Rouvy - worth the bother for virtual rides?

[mecheng89]

Good morning Hubland,

 

One more sleep until Friday, yay!

 

I've always been interested in riding real routes indoor. Yeah sure, call me lame, call me whatever you like, but I think it's a pretty useful training tool. I don't live anywhere near CPT, but what if I want to ride up Chappies? 

 

Anyway, I've heard of software called Rouvy where, naturally, for a fee you can sign up and it gives you the opportunity to do these kinds of rides.

 

Who has tried it before, and does it work? Can I import rides I've done before? 

[HdB]

Good morning Hubland,

 

One more sleep until Friday, yay!

 

I've always been interested in riding real routes indoor. Yeah sure, call me lame, call me whatever you like, but I think it's a pretty useful training tool. I don't live anywhere near CPT, but what if I want to ride up Chappies? 

 

Anyway, I've heard of software called Rouvy where, naturally, for a fee you can sign up and it gives you the opportunity to do these kinds of rides.

 

Who has tried it before, and does it work? Can I import rides I've done before? 

 

With Rouvy (previously VirtualTraining) you can ride real routes, yes. With video of the route, where available. You can also create your own routes manually, or (if I remember correctly) by importing a gpx or similar file of a route. If you have the equipment, you can add video to your created routes too.

 

Plus virtual racing on routes, structured workouts (which again you can create your own).

Unlike Zwift though, with the racing you are just chasing other dots on the map, but it is still $%&!@ hard.

 

I've subscribed to the Premium level, so my wife can also use it.

 

Edit: Also, at least for me the Rouvy android app crashes a LOT less than the pathetic Tacx free app.

Edited April 5, 2018 by HdB

[SwissVan]

Good morning Hubland,

 

One more sleep until Friday, yay!

 

I've always been interested in riding real routes indoor. Yeah sure, call me lame, call me whatever you like, but I think it's a pretty useful training tool. I don't live anywhere near CPT, but what if I want to ride up Chappies?

 

Anyway, I've heard of software called Rouvy where, naturally, for a fee you can sign up and it gives you the opportunity to do these kinds of rides.

 

Who has tried it before, and does it work? Can I import rides I've done before?

Short answer YES

 

I’ve been subscribing (premium subscription) for a few years now.

You can import any route you have ridden from a gps recorded route, or you can create a route from a map using their route creator/ editor tool. Although it is easier to simply upload a route from your ride or someone else’s ride.

 

They also have a lot of high quality routes and workouts available to choose from.

 

I don’t recall exactly how much $ it costs each month but IMO it is definetly worth it.

 

Edit: I’m using the desktop app with an old windows 7 laptop combined with a power beam trainer, works just great no software/ hardware crashes.

Edited April 5, 2018 by SwissVan

[L46]

Hi,

 

It works perfectly fine, lots of routes available to download and yes you can create your own. (Videos best recorded from a following vehicle). You can use google streetview as the video but I've tried that once before and it's not really smooth.  Anyway lots of other HD Video's available.  (The Team Cannondale Blend ride goes over chappies for instance).

 

Cool thing is you download the video once and thereafter you don't need to be connected to the internet to ride it (For instance if you have weak wifi or no wifi at home).  You can also create your own intervals and save it on your profile.

 

Bad thing is there is no interaction with other riders like on zwift for instance.  You can only see their dots if you join a race.  If you get bored easily the user interaction of zwift adds another element to virtual riding that is determined by other riders which keeps it interesting.  You can also turn where you want and turn around etc.  For me Zwift is currently in the lead when it comes to sustainable progress.  For Rouvy you'll look at the video for the first few times but thereafter it's only the numbers that's of interest.

 

If you're looking for a training interval tool or riding the odd "real" video, Rouvy is perfect.

 

If you want to race against others, join group rides, interact with others, do fun training intervals etc. I'd rather go for zwift.

[Help.Me.]

Will the workout be the same if you do the virtual route compared to the outside route? Will it be different on a smart trainer compared to an ordinary trainer ? 

[mecheng89]

Hi,

 

It works perfectly fine, lots of routes available to download and yes you can create your own. (Videos best recorded from a following vehicle). You can use google streetview as the video but I've tried that once before and it's not really smooth.  Anyway lots of other HD Video's available.  (The Team Cannondale Blend ride goes over chappies for instance).

 

Cool thing is you download the video once and thereafter you don't need to be connected to the internet to ride it (For instance if you have weak wifi or no wifi at home).  You can also create your own intervals and save it on your profile.

