Originally published at: TrainingPeaks Virtual Launches My Routes - Slowtwitch News
TrainingPeaks today officially launched its much-anticipated My Routes feature for the Virtual platform. Users now can create rideable routes out of any GPX file upload, meaning that you can bring your favorite roads (or ones you’re yet to explore in-person) onto the platform.
TrainingPeaks had announced My Routes as part of its launch of World Routes, where four of the great climbs across the globe were brought onto the system. Now it has expanded that access to all users, being able to upload any GPX file, whether from an export of data that you have ridden, or from mapping software like GPXplore.
The process to create one of the Routes is relatively straight forward. You first have to be a subscriber to TrainingPeaks Premium accounts; Virtual is free open up your TrainingPeaks account. Once on the calendar, you’ll now find the Routes Library icon on the right hand side underneath Workout Library and Training Plans.
When you click on the Routes Library, there’s an option to add a route. You’ll need to add a title for it, and then you can upload. For those looking to upload extremely long routes, just be aware: there’s a maximum file size of 10 megabytes. That being said, I exported my GPX file from the “new” IRONMAN Lake Placid bike course from 2024. The 111.7 mile ride was a 3 MB file.
Once you have saved your workout, it’ll now appear in your Routes Library. You’re now ready to open up TrainingPeaks Virtual to ride it.
Once you’ve hopped into TrainingPeaks Virtual, you have to schedule an event in order to actually ride the route. Note that the event has to be at least five minutes in the future from when you’re creating that event, so it’s not quite as simple as immediately uploading a file and starting a ride; you’ll have to plan ahead a little bit (or create the event and then finish getting your bottles / gear together). You also have the option for the event to be open to the public, or for users to require an access code. You can also have bots join to fill the start pen out, if you prefer not riding alone.
TrainingPeaks has also put together a video showing you how to upload a file and create your rideable event, which you can watch here.
Then, once done, simply join your event. TrainingPeaks winds up rendering some virtual scenery around your ride. For my Lake Placid route, it started us off in the mountains, before descending into greenery for the bulk of the ride, then climbing back up. It’s not a rendering of the actual course, per se, but it at least gives you the general sensation of what the trip out of town and the descent might feel like visually. Occasionally we wound up on snow early on, but otherwise, we kept to the tarmac.
Riding is, well, just like any other virtual platform. In other words, it does a good job mimicking resistance aligned with specific terrain. The one thing TP Virtual has on some of the other indoor cycling platforms is that the standard descending logic is better than some of the other ones; you’re not taking hairpin turns at 50+ MPH. Your avatar will actually slow down a bit before trying to make the corner.
Once you’re done riding, you save and exit, and it automatically syncs back over to your TrainingPeaks account for you (or your coach) to be able to analyze.
Overall, it’s a unique feature to be able to create and ride your own routes. Compared to the other major players in the space, there are limited real-world simulations out there, and they’re limited to the selections that are pre-built within the platform. Zwift, for instance, is fully plugged into its unique ride ecosystem, save the few monument climbs in the game. Rouvy, on the other hand, has hundreds of pre-built courses from around the world, including much of the IRONMAN brand portfolio. But to be able to take any route, and have it then build out some scenery for you to ride on a modern platform, is a great option.
It’s also the budget option, if you’re already paying for TrainingPeaks Premium, as it’s included with that level of subscription. That alone makes TP Virtual a compelling option for the upcoming indoor season.