Virtual cycling platform MyWhoosh plans to implement draft dynamics enhancements and updates in Production Builds by August 2024.
When MyWhoosh released MyWhoosh Go in April 2024, the virtual cycling platform was committed to accessibility. The company developed an alternative version of the tech-heavy app to accommodate users with low-spec devices. In March, the company introduced its Apple TV release and the MyWhoosh Link Companion App.
MyWhoosh Go, the company’s new, lighter version of MyWhoosh, is “engineered to extend the reach of [our] platform to a wider audience by optimizing performance on a broader range of Windows PCs.”
The company also proved committed to addressing user concerns. Before the rollout of MyWhoosh Go, two common criticisms predominated in the public user forums. After removing that barrier of entry, MyWhoosh confirmed that it is focused on the other, the draft physics and mechanics.
You heard user complaints of yo-yo-ing, sling-shotting, and being dropped on descents. Sunday Race Club viewers saw avatars colliding, riding through each other, and packs behaving unrealistically and unnaturally.
Initially, MyWhoosh representatives said that the draft mechanics are unique and different and require some “getting used to” when transitioning from other platforms. However, that wasn’t good enough, especially for some members of the elite cycling esports community, who preferred waiting until the platform got it sorted out before unlearning what they learned.
“Now, as a relatively new platform that has built the major components necessary for advancement, it is time to focus on enhancing this key area,” says MyWhoosh.
The Zommunique interviewed MyWhoosh’s Rodney Loxley, and asked him to describe the enhancements, when users will see them in-game, and the impact on the 2024 UCI Cycling Esports World Championship.
Loxley has been an avid cyclist for 30 years and has a math, physics, and education background. For the past two years, he has worked as the Garage and Physics Consultant at MyWhoosh, enabling riders to optimize their indoor cycling performance.
Have you identified aspects of the MyWhoosh draft physics and mechanics that require improvement? If so, how did you identify the issues?
We understand the importance of continually enhancing ride physics and dynamics to provide the best experience for our users, especially during events and races. Our goal is to make the in-game experience enjoyable for all users while ensuring that the strongest and most skilled riders can leverage their abilities. We don’t aim to make it easy for everyone to stay in the draft but rather to create a realistic and challenging environment.
Currently, our focus is improving the smoothness of transitions within the game, such as moving into and out of drafting, navigating ascents and descents, and handling situations like attacking or bridging a gap in a race. Developing physics and dynamics for the virtual environment must relate to real-life riding and racing but also acknowledge that esports racing is its own unique discipline.
We conduct thorough testing and analysis with experienced riders, including IRL racers, high-level esports cyclists, and everyday virtual cycling users. Additionally, we actively engage with our community through social networks and support emails to gather feedback and make improvements. MyWhoosh is a community-driven platform, with developments and enhancements guided by user feedback and suggestions.
The community values your insights and expertise. Please share the specific issues you've identified and how you plan to address them to improve the user experience.
Developing a continuous framework for collecting our own data, user feedback, and reflecting on users’ past experiences is crucial. As a long-time virtual cycling user, I expect any platform I use to continuously strive for improvement to provide the best possible experience. Now, as a relatively new platform that has built the major components necessary for advancement, it is time to focus on enhancing this key area.
We now have a large team of playtesters who provide feedback and thoroughly test changes before any release. Additionally, our in-game race organizers have been invaluable in testing some changes during their events prior to formal release.
Currently, we are testing the latest drafting dynamics changes in a series of TTT events. These challenging environments for drafting application offer a great opportunity to observe the changes and collect user feedback, allowing us to further refine the experience.
What is the strategy and time frame for implementing the enhancements?
Our strategy centers on collecting our own data, gathering extensive user feedback, and conducting thorough testing in various key situations. A crucial part of this strategy is our commitment to continuous improvement.
We recognize the importance of giving our racers for the 2024 UCI Esports World Championships a chance to understand and develop their skills on our platform. Therefore, all planned changes and updates will be implemented in Production Builds by August this year, ensuring riders have ample time to train and race on the platform to hone their necessary skills.
How would you advise national federations and their elite racers reluctant to begin training on the platform in preparation for the 2024 UCI Cycling Esports World Championships until the draft mechanics updates are in place?
I strongly encourage them to join and race on MyWhoosh, as we are already implementing these changes in our production builds. It’s clear from watching our top racers in SRC each week that those who understand how to race on our platform consistently appear on the leaderboard.
What advice do you have for users transitioning from other virtual cycling platforms about the MyWhoosh draft mechanics and how to optimize their experience?
For example, as someone with relatively average height and weight, if I want to stay in the draft behind a rider in front doing 250w, I can’t just ride at any power between 200-250w without moving alongside them and out of the draft zone. Like riding outdoors, maintaining position in the draft zone requires skill and experience in understanding when to apply and ease off power.
When our new release comes out, hop on a MyBunch 24/7 and practice the necessary adjustments to move in and out of the draft. It will help you improve your skills while also boosting your fitness and wellbeing.
Thank you for sharing your insight, Rodney!
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.
Howh h of the yoyo effect is a result of the large delay between input power and avatar “displaying” power. You are responding to something that happened 3 seconds ago. Whicj could explain a lot of what you see with how the packs move and slingshot/change. Would be interesting to see a sprint finish knowing that you only see your competitors start a sprint 3sec after that have pressed a pedal for the first time.
Thank you for the insight, Bob! It’s an interesting observation. I’ve heard varied reports. Some users experience a delay and others don’t. Similarly on multiple platforms. It makes me wonder if there is a user tech element.
Would love to see these reports of people who don’t have the delay.
Multiple I have spoken to have it. No one has no lag. Lag is a result of the way whoosh do the position. It waits for all users to send their power data before computing positions then sending it back. To users with updates. More users causes more delay. Don’t understand how they can have such delay and expect real time racing
I’m reading a thread on the MyWhoosh Indoor Cycling Facebook group as we speak. There are many comments confirming your experience.