cyclists, for others buying the equipment can quickly turn out to be an expensive mistake.

What speaks in favour of the role

The biggest advantage is obvious: you’re not dependent on the weather. Whether it’s rain, a storm or temperatures just above freezing, you can train at any time. Those with limited time benefit from this in particular. An hour on the trainer is much easier to fit into your daily routine than a two-hour ride, including getting changed, cleaning your bike and travelling to and from the ride.

Then there’s the question of efficiency. On the road, traffic lights, traffic and descents regularly cause interruptions. On a trainer, on the other hand, you pedal continuously. That’s why even short sessions can be structured in a very targeted way.

Modern platforms such as Zwift, Rouvy and MyWhoosh have made indoor training even more appealing. Virtual races, routes and training programmes are designed to boost motivation and add a bit of variety to the monotonous pedalling.

The downsides of indoor training

Despite all the technical possibilities, it ultimately comes down to one thing: a stationary bike. For many road cyclists, that is precisely the sticking point. After all, the real appeal of the sport lies in being outdoors. The scenery, the feeling of speed, a quick coffee break or a ride with friends are all things that are difficult to replicate digitally. Even gamification has its limits. Whilst some cyclists find virtual worlds enjoyable, others lose interest after just a few weeks.

Then there is the financial aspect. Good smart trainers can easily cost several hundred euros, and on top of that you might need a mat, a fan and paid-for training platforms. It’s an investment that’s only worthwhile if the equipment is used regularly. That’s why quite a few trainers end up gathering dust in a corner of the cellar at some point, after the initial enthusiasm has worn off.

My decision not to take the role

I, too, found myself wondering whether I should get a roller for the winter. In the end, I decided against it. The main reason is simple: I don’t ride a road bike to train as efficiently as possible, but because I enjoy riding outdoors. Of course, I’m also pleased when I complete my local loop faster and faster as the season progresses, or when I get less out of breath doing so, but that’s rather secondary. The journey is the destination – and, of course, the next café ;-). Beautiful scenery, little adventures and the freedom of cycling are more important to me than performance metrics or structured training plans.

Added to this were the experiences of friends and colleagues. Whilst many talk about the benefits of roller skiing, the same comment often comes up: “It’s practical – I can maintain and improve my performance – but it’s nowhere near as much fun as skiing outdoors.”

For someone with less sporting ambition, it doesn’t quite add up to me. Spending several hundred euros to cycle up a virtual mountain in my living room didn’t seem particularly appealing to me. And yet, to be honest, I’ve never actually tried it. Perhaps an indoor training session at a friend’s house might change my mind...

The alternative: A more relaxed way to get through the winter

For me, though, winter looks like this until then: as I haven’t got any races planned, I don’t need to be in peak condition come spring and can relax and take it easy – even during a week of non-stop rain – without feeling guilty. Alternatively, I’ll go for a run or do some indoor exercise (I’ve also been caught up in the padel craze...). On dry days, I’ll dig out my long cycling tights and go for a leisurely ride, without worrying that I’ll have to perform at my best again any time soon. Even so, you stay fit and, as experience shows, build a solid foundation for the next cycling season.

You might lose a few per cent of your fitness over the winter months. For most amateur cyclists, however, this isn’t a problem. After all, enjoying the sport should be more important than any FTP figure. And so sometimes the best winter strategy is simply to leave the road bike in the garage, try out other sports and look forward to the first warm days of spring.