Huge congratulations to the Sufferfest team for Stage 5 (Tour of Norway). What a session.
Loved every second of it and came at just the right time in the tour. My motivation has been totally restored and I’m still bouncing off the session some two hours later. Brilliant.
The DoS interventions were great. Felt totally invested in Carl and trying to stay away from the peloton! Then changing up as things got close at the end!
Top work everyone 
Honestly - no real idea if there was a video on, but got through it somehow. a 50hr day rest day didn’t help the legs.
Looking fwd to doing this outside the ToS so can ‘take part’ I think
Enjoyed that and not too difficult. I kept finding myself checking my power output in response to the frequent and sudden changes … on balance I think I prefer Team Scream as it’s just as immersive and slightly more structured.
Great ride though and starting to look forward to completing the Tour strongly.
So.
I didnt hate it (not all of it anyway), but I also didn’t ride it at all. I mean obvs I did, I completed the stage but I don’t feel like I did the same workout as every body else.
I’m on a dumb trainer on my battered old road bike, my poor bike (as mentioned yesterday) doesnt cope with rapid gear changes AT ALL. Switching from my small big gear to my big big gear (as you can tell I’m very mechanically knowledgeable) takes many many attempts and often a little peddle ‘hop’ so down switching just wasn’t an option which meant all my ‘low’ sections were done at just below threshold. Then by the time I got up to the high sections I’d missed a low so for any high low high bits I just stayed high. The super rapid changes coupled with the lack of sound effects for me meant spending the whole ride staring at the power targets. I think I looked at the actual video footage maybe 4 times? and every time I did there was just a big blue bum tagged with a lidl badge! though I suppose that is pretty realistic for a proper race…
I’m not complaining, I had an acceptable work out but for me, it wasn’t immersive. I feel like I haven’t actually done a stage today you know? a bit flat, like it didn’t quite hit the spot for me. Might try get the next stage in later today to make up for it.
All that being said, I imagine it was pretty fun on a smart bike so well played to the dev team.
Congrats all, onto the next
Still going on the nuclear settings (helps that I can’t reach the keyboard from the bike) but I have to say this one was an absolute pleasure as its well matched with my attacker 4DP profile (even on tired legs). Really enjoyed the race style experience and as others have said it makes you forget about any fatigue. GvA probably not happy that I enjoyed it … those micro recoveries really worked well for me … watching out for laser goats!!
a nice mixed power stage set on ERG - steady 90-95 cadence throughout. Felt easier after yesterday that’s for sure! Race style keeps it interesting and helps fight off any potential fatigue and boredom. Lots to enjoy on this stage.
The best video ever, what a ride.
Stage 5 nuclearised!!!
I had a lot of fun, looking at the time two times only, at minute 11 and 50’, I was too concentrated in keeping the wheels.
Two stages to go
I LOVE Norway! The minions have outdone themselves with this one. I’ve never been in a real road race but this makes me wish I hadn’t wasted my younger years on other silly stuff.
In all seriousness though, this is a fantastic concept and is the best possible advertisement for a KICKR smart trainer and a CLIMB. Chip should be pleased.
First time riding this one, and I loved it! I’ve never done a road race and the experience was really fun and fresh. Looking forward to coming back and trying this on 100% when my legs aren’t spent. 
As somebody said it here: this is the future of indoor training.
I loved this stage. very immersive and I felt quiet good. I don’t know if it was because I felt like a pro while being an average Joe, the under thresholds pace with spikes that suit my rider profile, or the ocnstant change that made the time fly, but I felt very good throughout.
I even tighten the shoes before the final sprint!
It was AWESOME! Looking forward to similar training styles.
I’m very happy today… tired but proud of me.
I’m still in nuclear mode after five days in my first TOS.
I really enjoyed Norway.The immersion is great, and the rhythm changes in ERG mode are realistic.
Congratulations Sufferfest Team !
Courage and strength for the remaining two days !
I sold my bike and booked a cruise already! 
Loved Norway… didn’t miss the music, could have lasted 2 hours 
Great prep for the final 2 stages
Com’oan Sufferlandrians, stay strong
Just finished Norway, loved it!
Thought the changes in effort were manageable up until about the half way point, then my legs started screaming!
I found myself staring in awe at some of the bikes (when I say some I really mean the Bianchi Oltre XR4, was that Van Aert?)
The on bike footage was great, it gave a really good feel of the race and positioning, I did say to myself at one point “There’s a gap, get into it before that guy on the left” at one point
Only downside is it made me miss open road racing!!
Just wait until the Virtual Reality headsets get good enough. Then you will be really immersed. Of course, then you will need the temperature and wind control in your room.
Somebody, invent the Holodeck.
As a field hockey player, this is the stage that (for me), more closely matches what I am used to (and probably best at), pace always changing, short bursts of acceleration, along with opportunities to take a bit of a break.
More like this please!
Yeah - without a smart trainer on ERG mode this would be horrible. I found it really good apart from the bit after the hill where you’re trying to keep things slow, and there’s a bit of ‘come on, I’ve got loads of energy left, let’s keep moving!’ but you realise that you don’t have that much control:)
I also found it a lot easier than I was expecting - at 100% with slightly tired legs, I still had plenty in the tank at the end. I had to remind myself that Carl had done the rest of the stage as well, not just the last 37km…
AWESOME!!!
Absolutely loved it, totally local group Ride but then indoor and shorter.
More of these please !!!
My OCD could totally handle the missing of the targets.
Next !!!
Great ride. Welcome change from a traditional structured training ride. Immersive. Didn’t look at the metrics but just surged and rolled as seemed appropriate. Although it did help to see the upcoming power spikes. This was also in a great spot in the Tour. I was mentally beat this morning. Having something new and engaging did the trick.
I found ERG mode to be fine. Was not seeking perfect matches to the power changes - felt natural. I started with my own music in the background but it cut out and I didn’t miss it at all.
Onward!! Let’s do this thing!!
Possibly my new favorite Sufferfest workout.
