Virtucyc was my big project after leaving University. After having the Idea for my final year project, I knew I was onto something that could take off. The GoPro Hero camera had just been released and provided a small portable action camera to create something amazing. I had just had major surgery and needed to keep myself occupied for 3 months and going forwards. I spent nearly 2 years developing this as I knew absolutely nothing about Android, the ANT+ radio API, high performance video, making an installer, video production, WordPress, the list goes on. I also attended many business courses and engaged in substantial networking, both face to face and on Twitter. There was also a very substantial amount of time spent filming and perfecting the filming rig comprised of two GoPro cameras, a large LiPo battery pack with regulator, a Zoom H1 audio recorder, a homemade and perfected fluffy boom microphone and many cable ties! This was all helmet mounted and took special riding techniques to carry it well.
I taught myself everything I needed to complete this project. It provided a user with a virtual experience for indoor cycling. Speed, cadence and heart rate data would be used along with a riders statistics to create a brilliant training system for the winter months.
I made the software free. The user only needed to purchase the videos with the delivery achieved using FastSpring. Each video came with an installer to make it work on the Virtucyc system.
The software comprised of 3 main components, the main software on Windows, an Android controller app and videos. The videos contained 2 tracks, a road noise track and a commentary track which could be switched by the user. The software also had a simple music player that could play Windows Media Player playlists.
I could talk about this forever but instead here are two videos. The first is a consumer aimed video and quick demo. The second is a full demo of the system in action from start to a couple of minutes into training showing all the features including the Android app. I'm not riding in the second demo so the 'You' display is all zeroed out for most of the demo.
Unfortunately for me Zwift was launched soon after Virtucyc. Zwift had a ton of money behind it and has gone on to dominate the home training market. I simply did not have the capital needed to compete with the likes of Zwift so I reluctantly let this one go when the money ran out but I'm very proud of what I accomplished. I also believe I was one of the very first to come up with an idea like this.
They also say imitation is the best form of flattery as a fairly new and remarkably similar big money project has appeared called virtucycling!