https://www.rgtcycling.com/faq/ & Making GPX courses for RGT - Google Docs
The problem is “garbage in, garbage out” and no “automatic processing” would make it not true. GPXmagic’s quick click fix is far from perfect. It’s a great time saver but I would not trust it completely as I often experienced newly introduced “kinks” by the algorithm. Also it’s not the greatest when dealing with crappy DEM.
I know a fair number of TR users who use the free RGT version. One article states the free option will remain, but I wonder if that’s forever? If that free option goes away, I see mainly payed options for “entertainment” as the only ones remaining (video or virtual cycling, along with most streaming video services).
At that point, Wahoo X seems like a strong contender.
Sure, I get that there are greater complexities at the root here.
I just liken it to the PC world ages ago, where if you added or upgraded a hardware item in your box, you had to spend a bunch of time and effort to remove and install drivers and the like. Fast forward and we go to the “Plug & Play” world where it all just happened. Same stuff, just made easier and practically seamless to the user.
I see potential to push the Magic Road creation in a similar direction. Growing pains and all, but they really should do everything in their power to make it a single step operation whenever possible. Then prompt for help or even state that some files may not be appropriate and such.
In short, there is absolutely a better way to make this experience work.
I said it earlier in a post above but you should really try RGT races. They are great, accurate drafting and as close as you come to outside in a virtual setting.
I’ve done a couple
I just looked at System for the first time since Wahoo bought it. Not very impressed. From what I can tell they have a grand total of 4 Threshold workouts, which you can only find by searching on the word Threshold. Also, none of the cycling classes are a typical length. They are 53 minutes or 61 minutes or whatever. Odd. I also checked out the yoga videos and they don’t have a single one just focused on everything cyclists need…instead you have to pick a 10 minute glutes class, then a 10 minute hips class, etc. The Peloton yoga offerings are much better. I guess I’m spoiled, but I was expecting a drop downs with “45, 60, 75, 90 minutes” and “endurance, threshold, sweet spot, etc.” It’s probably all there, but the UI needs help. I was not previously a fan of the RGT graphics, so it’s probably not for me either, but I am looking forward to checking out Magic Roads. I have one processing now.
I know these are 1st world problems, but the truth is I spend several hours a week planning and riding, and I want these things to be simple and appealing to me, even if that costs more. I don’t pay for a gym membership and I’m willing to spend more for what I personally perceive as quality. I recognize not everyone can do that though, and that many prefer RGT to Zwift, so price will definitely be a factor. I can’t deny the cost is impressively low for the combination of RGT, Suf, Running, strength, and yoga.
Per BikeRadar, and just double-confirmed by Ray:
Yes, I just confirmed with Wahoo as well – and they stated the free version [of RGT] will remain.
The best way to try your magic road out is create a race, then add a few real bots in:
You can change the magic road style etc. in there as well:
Thank you for all your advice!!
Are those Threshold or “sub-threshold”?
Yes, there is no way RGT MRs survive the mass user experience without some auto-correction of uploaded GPX files. I have ridden some AWFUL MRs and it is a terrible experience.
Isn’t the issue there that garmin charges a big fee to companies to be able to do that and since RGT was small they didn’t want to spend money on that? Wahoo would have the money of course
For me, I think WX is appealing from an all in one solution when I can choose a plan and add the options for strength and/or yoga. It’s not that I can’t do those things on my own outside of a trainer road plan but it’s nice to just have it there in my calendar.
I’m a legacy TR user so don’t know if I’ll ever give that up and I still love all the TR workouts and their iPhone app.
A cool feature for WX would be for them to, as part of a plan, recommend some RGT races as a replacement workout.
This is similar to the Peleton model of “it just works,” and that was wildly successful during COVID lockdown. Will be interesting to see how this pans out. In general, real competition should be good for consumers by driving more features and/or reduced prices to hold/gain market share.
Cool I totally missed this, but it still leaves it all a bit fragmented, calender here, workout there e.t.c, but it will be interesting to see how Wahoo pull it all together, as I posted above, their release cycle for Sytm has been dire / none existant, with a lot of the features such as custom workouts not appearing BUT I wonder if some of this was down to the accusition of RGT and not wanting to have two workout editors/players, it will be interesting to see where they go, and it is (or rather could be) a bit of a market disrupter, if they get the two systems (and their head units) working together
First time for me. Looks nice, library a bit slim but a lot of workouts similar to those my coach prescribes (stuff similar to ‘FTP/MAP builds’ have been pure gold for me lately). Language is certainly different, but more accurate along with being able to actually use my real sprint power (NM), 1-min power (AC), 5-min power (MAP), and threshold (FTP). No weird WL/PL funny business trying to use FTP to targets, I like it. The HR zones align with what I’m using (WindWarrior™ combo of Friel and what works), and they say cTHR may vary +/- 3bpm. Yup. Not that I’m planning to move from outside to inside, but overall somewhat positive first impression. They have some work to do, looks like a good start.
You’re always so good at dropping acronyms that I don’t understand! 
I really do need to read up on all the new training lingo that is becoming more and more popular. I get lost any time we go beyond zones 1-7.
LOL that’s why I wrote the easy names first!
further decoding for @Pbase
(links added because I used google to check my spelling and found useful links.)
NM - neuromuscular
AC - anaerobic capacity
MAP - maximum aerobic power
FTP - functional threshold power
We’ll just pretend everyone agrees on what FTP is 
Search the forum if you want hundreds of posts on ‘what is FTP’…
(holds breath… hoping this doesn’t swing OT into another FTP topic)
