yes the magic roads are good if you know where you are at as the scenery does not match what you would see outside. That is the trickiest part but it is very accurate to the route. I do zwift but get on RGT at times and do the free route. I don’t think that will still be the case now.
Edit: but the racing is where it is at with RGT and drafting is so good. Personally this is great as if Wahoo can up RGT’s game in all areas and give it more love I will let Zwift go.
They should indeed 
They said on one of their podcasts that they were already doing some R&D on this, so hopefully magic roads will display scenery that’s much closer to the real life route at some point in the future (hopefully sooner now they’ve got all this investment!).
I just want to hit on a single point here, pricing:
Wahoo X = $14.99 USD per Month
$129 USD per Year, $10.75 USD per Month equivalent
Zwift = $14.99 USD per Month (no discount options)
TrainerRoad = $19.95 USD per Month
$189 USD per Year, $15.75 USD per Month equivalent
If that doesn’t have Zwift and TrainerRoad (among others) worried… they should be. I know packages all differ and Wahoo SYSTM is far from a complete parallel to TR. Both have features the other lacks, along with the clear overlap. None of these apps are perfect, but if Wahoo X really blends well, it sure looks like a decent option on the surface at least, when price factors in.
Adding a bit, I see more potential for Z users hopping to WX considering what they gain by swapping. TR to WX is a harder sell for me, but that is from my own needs and preferences. There are some interesting features in WX. If the blend there is enough for current TR users, and adds RGT in place of Z or other options, I can see that swap case. Interesting times for sure.
Wow. I just had a look at that and I think I need a serious tutorial. Definitely a vote for “Wahoo needs to figure out how to make this easy”.
And I hope they fix the dumb RGT file that you need to download and then upload to Garmin Connect after your ride. Yes it is a thing and I hate it but I do realize not everyone uses Garmin Connect.
For basic smoothing you just need to do these steps:
Open GPXmagic V3
Click on the “Load GPX file” button (top-left) and select your source gpx file.
Click on the “One-Click Quick Fix!” button. That’ll smooth the route.
Click on the “Save GPX file” button. You then just need to e-mail RGT that new gpx file.
That’s usually all you need for making a route rideable.
If you want to make specific changes to corners etc. it takes a bit more work, but there’s a video option for each tool showing how to use them.
I agree, I currently subscribed to TR/Zwift and Wahoo, TR for the training plan, I like Zwift for the races and endurance rides, and Wahoo for the Yoga and strength, but something has to give, especially with summer coming, RGT wasn’t on the radar, lack of riders
So I was going to drop Wahoo, and find another way to do the Yoga, but this changes that, now I’m thinking I’ll drop zwift, I mean, if I want to race, with the upturn in users there might even be more races, and I’ll save myself some money, and if Wahoo started doing custom workouts (like they have promised) … well that TR account looks under treat as well
It’s a fairly large price difference (TR + Zwift (to do training and races)) to Wahoo, and I can see a lot of people being pulled in that direction just by the price
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
Well they just have, as now you get Wahoo RGT which has custom workouts (RGT always did have this feature.)
Just upload your .mrc, .zwo, .erg files to workouts@rgtcycling.com
"Thanks for riding with us and for choosing us for your workout! The following file/s have been uploaded and can be located in the MyWorkouts section in the RGT Cycling Mobile App.
DF90 DYNAMIC FORCE 5.mrc
Have a good workout.
The RGT crew"
Some of mine, which you can ride on any course you like…
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!!
Really?
Took me 5 - 10 seconds… plus you now have all the RGT workouts and can upload your own.
I do agree that they need filters, TR filters are pretty good, but imo not worth the extra $$$$$
Edit: Ah found there filters now. Okay it took me a minute to find their filters.
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.
