Unboxing and first impressions.
Since Victoria is back in lock down for what must seem like a miniscule number of Covid cases to an international observer, now was a good time to explore indoor training apps. I had a one month free introduction to the Tacx app and didn’t think it worth paying up to continue it. This was mainly because I found the software rather clunky and that may be due to the adoption of Tacx into the Garmin family which may not be a natural fit. Specifically I didn’t find a way to share data with Strava without duplicating rides that were also recorded on my Garmin watch. That may be because of my weaknesses in dealing with the technology but Garmin sure haven’t made it easy to find the information you need.
Anyway after my permitted outdoor exercise yesterday morning I stopped thinking about RGT and got on to it. It doesn’t come in a box. You need to download two apps. One to your mobile device and one to whichever machine will show you the pictures. My mobile device is a Samsung phone. The screen is a Thunderbolt Display run from an Apple Laptop. The hardest part of getting the apps, pairing them with each other and then pairing up the heart rate monitor and the Tacx trainer was dealing with the Apple App Store which seems to reject my password every time I visit. The mobile app is the one you deal with, the screen app serves up a picture to watch as you ride. Behind the scene one of them controls the resistance offered by the trainer. The fact that one app was on an Apple the other on Samsung mattered not one bit.
Indoor cycling apps give you the opportunity to look at video (Tacx, Fulgaz, Rouvy) or simulate a ride in video game style (Zwift, RGT) or just show the numbers (Trainer Road, Sufferfest). All are subscription based although the Tacx and RGT package give you some service for nothing with RGT being a bit more generous.
RGT gives you the chance to join group rides and races. These happen in virtual reality but real time. You choose an event, book in and turn up at the appropriate time. You get an email reminder about one hour before the ride starts. Unless you pay for the premium version riding on your own or writing your own training session are not available. I found a suitable race and booked in for an 8pm start. By ten minutes to eight I was on the start line warming up – you can do this without riding into the guy in front (ain’t virtual reality wonderful). When the race starts your avatar starts to make progress and eventually you get to the finish line.
That’s me in the blue, I’d recognise me anywhere, surrounded by an international array of other avatars. That is standard issue kit, I think I can make some changes to the avatar but that jersey is pretty much the same colour as the Peaks Challenge jersey I’m hoping to win. I’ll have to change it if I don’t get one!
All the numbers are there. I’m ripping along at 7.3kph (up a 13.8% incline before you scoff) with 40km still to go. I’m putting out 245watts, my legs are going round and my heart is beating. My avatar is looking a good deal more composed than I was. At that stage I was in 129th position but I improved as time passed.
In the set up phase I asked the software to pass the data onto Strava which it did.
RGT incorporates some very smart features like drafting and slowing the avatar at sharp bends. It was easy to set up and enjoyable to use. I enjoyed the race format and responded in a competitive way (of course I did). I could take a two week free trial of the premium version but you have to sign up then opt out before it just starts taking your money. I’m always suspicious of such arrangements. In this part of Australia you can ride all year without too many interruptions from foul weather – I am an outdoor rider at heart – I doubt that the premium version would represent great value for me. If I were intending to do the bulk of my training inside it would certainly appeal.
bobmcgee 