With the New TrainingPeaks Feature, You Can Ride Almost Any Route in the World.
Last week, the athlete training platform TrainingPeaks launched GPXplore , a new feature that lets you import any route in GPX format and ride it virtually. If you can upload a GPX file from Strava, Garmin Connect, Komoot, or any other platform that exports standard GPS files, you can ride its real-world elevation profile in your virtual TrainingPeaks account . Whether you’re a triathlete studying race routes, a cyclist aiming to complete that Strava segment you’ve been dreaming about, or a coach creating custom workouts tailored to real-world terrain, this is a highly useful feature.
How GPXplore Works
This feature uses GPS coordinates to determine the actual elevation and curvature of the terrain, and also attempts to use satellite imagery as a basemap. TrainingPeaks Virtual then overlays 3D graphics to simulate the surrounding landscape, giving you a true sense of the route’s scenery. And by the way, I think seeing a 3D visualization of Tuscany while tackling a 12% climb is much more motivating than looking at a power graph.
GPXplore offers two modes, each aimed at motivating different types of athletes.
-
World Routes: These are pre-loaded routes from around the world, supposedly with accurate topography, so you can experience legendary climbs and famous races from the comfort of your living room.
-
My Routes: Your own GPX files on demand. Import from Strava, Garmin, Komoot, or any other platform that exports GPX files.
In short, whether you’ve already ridden a route on the road and saved it to Strava, or are eyeing a race course on the other side of the world in Komoot, you can now immediately upload it to TrainingPeaks Virtual, strap in, and ride. For triathletes and cyclists preparing for a specific race, this is a great way to train using the actual elevation profile and climb sequence of a real course. Want to see how grueling the Ironman Arizona bike stage at kilometer 140 is? Download a GPX file of the course and find out before race day.
How to use the GPXplore function
It seems the real value of GPXplore lies in functionality, not aesthetics: your smart bike trainer reacts to actual changes in the route’s incline in real time, simulating resistance on every climb and allowing you to pedal on the descents.
Download the TrainingPeaks Virtual app to your computer or mobile device, then log in using your existing TrainingPeaks credentials. If you’re completely new to TrainingPeaks, you can create an account directly in the Virtual app and access a free trial of TrainingPeaks Premium features. Watch this video from TrainingPeaks for a step-by-step guide.