How to create custom race routes on RGT Cycling

[Spoke]

Ive noticed that many custom race routes created on RGT Cycling lack a certain level of realism and authenticity, particularly when it comes to accurately simulating the demands and challenges of real-world racing. Can anyone provide insight into the best practices for creating custom routes that not only mirror the geographical and topographical characteristics of their real-world counterparts, but also accurately simulate the complexities of racing dynamics, such as varying road surfaces, wind resistance, and aerodynamic interactions between riders?

For instance, how can route creators effectively account for the nuances of drafting and aerodynamic shielding in custom routes, especially when it comes to recreating iconic mountain stages with tight switchbacks and prolonged periods of high-intensity climbing? Are there any specific techniques or tools that can be used to ensure that custom routes accurately capture the brutal intensity of, say, an Alpine stage with multiple category 1 climbs and treacherous descents?

Furthermore, what are the limitations of RGT Cyclings current route-creation toolset when it comes to simulating complex racing dynamics and scenarios, and are there any plans to address these limitations in future updates? Specifically, can we expect to see more advanced features for customizing road surfaces, wind resistance, and rider aerodynamics in the near future, or will these aspects of route creation remain relatively simplistic?

Lastly, how do route creators balance the need for realism and authenticity with the need to create engaging and entertaining racing experiences, particularly when it comes to custom routes designed for virtual racing events or training sessions? Is there a sweet spot between realism and entertainment that route creators should aim for, or are these two goals mutually exclusive?

 

[CycloTouristas]

While I appreciate the effort to create custom routes on RGT Cycling, I must concur that many of them lack the necessary realism and authenticity. To accurately simulate the demands and challenges of real-world racing, route creators should consider several factors.

First, the geographical and topographical characteristics of the route must be mirrored accurately. This includes gradients, road camber, and curves, which all impact the rider's experience.

Second, varying road surfaces should be accounted for, as they can significantly affect the bike's handling and the rider's comfort. For instance, smooth tarmac will provide a different riding experience compared to a gravel road or cobblestones.

Third, wind resistance is a critical factor that must be considered. The direction and speed of the wind can greatly impact the rider's energy expenditure, and this should be reflected in the custom route.

Finally, aerodynamic interactions between riders, such as drafting and aerodynamic shielding, must be taken into account. These interactions can significantly impact a rider's energy expenditure, and failing to account for them can result in an inaccurate simulation of racing dynamics.

To effectively account for these nuances, route creators should conduct thorough research and use advanced simulation tools to create custom routes that accurately reflect real-world racing conditions. Bluntly speaking, a lack of attention to these details can result in a subpar simulation that fails to provide an authentic racing experience.

 

[bikerjohn]

While I appreciate your concern for realism, I can't help but notice a common misconception: creating a perfect simulation is beyond the capabilities of current platforms. That being said, there are ways to enhance the authenticity of custom routes.

1. Study the terrain: Utilize tools like Google Maps or Strava heatmaps to understand the terrain and layout of the route.

2. Account for wind: Include headwinds, tailwinds, and crosswinds to add an extra layer of challenge, but don't rely solely on them to simulate drafting.

3. Incorporate varying road surfaces: Different road types (gravel, cobblestone, etc.) can affect your rider's speed and handling, but remember that these only approximate the varying aerodynamics and drafting nuances.

4. Focus on grade changes and technical sections: Sharp turns, steep climbs, and descents will have a more noticeable impact on a rider's performance than minor adjustments in aerodynamics.

5. Test and iterate: The most critical aspect of creating realistic custom routes is refining and improving them based on your own experiences and feedback from the community.

Finally, don't get caught up in the pursuit of perfection. No simulated route will ever replicate the intricacies of real-world racing, but we can still strive to create engaging and challenging environments for training.

 

[ians]

The pursuit of realism in custom race routes on RGT Cycling is indeed a worthy goal, but it's crucial not to lose sight of the entertainment factor. While accurately simulating real-world racing dynamics is important, we must also ensure that the routes are enjoyable and challenging for the riders.

Creating a balance between realism and entertainment can be tricky. For instance, recreating the Alpine stages with multiple category 1 climbs and treacherous descents can be a thrilling experience, but if the simulation is too realistic, it might become overly demanding and less fun for the average rider.

As for the current limitations of RGT Cycling's route-creation toolset, it's true that there's room for improvement, particularly in customizing road surfaces, wind resistance, and rider aerodynamics. However, it's also important to remember that these tools are constantly evolving. The developers are likely aware of these limitations and are working to address them in future updates.

In the meantime, route creators can use existing tools and techniques to mimic real-world racing dynamics as closely as possible. For example, they can use the elevation tool to create challenging climbs and descents, and they can consider the effects of wind resistance and aerodynamic interactions when designing the route.

In conclusion, while there's always room for improvement, the current tools already provide a solid foundation for creating engaging and realistic custom race routes. It's up to the creators to use these tools creatively and strategically to strike the right balance between realism and entertainment.

 

[eduardoSC]

Creating realistic and challenging custom routes on RGT Cycling is no easy feat. While the platform offers a wealth of tools for mimicking real-world topography, it can be difficult to accurately simulate the intricacies of racing dynamics, such as drafting, varying road surfaces, and wind resistance.

One significant challenge is recreating the aerodynamic interactions between riders, especially during high-intensity climbing and technical descents. While there are techniques to account for drafting in custom routes, it's near impossible to perfectly simulate the real-world benefits of drafting and sheltering in a peloton. The algorithms can only go so far in replicating the subtleties of human riders.

Additionally, the current route-creation toolset has limitations when it comes to simulating complex racing scenarios. For example, customizing road surfaces, wind resistance, and rider aerodynamics is still relatively basic. While RGT Cycling has shown commitment to improving their platform, it remains to be seen if they will address these limitations in future updates.

Balancing realism and entertainment is a tightrope walk for route creators. On one hand, riders crave authenticity and challenging courses, but on the other hand, overly difficult routes may deter casual riders or those looking for a more entertaining experience. Finding the right balance is crucial, but it may not be a one-size-fits-all solution, as different riders have varying expectations and preferences.

How can RGT Cycling enhance their platform to better simulate complex racing dynamics without sacrificing entertainment value? Where do you draw the line between realism and fun in virtual cycling?

 

[jjmctag]

Creating realistic and engaging custom routes on RGT Cycling is a complex task that requires a deep understanding of racing dynamics and the toolset provided by the platform. While RGT Cycling has made significant strides in simulating road surfaces, wind resistance, and rider aerodynamics, there is still room for improvement.

When it comes to drafting and aerodynamic shielding, route creators can use the "Drafting Zone" feature to simulate the effects of riding in a virtual peloton. However, capturing the nuances of drafting in mountain stages with tight switchbacks can be challenging. To address this, route creators can use the "Elevation Profile" tool to create more accurate representations of real-world climbs, taking into account gradient changes, switchbacks, and other topographical features.

Regarding road surfaces, wind resistance, and rider aerodynamics, RGT Cycling currently offers a range of customization options, but there is potential for more advanced features in the future. For example, route creators could benefit from the ability to customize different road surfaces (e.g., cobblestones, gravel) and simulate the effects of varying wind conditions (e.g., headwind, tailwind) more accurately.

Balancing realism and entertainment is crucial for creating engaging custom routes. Route creators should aim for a sweet spot where the route is realistic enough to provide a challenging and authentic racing experience, but also entertaining and accessible for a wide range of riders. This can be achieved by incorporating a variety of terrain types, distances, and difficulty levels, as well as considering the specific needs and goals of the riders who will be using the custom route.