Try the Real Time Loop?

[stevegaspars]

Be nice if it displayed a lap timer/counter on screen, or had some other customisation other than track overview/close in.

I suggest sending feature request emails to support. They really don't seem to mind. I've inundated them with issues with ErgRace and they don't hate me yet.

[YamR1Rider]

Good idea, will do.

Have had a few more gos with it, saw 30 people logged in yesterday (although it seems to be the case some just log in and sit at the start line haha...you keep going past them lap after lap). I also had a go with EXR Row on my rower and Zwift on the bikeerg - found both a bit much for me as I prefer the simplicity of just using Ergdata; with a couple of little tweaks and additions I reckon the loop could be made more fun without going OTT.

[edward.jamer]

Agreed - I keep thinking that a more involved tool would be fun... but then realize I'm not committed enough to make the extra investment worthwhile. Erging is a happy space for me, where I can just sit down without too much thought and let go of the day. Sometimes that means trying a WOD routine, sometimes it means checking out who is online in the Real Time Loop, sometimes it means using the Just Row feature and not using my brain at all for a little bit.

A few minor tweaks to Real Time Loop would be welcome, but keeping it simple is (for me) a great and welcoming approach.

[DavidA]

For me, one thing that I would particularly like, is a way to know who is actually there with me. Even if it was an opt-in option for each person.

[Aquaman]

For me, one thing that I would particularly like, is a way to know who is actually there with me. Even if it was an opt-in option for each person.

Doesn't it already show the Username? Are you saying like a pop-up profile of the user?
And is it to see if you know them or simply 'humanize' those who are with you by having a bit more data on them (ie location, age, gender. etc.)?

[DavidA]

For me, one thing that I would particularly like, is a way to know who is actually there with me. Even if it was an opt-in option for each person.

Doesn't it already show the Username? Are you saying like a pop-up profile of the user?
And is it to see if you know them or simply 'humanize' those who are with you by having a bit more data on them (ie location, age, gender. etc.)?

It just shows initials, avatar, country flag, and laps completed.

David

[DavidA]

For me, one thing that I would particularly like, is a way to know who is actually there with me. Even if it was an opt-in option for each person.

Doesn't it already show the Username? Are you saying like a pop-up profile of the user?
And is it to see if you know them or simply 'humanize' those who are with you by having a bit more data on them (ie location, age, gender. etc.)?

If I see the same people often, or seem the same person every so often, but they go at about the same pace, it would be nice to maybe 'say' hello, etc.

David

[Aarav]

I tried real-time after I completed the WOD. It was enjoyable, quick, simple and straightforward. I’ll probably incorporate real-time session in to a weekly routine. I think the 1k course layout gives a different perspective regardless of how many others are on the circuit. I do think they could make the blue pace dots brighter. All told for many of us this is a fantastic addition to ErgData

Post-WOD, I experimented with real-time sessions—enjoyable, quick, and straightforward. Considering making it a weekly routine. The 1k course offers a unique perspective, irrespective of circuit occupancy. Suggesting brighter blue pace dots for enhanced visibility. Overall, a fantastic addition to ErgData, bringing variety and engagement to workouts.

[adccl8z]

Since swapping out my pm3 for a pm5 a few months ago,I've sampled the realtime loop a few times. I like it (as an alternative to plain pm5 metrics) but I'd like to be able to row a set distance/time against the backdrop of the realtime loop. Doesn't look like I can do that, as when I go to program the pm5 for time or distance,the ergdata screen switches away from realtime loop. Any ideas?
Are C2 even developing/enhancing real time loop anymore?

[Jazz]

I love the loop. Its good to know youre not alone.

Id like to be able to say hi too, but sometimes ppl do this by slowing down after the finish, picking each other up of rowing along for a stretch.

Does anyone know if there are different pools you connect to? Maybe same speed league?
It seems so strange that there are always about the same nr of rowers around, and 30 seems like a small nr worldwide.

Jh from holland

[JaapvanE]

It seems so strange that there are always about the same nr of rowers around, and 30 seems like a small nr worldwide.

One would expect that indeed. I row on EXR, and that clearly has patterns in training. In the early morning (before work), between work and dinner and a couple of hours after dinner are much busier than others. As timezones come into play it evens out a bit, but for example the peak around 17:00 CET is quite distinguishable (peaks overlap from two/three timezones).

Jaap (also from NL)

[Carl Watts]

It seems so strange that there are always about the same nr of rowers around, and 30 seems like a small nr worldwide.

One would expect that indeed. I row on EXR, and that clearly has patterns in training. In the early morning (before work), between work and dinner and a couple of hours after dinner are much busier than others. As timezones come into play it evens out a bit, but for example the peak around 17:00 CET is quite distinguishable (peaks overlap from two/three timezones).

Jaap (also from NL)

For some reason rowers are just not into online software.

Used RowPro for 12 years it just never hit critical mass in terms of users and I believe no rowing software ever will.

You can get on Zwift and 24/7 there are always around 3000 inline no matter when you sign in.

Cyclists psychology is different, they like to ride in a peloton, the software is geared to it because in the real world you have that 30% plus drafting effect, the graphics are far more dynamic and the variety of rides and terrain are endless, it just lends itself to great software, that and the fact there are probably 1000 to 1 cyclists vs rowers worldwide.

When you consider that the loop is free and I'm prepared to pay NZD$30 a month to use Zwift it only highlights the difference.

[JaapvanE]

For some reason rowers are just not into online software.

Used RowPro for 12 years it just never hit critical mass in terms of users and I believe no rowing software ever will.

Reality tells a different story. RowPro just had the wrong approach for the average recreational rower. Just the wrong product for the market. An ugly eighties GUI and way too racing oriented. Most people just don't want to race a straight line in the same 8 bit environment each and every training. That kind of repitition gets boring fast.

In EXR you see people row their long distance steady states. Lots of wildly varing environments, even within the locations (Lake EXR with the Polar and Desert environments are my favourite at the moment). And I do not want 3000 people around me, just a handfull to get a good feeling of not being in it alone while not having the feeling you'll end up in a mass crash in the next bend. EXR has adopted quite a smart track design so you'll always encounter people. And often friends just drop in, which is nice.

EXR is profitable, is expanding and has delivered new features every month for the last four years. Just a small and efficient team doing their thing. No need for a small army of developers to keep an antiquated codebase alive.

[Carl Watts]

Rowpro was never just about racing, that was unfortunately everyone's perception with it. Fact is even when you posted up a "training pace row" you couldn't get people to join. It turned out that a time of say 40 minutes was better than a distance like 10k because like it or not nobody wants to come last.

Zwift got round the problem with separate races and the pacer rides, there is noting like joining 50+ riders mixing it up at a pace that suits you.

Rowers just prefer to row solo, that's just the way it is.

[adccl8z]

I would like to virtual row with others. Many others. I have a subscription with EXR but likely will cancel as unless I join the occasional group events (timings of which are not always convenient) I see next to no one. Also I realised only through actually using it (could have realised beforehand) that funky graphics are of little benefit when moving near /far from the display. At the finish, specs needed. At the catch, no specs needed (I don't have / don't want bifocals). So I get sharp visual clarity only once in a stroke. Who needs the fancy graphics for that.
I was very tempted like you have Carl, to switch to indoor cycling (swift or rouvy or..) for these reasons, but, I much prefer rowing as it gives me a full body workout.
Which is why C2 putting more (any!) effort into enhancing Loop would be a good thing, to me at least