The Wahoo Kickr has been living under on our roofed terrace for a week now, and I've managed two proper sessions so far. Jeroen's warning about indoor trainers being psychologically different is starting to make sense, though I haven't hit the wall yet whatsoever. Two sessions hardly makes me an expert, but there are already some clear patterns emerging.

The heat

The heat is real. Even sitting outside, I'm drenched within the first 30 minutes. The lack of airflow makes everything feel way more intense. Although yesterday night it was only 14C, and it was much better than the day, when it was still close to 20C and I was so soaked it was like I came straight from the pool. With autumn and winter surely having lower temperatures, I don't think it will be a big thing going forward, but men, I was hot two days ago!

I wasn't into riding in virtual Zwift worlds yet, so I decided to watch Jasper Verkuijl's Cape Epic documentary to help pass the time, and there's something satisfying about watching Jhim tackle those South African climbs while I'm grinding out my own efforts. It keeps the connection to the actual event alive, even when I'm pedaling to nowhere.

The convenience

I'll admit, the convenience is hard to argue with. With my wife out for work travel it would normally mean missed training sessions, but now I can knock out a solid two hours after the girls are in bed. No gear prep, no route planning, just clip in and go. It's efficient in a way that outdoor riding rarely is.

But efficiency isn't everything. Two sessions in, and I'm already aware of what's missing - the natural rhythm changes, the varied scenery, the simple pleasure of actually going somewhere. The trainer delivers the training stress without much of the joy that usually comes with it.

The mental game

So far, my body is handling these sessions fine. The steady power output feels controlled and purposeful. But I keep thinking about what happens when this becomes my primary training mode for months. Will the novelty of Cape Epic videos, or any video whatsoever wear off? Will I then revert to riding Zwift worlds?

Two sessions is nothing. The real test comes when it's session 20, it's dark and wet outside, and I'm looking at another two-hour block on the trainer. That's when Jeroen's warnings will probably come back to me😄

Looking ahead

With 188 days until the Cape Epic, I know these trainer sessions are going to become a bigger part of my preparation. The Dutch winter doesn't leave much choice. Right now, it feels manageable - even productive. The heat was annoying in my first session, but probably more tolerable going forward, the setup works, and I'm getting quality training time.

But I'm realistic about what's coming. The novelty will fade, the sessions will feel longer, and the psychological challenge will grow. The key will be figuring out how to maintain motivation when the trainer stops feeling like a useful tool and starts feeling like a chore.

For now, though, it's working. The Cape Epic demands fitness, and the trainer delivers that regardless of weather, daylight, or family schedules. Whether I'll still feel this way in January when I'm deep into my 50th session remains to be seen, but let's consider that a challenge on it's own 😉

The honeymoon period with new training equipment never lasts forever. Until we get to that point....Keep Chasing!