MyWhoosh, the free-to-use virtual cycling platform, has announced a host of new updates to help enhance its indoor cycling experience. The latest updates follow recent virtual route expansions for Colombia and Australia, as well as the introduction of emotes and voice chat to the platform.
Global Segments
Segment data gives riders insight into their performance across certain stretches of road. Until now, this data has only been available during MyWhoosh events. Now, Global Segments are set up in all routes across free rides, events, and workout sessions, so users can look back at previous segment performance and measure their progress.
Rider segment data will also be made public for others to view and compete against, although MyWhoosh adds that all sensitive information will remain hidden.
Four new routes in Arabia World
Following the original launch of the Arabia World in January 2023, MyWhoosh is now expanding the world to include four new routes.
- Al Wathba is one of the most scenic destinations in the UAE, where riders can explore desert sculptures that have been naturally formed from wind-swept sand. Fans of Star Wars may recognize the landscape from the franchise’s 2015 instalment, ‘The Force Awakens’.
- Hudairiyat is a leisure and entertainment district which offers cycling tracks through parks, green spaces, and views of both the city and sea.
- Al Qudra is a cyclist-only asphalt track located away from the bustle of the city – seen as a bucket-list destination among fitness enthusiasts.
- The Yas Marina Circuit is better known as the home of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Riders can experience the same twists and turns as Formula One drivers who have graced the circuit since 2009.
New garage items
MyWhoosh is adding two new bikes to the platform’s virtual garage: the Ventum NS1 and Ventum GS1. According to the company, the NS1 from Ventum is built for road performance, prioritising speed and ride quality with its stiff, nimble, and responsive frame. Meanwhile… ‘The GS1 is a dynamic, exciting, and aesthetically beautiful bike, ready to take on any adventure in the MyWhoosh worlds.’
The garage is also now equipped with a new standard carbon gravel wheelset, which can be used for any in-app bike. MyWhoosh adds that this is a light, aerodynamic wheel designed for all-road performance.
Strava screenshots
Users can now upload, track, and share rides and experiences with friends in the Strava community using in-game screenshots of their MyWhoosh rides. Results will be automatically correlated to produce a real-time segment leaderboard.
A MyWhoosh spokesperson said “Innovation is one of the cornerstones of MyWhoosh, and it’s always a proud moment to see our hard work come to fruition.
“These exciting new features and updates have all been designed with our users in mind – we value their opinions and are constantly developing our platform to enhance their experience and inspire their cycling progress”.
All updates are ready to explore in the MyWhoosh app, available on iOS, Android and Windows.
Catch If You Can
In addition to new features on the platform, MyWhoosh has introduced further virtual racing opportunities for riders. Catch If You Can is billed as an inclusive race for riders of all levels. Taking place every Thursday, this is more about teamwork. Participants start at different times depending on their ability, with weaker groups starting at incremental intervals ahead of their stronger competitors.
Groups must work together to overtake the group in front of them, without being caught by the riders behind. FTP rankings will determine which group a rider is assigned to, and considered time gaps will ensure that every race ends with a sprint to the finish line.
There will be four groups competing across a 30km route, each starting approximately two minutes apart. Following the results of every event, these timings will be assessed and adjusted as necessary to maintain fair racing. Prizes will be awarded for the first three riders across the line, as well as the first finisher from each group.
Tune Up Tuesday
Following feedback from MyWhoosh users, the Tune Up Tuesday virtual race is aiming to become more dynamic, competitive, and inclusive. The event will now be more heavily weighted on points, which will be distributed to the fastest riders through every segment, the King/Queen of the Mountain, as well as the top finishers. At the end of each race, these points will be tallied to define the overall final rankings.
This new system, which will be trialled throughout June, will give riders of all abilities a greater chance to earn points and win prizes within their category.
