Getting Started With Wahoo RGT

To get started, download the RGT app and sign in with your Wahoo account (or set up a new one). A smart bike trainer works well with the app, although a classic trainer paired with a compatible power meter or speed and cadence sensor can also do the job, according to Wahoo RGT’s compatibility page.

Once you have the app, navigate to the Menu screen. Tap Sensors, then pair your devices. If possible, you may want to run this app on a larger tablet, or use Chromecast to stream the app on your TV. Some metrics can be hard to read on a tiny smartphone screen when you’re huffing and puffing through a hill climb.

The basic Wahoo RGT app is free to download and use. In addition, a single Wahoo X subscription gives you access to both the Wahoo SYSTM app and Wahoo RGT’s premium content. These are separate apps that require individual downloads. While the SYSTM app includes real-life videos to liven up your time on an indoor bicycle trainer, the RGT app is a virtual cycling app, similar to Zwift or Rouvy.

Download: Wahoo RGT for iOS | Android (Free, subscription available)

Famous cycling routes, including the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic in Colorado and the Cap de Formentor in Majorca, appear in the RGT app. To view these routes from around the world, navigate to the Just Ride screen and scroll through the options.

Next, tap any of the options to learn more about that ride. In this case, the ride setup screen will tell you about each route, including the amount of climbing involved. (The hills in this app get intense in a hurry, so you quickly learn to pay attention to the elevation numbers.) Once everything is good to go, start pedaling your way through a virtual rendition of this challenging bike route. Similar to other virtual riding apps, you get an animated cycling avatar.

Check your power, cadence, and heart rate in the upper left-hand portion of the screen, as well as a list of your fellow riders. Meanwhile, your time elapsed, miles per hour pace, and distance are all on the right-hand side of the screen. It’s all the information you need to adjust your efforts throughout the ride.

You can also get interesting scenery changes along each route, such as a train passing as you pedal along an increasingly steep road. And social features are another big part of RGT. During a ride, you can wave at or chat with other cyclists. A voice chat feature even enables you to speak to others during group rides or a race.

Joining Virtual Races and Group Rides in RGT

Real-time virtual races and group rides add a social (and competitive) element to your training in the RGT app. Check the Events screen to see ongoing or upcoming rides. Then, hit the Sign Up button to join in. There are friendly, no-drop social rides like Chat Laps as well as more intense events.

As this clip from YouTuber SJNASaldanha shows, races in RGT can be a bit intense and crowded, especially at the beginning. Real-life skills like pacing and positioning come into play as all these avatars vie for the top spot. For the most part, these racing events are a great way to push yourself to pick up serious speed.

How to Use the Magic Roads Feature

One of the RGT app’s most unique features, the Magic Roads option, lets you upload the .GPX file of any route in the world and turn it into a virtual ride in the app. From the Menu, tap Magic Roads and search through the list of previously uploaded routes or create your own.

To create your own, you’ll need to email a .GPX (GPS Exchange Format) file to the RGT team. Use a site like Ride With GPS, which allows you to map out your intended path and export the .GPX file. Within a few minutes, you’ll receive an email from RGT with your chosen route.

From the Magic Roads screen, tap the name of your new route on the right-hand side of the screen. Tap the Quick Ride button, then navigate to the Events screen. Check out the Registered Events section to see your ride and start pedaling.

This is an excellent option if you’re training for a race in an unfamiliar location or simply exploring cycling routes around the world. You can even build custom routes to share with your cycling friends on the app. Typically, generated routes are fairly accurate in terms of elevation and overall layout. Plus, you get a selection of cycling bots for company as you explore.

Is the Wahoo RGT App Right for You?

There are many excellent cycling apps for indoor trainers, so how does RGT stack up? When compared to other popular virtual cycling apps, the Wahoo RGT app stands out because of its devotion to creating a realistic riding experience.

Cyclists who want to feel like they’re training on routes all over the world will appreciate the app’s attention to detail. If you’re a cyclist who wants to hammer out hill climbs, compete against other riders, and generally challenge yourself on trainer rides, then it’s a fine choice.

Zwift, meanwhile, does offer many similar features, including group rides, races, and workouts. Plus, it employs more of a fantasy video game landscape for virtual rides, which means you can zip up a volcano or pass through an underwater tunnel. (However, the app does include simulated routes around London, New York, and other real-life areas, as well.) For beginners or athletes who prefer a little whimsy with their workouts, Zwift may be a more welcoming platform.

When you consider the RGT app paired with Wahoo SYSTM, however, it’s an incredible amount of content for one subscription. You can easily switch between the lifelike virtual rides on RGT and the cheeky, encouraging Sufferfest videos on SYSTM. It’s definitely worth a few test rides to see whether this app works for your indoor cycling needs.

Ride Anywhere in the World With the Wahoo RGT App

Explore iconic cycling routes in Italy, England, France, and more from the comfort of your own pain cave with the Wahoo RGT app. With group rides, challenging races, and plenty of virtual routes to blast through, it’s a helpful way to make the most of your indoor training rides.