Wahoo and Routes

[Alex321]

Are you sure it's the default?

That is what Wahoo say.

Understanding Automatic Uploads:​

- If the ELEMNT BOLT is connected to the ELEMNT companion app, then the companion app will automatically share the workout to your selected share sites.
- If the ELEMNT BOLT is not connected to the ELEMNT companion app and the workout is finished within range of a saved wireless network, then the ELEMNT BOLT will perform the automatic sharing of the workout file to your selected share sites.

I used the Elemnt for several years and now Roam MK2. My set up is only as the User Guide directs, no bespoke changes, and both devices upload to Strava, RWGPS, Komoot and MFP as soon I arrive home. The WiFi connection is automatic.

When I open the app, go to History, the ride shows as uploaded but still has to sync with the app. I can watch the sync progress. I never run the app while riding.

By saying it is the default, I mean that is what it will use if it is available. It doesn't mean it will wait until the app is available before uploading.

 

[lazybloke]

Am i right that RidewithGPS needs a paid subscription to offer routes with turn-by-turn notifications?

 

[Baldy]

Am i right that RidewithGPS needs a paid subscription to offer routes with turn-by-turn notifications?

I believe so.

 

[Alex321]

Am i right that RidewithGPS needs a paid subscription to offer routes with turn-by-turn notifications?

No.

I get turn by turn notifications on my routes created with RWGPS, and I don't have a paid subscription.

 

[PaulSB]

By saying it is the default, I mean that is what it will use if it is available. It doesn't mean it will wait until the app is available before uploading.

i see what you mean but this isn't, to my mind, the meaning of default.

In tech terms I think default is the option that is preselected by the software unless the user has the user has specified an alternative. The default for a Wahoo is to upload from the device when in range of saved WiFi. I may well be wrong but that's my understanding.

 

[lazybloke]

No.

I get turn by turn notifications on my routes created with RWGPS, and I don't have a paid subscription.

I use cycle.travel when making my own routes.

If i try to download someone else's route from rudewithgps, it only lets me select turn,-by-turn notifications when i'm subscribed.

 

[Alex321]

i see what you mean but this isn't, to my mind, the meaning of default.

In tech terms I think default is the option that is preselected by the software unless the user has the user has specified an alternative.

In this case, the user cannot specify an alternative, and I regard the default as the one the software will choose when it has a choice.

The default for a Wahoo is to upload from the device when in range of saved WiFi. I may well be wrong but that's my understanding.

That is not what Wahoo say. According to them, it will always upload via the app if it has a connection to it, and will only upload directly via WiFi if it doesn't have that connection.

So either your understanding is wrong, or Wahoo are wrong about how their device works.

 

[Sea of vapours]

May I suggest that debate over what the Wahoo data transfer defaults are, as well as what a default actually is, is somewhat academic from a user perspective, given that the head unit will use whichever is available for completed ride upload? More pertinent is to understand that Wahoo devices require a mixture of a) a Bluetooth connection to the phone running the Elemnt App, b) a connection to the Internet via WiFi for different tasks, and that some of those tasks will *only* use one or the other.

In summary: just about all tasks which might be regarded as 'syncing' will work across WiFi (maps, routes, Stava Live Segments, Planned Workouts, completed rides), as will firmware updates, whereas some of those won't work across Bluetooth due to Bluetooth being low bandwidth. Additionally, configuration of the device and phone message / alerts type things only work across Bluetooth. It's all in the section 'Connectivity requirements by ELEMNT Feature', which is the fourth sub-heading on this support page: https://support.wahoofitness.com/hc...ireless-Connectivity-for-ELEMNT-BOLT-and-ROAM

This stuff is primarily relevant in the 'things you can't do over Bluetooth' context. For example: it means that getting routes onto the head unit might involve a bit of faffing without a wifi connection, if those routes are in Komoot, Strava, etc. (Using the phone as a hotspot for the head unit works to do this.)

 

[PaulSB]

May I suggest that debate over what the Wahoo data transfer defaults are, as well as what a default actually is, is somewhat academic from a user perspective, given that the head unit will use whichever is available for completed ride upload? More pertinent is to understand that Wahoo devices require a mixture of a) a Bluetooth connection to the phone running the Elemnt App, b) a connection to the Internet via WiFi for different tasks, and that some of those tasks will *only* use one or the other.

