Wattbike Launches Leaderboards Feature, Turns Your Pain into Global Fame

Brace yourselves, Wattbikers. Your sweat, tears, and existential crises on those indoor trainers are about to get a lot more competitive. Wattbike has proudly announced the launch of its new Leaderboards feature, a cunning plan to pit cyclists against each other in a digital Thunderdome of endurance tests, hill climbs, speed sprints, and distance goals.

This new feature, available via the free Wattbike Training Hub app, allows users to track their performance, set new personal records, and engage in virtual chest-thumping with a global community of like-minded masochists. If your idea of fun involves staring at a screen while your legs scream in protest, this is for you. The Leaderboards display “all-time” results by default, with a monthly breakdown coming soon to provide even more ways to obsess over your standings.

To celebrate this brave new world of quantified suffering, Wattbike is kicking things off with its signature 1k Challenge. The challenge is simple: ride 1k as fast as you can. The prize? A £250 voucher to spend in the Wattbike eComm store.

But wait, there’s more! This summer, Wattbike is introducing challenges themed around the Tour de France and the Olympics. July will see a series of Tour-themed climbs, so you can virtually conquer Cime de la Bonette, Col Bayard, Col du Galibier, Puy Mary, and Sauveur—all without ever having to leave your living room. Come August, distance challenges will mirror some of the iconic races set to be run at the Velodrome National during Paris 2024. Because who doesn’t want to pretend they’re in the Olympics while sweating in their basement?

These challenges are open to all levels of Wattbikers, from the “I’ve got this” elite athletes to the “Why am I doing this?” beginners. Whether you’re at home, in the gym, or part of a school or athletic program, there’s a leaderboard with your name on it, ready to reflect your triumphs and failures in excruciating detail. It’s like social media, but with more leg cramps.

“Our goal with the Leaderboards is to enhance motivation and foster a sense of community among Wattbike users,” said Stephen Loftus, CEO of Wattbike, with the kind of enthusiasm usually reserved for motivational posters and overly cheerful fitness instructors. “Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or simply riding to keep fit, this feature offers a fun and dynamic way to challenge yourself and achieve your fitness goals.” Fun and dynamic. Sure.

Former World Tour cyclist and Wattbike ambassador Alex Dowsett chimed in with his endorsement, “The Leaderboards are a really exciting new feature, and are a great way for cyclists to better their best and enjoy a bit of gentle competition at the same time. It’s a fantastic way to stay motivated and engaged with your training, and I’m looking forward to giving it a go myself!”

Participants can track their progress with detailed analytics and enjoy a seamless experience with any Wattbike model linked to the Hub app. Privacy settings are available for those who prefer their suffering to be a solitary endeavor.

But that’s not all. Wattbike promises exciting updates on the horizon, including Team Events, sub-leaderboards for teams or groups of friends, country-specific rankings, and personal best (PB) functionality. Soon, you’ll be able to drag your friends into this digital gladiator arena, compete against strangers from other countries, and celebrate personal bests with all the fervor of a Rocky training montage.

To join the Wattbike Leaderboards, follow these simple steps:

1. Download the free Wattbike Hub App: Available on both iOS and Android.
2. Sign up and connect to your Wattbike: Sign up (or log in if you already have an account) and pair your Wattbike with the app—at home or in the gym.
3. Participate in Challenges: Select and complete any workout in the ‘Challenges’ category or via selected workouts and tests.
4. Track Your Progress: Check your standings on the Leaderboards and strive for new personal bests each month.