 

Bad thing is there is no interaction with other riders like on zwift for instance.  You can only see their dots if you join a race.  If you get bored easily the user interaction of zwift adds another element to virtual riding that is determined by other riders which keeps it interesting.  You can also turn where you want and turn around etc.  For me Zwift is currently in the lead when it comes to sustainable progress.  For Rouvy you'll look at the video for the first few times but thereafter it's only the numbers that's of interest.

 

If you're looking for a training interval tool or riding the odd "real" video, Rouvy is perfect.

 

If you want to race against others, join group rides, interact with others, do fun training intervals etc. I'd rather go for zwift.

Lekker Wollie.

 

Don't have the hardware to run Zwift at the moment, so it's not a possibility anyway.

 

Structured training is sorted with TrainerRoad. I want to ride "real" routes, but I think what you're getting at with the video might get a bit old I'll just have to deal with if I sign up for premium. 

Edited April 5, 2018 by mecheng89

[L46]

Will the workout be the same if you do the virtual route compared to the outside route? Will it be different on a smart trainer compared to an ordinary trainer ? 

 

Depends on how well the video was synced with the ride data and also smoothing (so that you're not riding 50kph on an uphill doing 100W for instance and not changing gears every second).  Generally it's not an issue if you download routes that's well rated and not done by a complete rookie.

 

I tend to find it's pretty close to the actual time/workout in terms of climbing a specific hill for instance, although I don't get out of the saddle on the trainer and you don't change body position so in that sense indoor can be tougher.  There's also no stopping for red lights etc so the effort is constant.

 

Smart trainer adjusts resistance automatically when the road grade changes and you need to change gear accordingly.  Don't think ordinary trainers is that user friendly.

[L46]

Lekker Wollie.

 

Don't have the hardware to run Zwift at the moment, so it's not a possibility anyway.

 

Structured training is sorted with TrainerRoad. I want to ride "real" routes, but I think what you're getting at with the video might get a bit old I'll just have to deal with if I sign up for premium. 

 

Yes yes, 

 

I wouldn't move from Trainerroad to Rouvy just for the routes, you get used to the video quite quickly.

[mecheng89]

Will the workout be the same if you do the virtual route compared to the outside route? Will it be different on a smart trainer compared to an ordinary trainer ? 

Will the workout be the same - never. Heat and wind conditions are not considered during indoor riding. Perhaps you have a tail wind which makes it easier to go up the hill  .

 

Smart trainer adjusts the resistance for you, whereas ordinary trainers do not. 

[mecheng89]

Yes yes, 

 

I wouldn't move from Trainerroad to Rouvy just for the routes, you get used to the video quite quickly.

Not moving. Will keep my subscription for TR active and add Rouvy.

[HdB]

Not moving. Will keep my subscription for TR active and add Rouvy.

 

A comparison between the two would be interesting, once you've had some time with both, in terms of the structured workouts.

 

In terms of the routes, I just like doing the long climbs. Even though my trainer cannot simulate the steep gradients properly, climbing for an hour is something that is rather hard to do in Bloem...

[SwissVan]

Personaly I don’t pay much attention to the videos and minimise them, I prefer to see the stats, route profile and map view. I’m always watching a film or series instead.

 

I have various routes that I ride for real outdoors saved as indoor routes, if I have to compare the same ride i would say the indoor routes on the trainer feel slightly easier. But the difference is not significant, you still can *** off.....

[HdB]

So I see Rouvy has announced a "Augmented Reality" addition to their platform:

https://rouvy.com/en/augmented-reality

 

Currently in private beta, but certainly looks interesting. If it works with races, it will make a nice change from chasing dots on a map

 

I think they are sending invites for people using the Windows platform first.

It will be interesting to see how well the 3D combines with the route videos, hopefully they don't take too long before sending out invites for Android or iOS users as well.

[Grey Hubs]

So I see Rouvy has announced a "Augmented Reality" addition to their platform:

https://rouvy.com/en/augmented-reality

 

Currently in private beta, but certainly looks interesting. If it works with races, it will make a nice change from chasing dots on a map

 

I think they are sending invites for people using the Windows platform first.

It will be interesting to see how well the 3D combines with the route videos, hopefully they don't take too long before sending out invites for Android or iOS users as well.

Looks interesting, I've requested an invite...

[fanievb]

think i must give it a try again, pricing is cheaper than the anticipated Zwift increase

[Grey Hubs]

think i must give it a try again, pricing is cheaper than the anticipated Zwift increase

Find a few friends, get Premium and share the cost between 3!