Anyone using Cycleops VirtualTraining? I’ve been getting emails about their software updates (I don’t use it) and I am intrigued by the Google Earth displays of imported .gpx courses which could theoretically allow you to virtualride race courses using someone’s .gpx file (prior online reviews say the import is effortless.)
Just curious - I’m currently loving my Trainerroad/Fluid2 setup but indoor training’s going so well that an upgrade of my setup in the next year (or 6 months) is definitely going to happen, be it a Kickr or Powerbeam.
I just started using it and I’m loving it. I haven’t created any courses or workouts yet so I can’t comment on that. I’ve just been riding some of the courses with video and loading a virtual partner to race against, which has made riding the trainer a lot more fun. I’m using a Fluid 2 and a Powertap so I don’t have a Powerbeam. That would make it even better, but it’s pretty cool without the powerbeam.
They just released an update yesterday that allows for virtual racing so I’m anxious to try that out and see how that is.
I have a couple of friends using it with a Powerbeam and they love it.
I have played a little with it and recently talked with some employees of cycleops about it. A couple of downsides to “course simulation” is that it doesn’t take different course road conditions (effects rolling resistance) nor wind into account on a course, that being said it doesn’t do that for anyone so you are “racing” on sort of a level playing field (watts and weight are really all that maters to the calculations). They don’t say how drag is calculated but your input options are very limited to rider height/weight and bike weight/wheel circumference/gear ratios. Given the limited input the drag calcs are not going to be very accurate.
Bottom line it’s a fun way to train indoors and stay motivated, but as a real course simulation tool I don’t think it’s there yet. Hope that helps.
So with the Powertap setup, can you use the ANT+ connection for both data collection on a head unit (i.e. Garmin Edge 500) and a tablet/laptop for the “virtual” part?
Yes. That’s what I’m doing. I have an Edge 510 so that works as it normally does. I use the Ant+ stick to send my power data to the software so I see my power on my Garmin and on the TV screen (I hook my laptop up to the TV) and both collect the data. It’s working great and some of the videos are pretty good. They have IMWI, which was filmed on race day. There’s a route leaving from Asheville, NC on the Blue Ridge Parkway that I really liked. I’m tempted to ride that course again tonight because it was filmed on a nice, sunny day and since it’s so cold in WI this week I want to pretend I’m some place warmer.
Even on a Fluid trainer this is pretty entertaining, but it has me wanting a Powerbeam. Maybe next year.