The latest indieVelo update V0.2.34 released January 29, 2024, focuses on building a solid foundation for transforming cycling esports.
A message from indieVelo’s developer, Dr. George Gilbert.
indieVelo’s purpose is to transform cycling together. Specifically, defining the future of virtual sport requires the development of new technology to be able to do new things; otherwise, we’re all just recycling the past.
Where most online platforms prioritize increasing the number of users above all else, indieVelo deliberately focuses on quality. We can build something truly remarkable on top only by having the right architecture and a high-quality product.
Therefore, this week’s release (see below for full details) continues the focus on those solid foundations. While the majority of the work done is all behind-the-scenes infrastructure, there’s also a whole host of additions, improvements, and fixes to sign-ups, performance verification, virtual gearing, pairing, workouts, and more – all designed to make using indieVelo as friendly and easy as possible.
Note for Mac Bluetooth users: If you find that the Bluetooth icon on the pairing screen has turned red, please follow the instructions linked from https://wiki.indievelo.com/docs/apple-mac-ble-permissions/ to first completely remove, and then re-add, permission for indieVelo to use the Mac Bluetooth connection.
Do you want to steepen your indieVelo learning curve? Check out our How-to-Guides page for details!
If all has gone well, you shouldn’t have to do anything to get the new version, as indieVelo will self-update the next time you start it up. If you find any problems, however, instructions on how to manually update are on the website: https://wiki.indievelo.com/docs/updates
Please note that, depending on when you installed indieVelo, you may see a warning message recommending that you update the installer/launcher to the latest version. If you see this, download it again from https://indievelo.com/downloads, and the update will automatically apply. The entire process typically takes a minute or two, often much less.
The full patch notes are below!
“Thank you again to everyone who has suggested new ideas, shared their thoughts, or identified areas for improvement – each and every comment you make is hugely appreciated. We’re all passionate about this because we care, and by focussing on that better shared future, we’ll achieve that goal of transforming cycling together.”
George Gilbert
Patch Notes – V0.2.34 – Key changes from the last version:
- Added ability to auto-join signed-up events without using mouse/keyboard.
- Added signup notification when participating in another event.
- Added the ability to update some team information without needing new releases.
- Added action buttons for changing virtual gears.
- Added ability to forget auto-pairing of devices if not used.
- Added wind speed/direction information to FIT files.
- Added lots more teams.
- Improved real-time Performance Verification for a wider range of heart rates.
- Improved visibility of heart rate monitor dropouts.
- Improved interaction between having a break and pausing a workout.
- Improved race ranking screen to auto-close after 30 seconds.
- Improved start-up sequence.
- Improved API infrastructure.
- Improved team infrastructure.
- Improved file I/O infrastructure.
- Improved camera positioning infrastructure.
- Fixed bug with group workouts synchronised from Training Peaks / intervals icu.
- Fixed bug with permissions problems when creating FIT files.
- Fixed bug with ride not exiting if FIT file can’t be saved.
- Fixed bug with trainer resistance mode not always saving correctly.
- Fixed bug with camera if server login takes more than 2 seconds.
- Fixed bug with more than 255 teams concurrently on the server.
- Fixed bug with signup warning when less than 1 minute until start of event.
- Fixed bug with change to PV cadence detection not working as expected.
Semi-retired after more than 20 years as the owner and director of a private Orthopedic Physical Therapy practice, Chris now enjoys the freedom to dedicate himself to his passions—virtual cycling and writing.
Driven to give back to the sport that has enriched his life with countless experiences and relationships, he founded a non-profit organization, TheDIRTDadFund. In the summer of 2022, he rode 3,900 miles from San Francisco to his “Gain Cave” on Long Island, New York, raising support for his charity.
His passion for cycling shines through in his writing, which has been featured in prominent publications like Cycling Weekly, Cycling News, road.cc, Zwift Insider, Endurance.biz, and Bicycling. In 2024, he was on-site in Abu Dhabi, covering the first live, in-person UCI Cycling Esports World Championship.
His contributions to cycling esports have not gone unnoticed, with his work cited in multiple research papers exploring this evolving discipline. He sits alongside esteemed esports scientists as a member of the Virtual Sports Research Network and contributes to groundbreaking research exploring the new frontier of virtual physical sport. Chris co-hosts The Virtual Velo Podcast, too.
