CyclistBehind the ride: How ROUVY brings real roads indoorsEvery cyclist knows the feeling: the steady thrum of tyres on real tarmac, the new vistas and horizons that open up with each hill crested, the sense of exploring new frontiers Its why we love cycling and why we dont want it to stop when the weather turns.Yet what if you could experience those same roads without leaving home? Thats the idea behind ROUVY, the real-world cycling app that brings actual roads and landscapes to your indoor trainer. Unlike platforms built around computer-generated worlds, ROUVY uses footage filmed on location, combined with augmented reality riders and accurate gradient data, to recreate the experience of riding the real thing.And theres a fascinating story behind every route. From scouting spectacular locations and filming in challenging conditions to transforming hours of footage into a rideable experience, bringing the worlds roads indoors takes a lot more than simply pointing a camera down the road.Once a target route has been identified, ROUVY travels to the location and films high-quality footage of the route from start to finish using GoPro cameras cutom-mounted on the front of a vehicle. The ROUVY app gives you access to thousands of routes that have been captured this way, covering nearly 400,000km in total.ROUVYMission statementStarted in the small Czech town of Vimperk by brothers Petr and Ji Samek in 2017, ROUVYs mission was simple yet ambitious: to combine sport and technology to create the most realistic cycling experience possible.When we started ROUVY, our vision was to bring real-world cycling indoors. Today, that vision is still the same, but the technology has come a long way, says Vojtch Hudeek, ROUVYs routes project manager.Fast forward to 2026 and its safe to say ROUVYs vision has been realised. The company employs more than 100 people and has built a collection of thousands of routes in 130 countries covering nearly 400,000km. It partners with leading sporting events such as the Giro dItalia and IRONMAN, works with elite athletes and teams, including WorldTour teams Lidl-Trek and Visma-Lease a Bike, and its routes are trusted for their authenticity and real-world accuracy.ROUVYFor everyday riders, theres a different appeal: the chance to explore the world and indulge your wanderlust through an ever-expanding library of riding locations. You can ride Grand Tour stages, ride iconic Alpine climbs or test yourself on gruelling Classics courses. Or you can venture further afield: rides in Morocco and India have recently been introduced, with Patagonia soon to follow. Near or far with ROUVY, its up to you.Wherever your virtual riding adventure takes you, each route is created with the same commitment to making it as close to actual riding as it gets. But how does ROUVY go about transforming a real-world road or iconic pass into an immersive, augmented reality route you can ride from home? Lets take a look at how it all comes together.ROUVYHow routes are builtROUVYs array of riding options covers every terrain and environment you can imagine, but it all starts with scouting.Before we plan any filming trip, we always do extensive research to consider all pros and cons, evaluating the benefits of filming the planned routes, Hudeek says.We look for routes that combine stunning scenery, iconic climbs and a great cycling experience. We focus on famous cycling destinations and major races, but we also love discovering hidden gems and exploring places that people normally dont visit. ROUVYOnce a target route is identified and fully researched, its time to capture the real-world footage that every ROUVY route is built on. Routes are filmed from start to finish using twin GoPros, high-quality video and imagery painstakingly captured through a custom mount attached to the front of a car.While the beauty of riding virtual routes from home is that you dont have to worry about traffic, adverse weather or unforeseen obstacles, the same isnt always the case when capturing those routes in the real world.You never quite know what to expect when filming in places like India, Morocco or Patagonia, Hudeek says. It could be unpredictable weather, heavy traffic, equipment problems, no GPS signal and other factors. That is part of the job we need to react very quickly, but this all makes the adventure behind every route in those locations unforgettable and usually all those uneasy moments become the best stories from the trip.Filming routes in unusual riding locations such as India makes for an adventure in itself, and that sense of exploration shines through when experiencing the finished route within the ROUVY app.ROUVYOnce the raw footage has been captured, its then edited and produced back at the companys headquarters in Prague by the ROUVY team. GPS data is converted into precise gradient and resistance profiles, then the final layer of virtual immersion is woven in: augmented reality (AR) through the addition of 3D riders, event banners and spatial realism elements. This is another key area that sets ROUVY apart from other platforms, and one that continues to develop as technology improves.Our AR experience is more realistic, and creating routes is faster and more efficient, Hudeek says. What hasnt changed is our passion for bringing the worlds most beautiful roads to cyclists everywhere around the globe.To claim your free ROUVY trial and explore thousands of real-world routes without leaving your own home, click here ROUVYCreate your own ClassicA step-by-step guide to creating your own routes in ROUVYFrom exotic travel destinations to world-famous climbs, ROUVYs extensive global network of routes really does offer something for everyone. But what about your local training loop? With ROUVY Route Creator, anyone can now bring their favourite real-world roads to ROUVY and share them with cyclists from anywhere, ROUVY routes project manager Vojtch Hudeek says.Thats right using the same tools ROUVY itself uses to create its routes, you too can film and upload routes and make them available to others within the platform. Heres a quick run-through of how it works:Step 1: Record your ride using a GoPro mounted on a car, bike or e-bike ideally around 140-160cm off the ground and facing forward. Early or mid-morning is best from a lighting and traffic point of view, and if possible, footage should be 4K quality. Cloudy or overcast weather is fine, but avoid recording rides in wet conditions.Step 2: Make sure your GoPro has GPS enabled, as this is essential for accurate gradient mapping. Keep the horizon level and centred, with a 50:50 split between sky and road. and record the entire ride in one continuous shot without pausing. Dont drive close behind other vehicles, and maintain a steady road position and speed while filming.Step 3: Import your MP4 video files into the ROUVY Route Creator software and shape your route into its final form using the editing tools. Define the start and finish points, remove unwanted sections and make sure the ride flows smoothly from beginning to end. Make sure the GPS data is correctly synced with your edited footage.Step 4: Submit your route to be published to the global ROUVY community or keep it private should you wish to use it for personal training purposes only.For more detailed information and tutorials on the ROUVY Route Creator, go to rouvy.com/route-creatorThe post Behind the ride: How ROUVY brings real roads indoors appeared first on Cyclist.