Just started using TR and I’m really enjoying it. In the winter, I would like to mix in some Nordic skiing for general fitness, but I wasnt sure to what extent those efforts do or dont add to my cycling TSS. Obviously there some overlap in the muscle groups being used with Nordic skiing and cycling, but is TSS more than just a matter of fatigue for specific muscle groups? Obviously skiing is taxing the upper body, core, and one feels general fatigue after skiing, but is that going to push me into overtraining on the bike?
I don’t have an answer, but I found a couple of threads via search that may be worth a look:
https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/search?q=nordic%20ski
I have casually Nordic Ski once a week while on a 5 day TR training plan and found no ill affect.
james
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Thanks these are helpful especially the thread on compensating for TSS. Although I know that I mentioned Nordic skiing, I think my real question is the more conceptual about TSS and whether training stress is simply cumulative or more specific to a certain type of activity?
Your question on how external activities’ affects TSS is a logical and frequent one. And it’s not just limited to Nordic skiing… could be walking with groceries up stairs, running for the train, mowing the garden…
There’s no “grand unifying theory of everything” for TSS.
Unless you’re paid to ride your bike I wouldn’t worry about trying to unlock one in your basement either 
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I think you’ll find it’s not quite a simple an answer as it might seem. There’s definitely overlap just like with any endurance sport (heart, lungs, mitochondria) but it’s not the same because many contributors of performance like e.g. movement patterns very specific to the activity.
FWIW, most people recommend to reduce cross training as you move further from general prep and closer to your performance goal, although it doesn’t mean you need to stop fully, just be smart about it.
Personal experience, when I cross train I use RPE to match up to the goal of the workout I’m substituting. Cant really use duration or TSS because for example, I can ride a bike five hours but I can’t run that long. Then I track hrTSS (just to memorialize what I’m doing for future reference) but I don’t really worry too much if it’s lower or higher than it “should” be
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