TexasBubba

I did a search and read a bunch of posts about how you guys are using the virtual partner, but I'm still unsure as to what it exactly is. Is it your last or best run on a route? Is it something the Garmin comes up with just to push you in your training?

P.S. I posted this over in the Electronics forum, but it's not getting any views. Sorry if it's in the wrong spot...

mimis

it's you vs your best effort on a particular ride, but it's totally unreliable at least on my 305. I've given up on VP.. Maybe Garmin has improved VP feature on later models, find out for yourself

furiousferret

I've never tried it either, curious to see if ppl find it useful.

rizz

There's another Garmin thread on this very same sub-forum that discusses it, how it's used and places where you can make route sheets.

And there's an ``electronics'' forum? Who knew?

azdroptop

I've used a couple of times for TT's. Basically you take a previous ride you've done on the exact same course and turn it into a route. Hit start when the TT starts and off you go. It may not match up perfectly, but it gives you a good idea how you are going.

TexasBubba

Thanks for the responses. I've been following the other threads, but didn't see anything that actually said how the unit comes up with the route, speed, etc. Maybe I missed it.

I'm trying to convince myself to get one... I'm almost there!

Psimet2001 

That has to do with "courses". The Virtual Partner deal only works with "Routes" to the best of my knowledge.

To load a route you have to take one that you have already ridden and turn it into a route. Then when you start it you will be racing the virtual partner (your best time on the same route).

When you program in a course you can specify an average speed you want to maintain and it will show a trianing partner on the map showing them in front of or behind you, but you don't get the same virtual partner graphics and stats IIRC.

rfomenko

Are there regular cyclocomputers with something compatible to the "Virtual Partner" available (i.e. the ones without GPS & less expensive). Can someone recommend any?

rizz

That's exactly how it works and how I do mine. Between that and my heart rate, it keeps me pretty motivated to stay on-task during a few of my regular rides.

merlinextraligh

The up and down aero on many models, indicating whether your average speed is raising or dropping could be used largely to the same effect. Not quite as fancy.

luv2climb

The virtual partner feature is available when you are navigating a course only, not a route. To get a course onto your Garmin Edge series computer you have several ways to go about it.
1) Ride the route yourself
2) Use on online tool like www.bikeroutetoaster.com
3) Use Mapsource and some other freeware to create it yourself

The VP feature will allow you to see how far ahead/behind you are of the partner (or yourself if you use option 1 above). The partners speed is fixed based on how fast you rode in the file that you created the ride from. You cannont change the speed of the VP on the Edge. You can change it on your computer if you are comfortable working in XML.

You will also see the VP on the map along the course that you are riding. In addition you will see the VP on the elevation profile ahead/behind you.

I use the course and VP feature on a regular basis. It is very cool!