Wednesday, April 29, 2026

'It will continue to be the ROUVY you all know and love' – Zwift acquires indoor cycling app rival ROUVY

Two companies will maintain their independent operations and subscription packages

Zwift has completed the "strategic acquisition" of indoor cycling app rival ROUVY, it was announced on Wednesday afternoon.

According to a press release in the immediate aftermath of the acquisition, the two platforms – long seen as direct competitors, despite the very different user experience they offer – will continue to operate independently, with separate road maps and subscription packages.

No financial terms have been disclosed thus far, but the shock acquisition represents a momentous move in the indoor training environment. The question is, will it produce proper positives for indoor pedallers, or less real choice in the long term?

Just last year, ROUVY hoovered up two other 'real-world' style training platforms, first acquiring FulGaz and all the app's routes from The Ironman Group (in effect becoming the official digital sports platform of the global Ironman and Ironman 70.3 series through a partnership), and then buying Bkool.

Zwift, founded in the US in 2014 and supercharged during the pandemic period when people in lockdown embraced indoor training, has a valuation of over $1 billion. It dominates the world of indoor cycling, offering a virtual gamified world for users to ride through, staging competitive events, and sponsoring real races, including the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift.

Czech brand ROUVY came about in 2017, and provides real-world videos of roads to give a less virtual experience, so users can feel almost like they are riding, racing and training on the most famous, challenging and scenic cycling routes in the world, such as L'Alpe-d'Huez. It even allows you to upload your own real riding routes.

A major erstwhile point of difference between the platforms is the unique production by Zwift of bespoke hardware in the shape of indoor training bikes, such as the Zwift Ride, for people to pedal while using the training programs.

From Wednesday 29 April, launch day, Zwift Ready smart trainers and Zwift Ride smart frames will also work with ROUVY. Further updates are on their way in the coming months. However, both brands will operate independently, with "differentiated roadmaps" and subscription packages.

"This is a major moment for both Zwift and ROUVY," Eric Min, Zwift co-founder and CEO, said. "We have a huge amount of respect for what ROUVY has achieved, developing a fantastic product and growing their global community by demonstrating there is a strong market for real video experiences.

"ROUVY’s differentiated experience is proof we can be stronger together, and I’m excited to see how this deal will accelerate our mission to make more people, more active, more often."

Peter Samek, ROUVY's Founder and CEO, sought to reassure the platform faithful by stressing that: "ROUVY will continue to be the ROUVY you all know and love, with the same team and the same focus on helping riders achieve their cycling goals."

“This is a strong validation of what we’ve built with our team and community, connecting indoor and outdoor training through real routes," he said. "For our community, this means we’ll keep building the experience you know, supporting your training all year round. Now, supported by Zwift and the Zwift hardware ecosystem, we have an opportunity to create even more experiences in the world of indoor cycling reality!”

Alternative indoor training programs and apps do, of course, still exist, including TrainerRoad, Bkool, Wahoo SYSTM (was Sufferfest), indieVelo,

Tuesday, April 28, 2026

Pew…is that you?

Good evening friends one and all..what an incredible way to start the Michiganscene 2026 season. I don’t think we are even two weeks into the excitement, and I don’t know about you..I feel like I need to catch my breath.

What with all the hoopla and confetti thrown in the air the past few weeks…it seems like it has stirred up the turd stew slightly.

I’m not even sure which way to fan the air to clear out the stench…

But first I think the folks of Miscene..are in need of a refresher of sorts…not to be long in the tooth..if your a Strava user, Zwift type person or any other athletic app user, and you have faithful followers and friends that constantly give you kudos or ride ons, but you my friend never return the favor please if you have any balls at all I want you to replace your profile icon with that of the poop emoji..that little rap of recognition lets your faithful friends feel like there getting a virtual pat on the ass, a high five brotherhood for there pursuit of there endless goals

Now to the center of the stink..

I know I’m going out on a limb

I know I’m gonna get the stink eye, the behind the back of grumble..the often fatal virtual turd fling..

But the smell was too much to keep closed up in one room…so here goes it…Without picking on just one..this tip of the poop hat, goes out to all those hard working, dedicated highly skilled and talented, not to mention fully respected by me, and the entire scene..yep even the coolest people cast a stench once in a while.

The photographers that consistently document our joy. I know you’re upset about people stealing your work in many ways. But let’s face the facts. It’s gonna happen, not everyone has the bad intentions of stealing beer from your hand. Some it’s a simple grab it for the memory. It’s an age old thing, and if you are truly losing the farm on the few that get screen captured? The simple solution it’s probably time to start water marking all of the images. I know that’s probably a big pain in the ass. But it will defer the stress of resentment after even your most loyal fans occasionally pick an image or two to share there experience.

And finally. Promoters, I honestly don’t think you need to keep reminding the participants, to not screen capture the images. We as children knew running in the halls was wrong, but we either ran out of breath or got tripped by Fred the janitor..

Excuse me I have to readjust my fan.