For someone like me who is stuck indoors for many winter months, I think the Computrainer (CT) is a great tool--especially when you couple it with something like the Endurance Nation training protocol. A few observations:
1. I don't really like a lot of the courses that come with the CT (they're just weird somehow and don't ride "right" IMO), BUT I have several custom ones that we entered manually that I've done lots of solid "riding" on. (If anyone wants them, just ask.)
2. If you don't ride courses just for the sake of saying "I rode IM Australia," but use the courses as opportunities to ride with power, the CT provides a lot of value. I practiced a lot this winter keeping watts steady no matter the terrain. I was fully versed when I got out on the road today for the fist time in six months (!) about what I had to do to keep the proper ranges going, especially on the downhills. I also felt familiar with not blowing myself up on the inclines either. Nice and steady, nice and even.
3. Because I rode on varying "terrains" inside all winter, I got used to doing the watt "averaging" in my head. You have to get a sense of how to do that in order to get the intervals where they need to be since the power naturally rolls up and down.
4. I also did not have to spend a couple of weeks getting my "road legs back," an issue I had with early season rides in years past. I felt as if I hadn't missed a day outside.
