Virtual Cycling
Virtual cycling is a growing fitness trend which is proving to be the
best development in cycling for many years. It has created a new
way in which the sport can be enjoyed by everyone and participation
has nearly tripled since 2019. Much of this interest has been driven
by technology which tracks performance and provides instant
feedback to motivate the cyclist.
Virtual cycling, along with social media, has increased interest in
the sport of cycling. New online platforms enable cyclists to play
games, train, race and socialize with people around the world, all
from the comfort of their home. In recent surveys, virtual cycling
ranked in the top 6 worldwide fitness trends.
Benefits
Another major benefit is safety. When riding indoors on a stationary
bike there is no traffic, dangerous roads or weather to contend with.
Heavy traffic, darkness and bad weather are often barriers to
engaging in cycling. Environmental factors such as extreme
temperatures and air pollution can also be more easily controlled
indoors.
For competing athletes this technology can replace the need to
travel to different locations to compete at major competitions. These
saves travelling time and costs. Coaching staff can assist athletes
remotely regardless of their location and the time zones involved.
This greater flexibility means athletes can train and compete in a
greater variety of settings than would otherwise be possible.
Drawbacks
There is a danger that some cyclists may push themselves beyond
their own safe physical limits and experience an adverse reaction
such as injury, nausea or fainting. Dehydration can also occur if
cycling indoors without sufficient intake of fluids and adequate air
flow for cooling. These are all potential dangers if cycling at home
without supervision or support. Data security is another issue as app
users provide large amounts of data which are at risk from hacking.
Cheating has become an issue in virtual cycling races as prize
money has increased the incentive to do well. During competitions
online platforms log the data from riders via power meters. Some
competitors have edited their power data logs to show a substantial
increase in power over the course of a race. These unrealistic data
logs have been identified as suspicious by automated control
systems. Other suspect activities have been the use of drugs to
enhance performance, recording incorrect weight information and
male riders competing in female races to earn points. Cheating is a
serious issue and a difficult one to control when riders are
competing remotely.
Equipment
Online training platforms monitor power, speed, pace and heart rate
using sensors on a bicycle set up as a static trainer. A smart phone,
tablet, computer or Smart TV are required to run the player, along
with a monthly subscription to a training app. The most popular
types of trainers are classic turbo trainers, smart trainers, free-
standing rollers or specially designed static indoor bicycles. All
devices allow pedaling whilst stationary. The pedals turn as normal
but the energy that would usually be used to push forwards is
transferred into the trainer itself. Turbo trainers are the most
popular and work with any bike. They vary in their level of
technology and the top ones are expensive. The minimum
requirement is a basic turbo trainer which clamps onto the rear
bicycle wheel. Smart bikes are dedicated to indoor cycling but are
very expensive.
Cycling is an excellent form of exercise and a highly effective way to
burn fat, improve fitness and tone muscle. Virtual cycling enables
nervous and inexperienced cyclists to participate in simulated races
in large groups without fear of accidents. They will also not have to
deal with the potentially intimidating experience of traveling to an
outdoor event and negotiating the start of a mass participation
event.
Smart turbo trainers use Bluetooth technology to interact with a
virtual cycling sports app. The top trainers are direct-drive which
involves removing the rear wheel of a standard bicycle and
attaching the bicycle chain directly to the trainer. These offer a
more realistic feel and are capable of simulating conditions such as
hill climbs, drafting and changes in the road surface. They also
record a wealth of performance data. Some virtual training
platforms utilize wearable technology such as virtual reality (VR)
headsets. These fully immerse the user in the virtual environment.
Virtual Cycling Apps
Virtual cycling applications have become very popular. They enable
cyclists to connect and ride together through virtual worlds. The
gaming nature of the app has the ability to motivate users and
distract them from the boredom and suffering of a hard indoor
workout. This can result in more prolonged or intense cycling.
Successful performance is often rewarded with points or special
currency that can be used to make purchases such as better bike
frames. Common video game features such as power-ups to improve
performance for a short period are also available. Cycling app
downloads and daily usage has increased dramatically in recent
years. The largest growth of downloads and daily usage has been
seen in India.
Global Cycle App
Growth
Region Daily Usage Download Growth
Asia Pacific 23% 45%
Europe 10% 23%
India 72% 137%
Middle East and 26% 52%
North Africa
Rest of the World 22% 40%
Americas 7% 19%
Data is collected from the trainer and processed by the app. The
effort the rider puts in is measured and the resistance is adjusted to
simulate cycling in the real world. The rider controls an avatar
whilst watching the game running on a computer screen. They must
pedal hard to make their avatar move faster to beat the competition.
New routes and training environments are being developed
continuously.
Nothing can beat cycling outside in a social environment
surrounded by nature and the elements. It is an invigorating and
healthy experience and has many physical, mental and social
benefits. It can have a calming effect and alleviate feelings of
depression and anxiety. Virtual cycling is set to complement outdoor
cycling but not replace it. Time on a turbo trainer paired with a
gaming experience is an ideal alternative when time is limited or the
weather prevents riding outside.
