Is it me or my fluid trainer?

Triathlon Forum
1

I own a crappy fluid trainer that I’ve been using to train consistently for the past 2 years, together with TrainerRoad (Virtual Power) and their plans.

Last year, around this exact time, I was pushing an FTP of 222Ws with about 5 hours a week of cycling on average and their Intermediate Build Plan. This year, I upped my training and also did their 70.3 Intermediate plan which has about 7-9 hours a week of training and my FTP is now only 197. My race results are still premature, but I believe I’m racing faster on the bike.

I’m trying to figure out why. My thoughts are that:

  1. My trainer’s resistance has changed with time?
  2. The program encourages more steady state training or less training above threshold?
  3. Magic?
  4. I train in my garage, so the temperature was hotter last year, decreasing resistance of the fluid trainer?
2

Get a Kurt Kinetic, they aren’t that expensive and I have had mine for 3 years, and over 3K hot or cold it never falters.

Maine has long winters and I ride a lot in the winter.

3

Use mine year round too in my garage. This winter it was so cold my cycling hat soaked up my sweat, froze and the brim cracked in half when I took it off!

4

Use mine year round too in my garage. This winter it was so cold my cycling hat soaked up my sweat, froze and the brim cracked in half when I took it off!

THAT IS F*%KING hard core!! I use mine in an unheated basement in the winter and once I get going the cool (about 55F) is actually nice.

5

Yep, once you get going is not bad. Biggest issue are my toes. Haven’t been able to find a way to keep them warm yet.