1.) It’s a chance to workout equipment, nutrition and hydration issues that you can’t replicate indoors. Insoles, chamois, bibs, gloves, hydration packs start to feel a lot different after 4 hours of riding. Figure it out before the ride.
2.) Steep climbs hit muscles at different angles and intensities than a stationary trainer does. Especially on steep climbs such as you might see in a mtb race. Doing that to your muscles, imo, leads to cramping.
3.) I’ve come to believe training exclusively indoors dulls my ability to pace. Especially on a hilly course. I think this is worse for bigger riders.
