Before smart trainers and quality indoor cycling apps, almost no one chose to ride indoors. If you had base training on the schedule you just went out and rode no matter the weather. If you had intervals you probably had a favourite flat place with low traffic and no traffic lights or you might have a favourite hill. A chosen hill-repeats hill, or one that was simply long enough to do common effort lengths was also something you'd see discussed among cyclists in every area. When winter hit it was either layer-up and bear it, or take a break and switch sports until the weather changed enough to allow outside riding again.
At some point rollers and magnetic trainers gained popularity and at that point, indoor riding was almost a punishment. No one chose to ride indoors unless it was a necessity. You'd look out the window and see the weather then try to mentally calculate what was going to be the lesser of two evils. The question was always, would you rather deal with the cold outside or the boredom inside?
