Solvang Confirmed

This week I received confirmation of my Solvang Century registration. It was a little kick in the butt, as I have been a bit of a slacker after the holidays. Got on the CT last night for a great round of 4 x 9 minute threshold repeats, and back on again tonight for 2 x 20s. I am looking forward to the next 4-week block of workouts from Coach Wharton.

I continue to feel that the CompuTrainer, and ErgVideo combination delivers the most performance increase per minute of training available on any indoor system I know. That said, it is not without areas in need of improvement. There are a few notable areas where the CT could stand to rejoin the 21st Century:

1: Ride files. To get a ride file into WKO+ (perhaps the most common serious training log/analysis software available) requires multiple steps. You have to import the ride file into the Coaching Software and export it out again, then load WKO+ to open the new txt file. I’m not sure why RacerMate can’t just allow the user to set up a preference to automatically save the ride file in whatever format(s) the user wants, in one step, from whichever program you are running (ie, 3D, Coaching, ERG or Multi-Rider).

2: Program Usage: Speaking of multiple RacerMate programs--why does there need to be multiple programs? Just give us one program and let us decide what mode to run it in. Integration please! Only Multi-Rider requires a separate purchase, and I’m sure they could allow its functionality within the larger program to be enabled via a registration code once the additional fee has been paid.

3: Design: I know the main point of workout software is functionality, but RacerMate really needs a good graphic designer. The layouts are pretty hard on the eyes. They feel like software titles designed by engineers, for engineers. As an end-user I actually do care about how things look.

4: Mac Please. Okay, I know I’m in the vast minority, but with most Macs now Intel native, porting over software to the Mac is easier than it has ever been. We are seeing lots of PC game titles being quickly ported to Intel Mac. I hate having to re-start in PC mode just to run my software (but I’m glad I can). I know the developers will say there isn’t enough money in the Mac market to develop for it. But I’ll keep asking.

I know developing for a small marketplace is challenging, and it is no doubt difficult to decide where to assign resources that will show a return on the investment. But I can’t help but think that RaceMate needs to step up and give their software a solid interface update soon to stay in the game.

If you are interested in joining me and a few thousand other riders, here is the link to the Solvang Century:

http://www.bikescor.com/solvang/welcome.htm