In summary: just about all tasks which might be regarded as 'syncing' will work across WiFi (maps, routes, Stava Live Segments, Planned Workouts, completed rides), as will firmware updates, whereas some of those won't work across Bluetooth due to Bluetooth being low bandwidth. Additionally, configuration of the device and phone message / alerts type things only work across Bluetooth. It's all in the section 'Connectivity requirements by ELEMNT Feature', which is the fourth sub-heading on this support page: https://support.wahoofitness.com/hc...ireless-Connectivity-for-ELEMNT-BOLT-and-ROAM

This stuff is primarily relevant in the 'things you can't do over Bluetooth' context. For example: it means that getting routes onto the head unit might involve a bit of faffing without a wifi connection, if those routes are in Komoot, Strava, etc. (Using the phone as a hotspot for the head unit works to do this.)

Yes, you're right about the Default debate, it is largely irrelevant. I would though disagree with the last point about transferring routes without WiFi. If one has a file for the required route on the same device as the Elemnt app transfer is very simple. Select the .fit, .gpx, .tcx file > chose "Open In" > then "Copy to Elemnt." The next time the Wahoo and Elemnt app are connected one can simply select the route in the app and load it on to the Wahoo in the usual way. The route will show as a Wahoo created route rather than an RWGPS, Strava, Komoot created route.

 

[Binky]

No it doesn't on desktop but on mobile app you do need paid subscription.

So I create RWGPS route on desktop (Windows) then transfer to Wahoo Bolt

Am i right that RidewithGPS needs a paid subscription to offer routes with turn-by-turn notifications?

 

[Sea of vapours]

... I would though disagree with the last point about transferring routes without WiFi. If one has a file for the required route on the same device as the Elemnt app transfer is very simple. Select the .fit, .gpx, .tcx file > ...

Oh I don't disagree at all in principle, but the 'if' there is doing a fair bit of work. I know at least three instances of three different people who are not comfortable with transferring files between applications (at least not knowingly!) who failed to get a route onto their head unit when they needed to for this reason. The number of questions which arise of the form 'how do I get a route onto my head unit from X service / app' shows that quite a few people don't find this stuff as obvious as they'd like and as obvious as it might appear to others, and it's edge cases which tend to be those which catch people out.

 

[PaulSB]

Oh I don't disagree at all in principle, but the 'if' there is doing a fair bit of work. I know at least three instances of three different people who are not comfortable with transferring files between applications (at least not knowingly!) who failed to get a route onto their head unit when they needed to for this reason. The number of questions which arise of the form 'how do I get a route onto my head unit from X service / app' shows that quite a few people don't find this stuff as obvious as they'd like and as obvious as it might appear to others, and it's edge cases which tend to be those which catch people out.

Yes, and this is an issue across society in general but we can't/shouldn't debate that in here. I'm guilty of assuming that because people are comfortable to plot routes etc. they are equally comfortable or knowledgeable to get routes on to a device in a variety of ways.

I often hear friends or club members talk of "pin this" "star that" use "send to device" when it isn't necessary. Often they find the route isn't available, usually because the device hasn't been synced.

Much of this is a hangover from the days when a Garmin had to be physically connected to the device which held the route. That was fun five minutes before being due to set off to the meet point!! 🤣

 

[Alex321]

No it doesn't on desktop but on mobile app you do need paid subscription.

So I create RWGPS route on desktop (Windows) then transfer to Wahoo Bolt

I didn't know that. I've never used the mobile app, and didn't realise it would be different in that respect.

 

[lazybloke]

No it doesn't on desktop but on mobile app you do need paid subscription.

This was on a desktop (windows 11, chrome or firefox browser).
If I checked the box for turn notifications when downloading, it insisted on a subscription. I'm subscribed now, otherwise I'd do a screenshot.

Thinking about it, I can't remember which subscription it insisted upon.

 

[Binky]

This was on a desktop (windows 11, chrome or firefox browser).
If I checked the box for turn notifications when downloading, it insisted on a subscription. I'm subscribed now, otherwise I'd do a screenshot.

Thinking about it, I can't remember which subscription it insisted upon.

Last time I plotted route was Nov when I was last in Mallorca riding and definitely free on desktop then. I'm away from home at moment but when I'm back I'll check on my home pc and see if still free