I posted this on my FB page but thought it may stir some comments from the vast array of talent here.
“Well I have done 1 whole ride now, which makes me an expert on RGT. I had to use the gears a lot, unlike systm workouts where everything is much smoother. Some changes of gradient caught me out and I found myself either riding at AC level and fading or cadence dropping to 50 and chugging.So it was very much how things go on the road for me. Give me a session that says do this or that for a few minutes at so and so cadence and I do it, but this does not translate over to the road very well , so RGT may well be a better platform for me to train on , while systm is much better at going for specific metrics.”
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I think that’s the whole point isn’t it? Implement a training plan using SYSTM for interesting and engaging workouts that will improve your metrics. Your improvements will translate to speed on the road or higher endurance for climbs. You can even test it on RGT by repeating a road or route at the midpoint or endpoint of a plan.
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That was the point, translating to the road was harder than I imagined, I suppose the pro ride series is as close to road riding we get on systm
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Indeed.
I think it’s one of those aspects that is easily overlooked.
SYSTM / Sufferfest are an exceptionally good fitness platform, but they are only one component of a cycling performance training regime.
Outdoor cycling rarely conforms to really nice intervals and recoveries.
On top of that, outdoor cycling is physically more demanding, or at least differently demanding to being on a completely static trainer, there are a whole bunch of stabilising muscles that are engaged differently outdoors to in.
You can get close with a Kickr Bike/Climb combined with a fore-aft/side-side rocker plate so the bike starts to move a lot more organically, like it does on an outdoor ride. That will help SYSTM work you far more like an outdoor workout and RGT (or any cycling “simulation”) is also useful on the days you can’t get outside to get a more dynamic workout.
I love Sufferfest / SYSTM, but it must be viewed as a tool for cycling / fitness training, not a complete “cycling solution”.
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I sorta get it. But , you’re saying that maybe RGT would be a better platform for you to train on. I’m not necessarily saying it isn’t. I’m just not sure how you would train on it? What would you do that you’re not otherwise doing in SYSTM? Is it that you need to use your gears and shift when riding in RGT? If that’s the case then maybe you’d benefit from doing more workouts in level mode?
I’m genuinely curious here @alchurch. I’m not just being critical of what you’re saying. I know people who just can’t get into indoor training so they do intervals outdoors on safer lower traffic roads where the terrain is suitable or they do hill training on actual hills. Is this what you’re suggesting you’d do in RGT?
I can do systm workouts to the best of my ability, all the targets are known, and at my level, I have become good at doing them. On the road, I find it much more difficult to find a rhythm changes of gradient throw me off track easily. As this is how my ride on RGT went, I theorised that practicing riding in a rhythm on unpredictable terrain would be the key to helping me out on the road
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You said it much better than I did Jon