Golden Cheetah Get Riding Quickly

by ucanmakeit

1.5K00

Intro: Golden Cheetah Get Riding Quickly

Golden Cheetah is known for it's steep learning curve. I found out just how hard when all I wanted to do was get on the bike and ride. I created this to hopefully get you up faster than it took me. I had a difficult time finding answers online to the problems I encountered.

Golden Cheetah is also called GC. The GC version used here is 3.6 Development build 1.5.21. I used this version because it contains Bluetooth BTLE support for Windows 10 for connecting my trainer.

I keep this as simple as possible to get you riding quickly. It is a bare minimum set up. Just your trainer. I do not use a video with the ride. In this example, I use a previous ride file to create a GC Workout to then ride using GC. I assume you know how to use your device and have a compatible trainer and know how to use it. I have included screen shots whenever possible. I found after set up I was not able to recreate some steps so that's why there are no screen shots at times.

STEP 1: Download GC

Go to the GC website on the device you want to use riding and download and install GC

STEP 2: Set Up GC

  1. Add Athlete
  2. Input CP. CP is critical power. Place your FTP as CP.

STEP 3: Create a Workout Using a Ride File

  1. Upload a previous ride file by going to Train, Activity, Import From File, then navigate to your ride file and select it. Select Save when prompted unless you want to change the date/time. The ride file will be copied not removed. The imported ride file will appear under Activities in GC.
  2. Select the newly added ride file under Activities, then select Train on the left menu. Select Tools, Create A New Workout, Import Selected Activity, Next, Finish, name it, and then select Save.

STEP 4: Riding Using Your New Workout

  1. Go to Train (fan icon) on left menu. Select the Toggle Sidebar icon just to the right of top center. It looks like a square with a black vertical bar on the left side. This action adds a column to the right of the Train icon that includes sections like Devices which includes your trainer (after we add it in step 3 below) and Workouts which includes the ride file you just converted to a Workout in the last step.
  2. Turn Bluetooth on. With Windows 10 when you turn on bluetooth wifi will turn off. This is normal. You do not need wifi to ride with GC.
  3. In the Devices section, select the three horizontal lines to the right of the word Devices. Select Add Device, the type of connection you are using for your trainer, Next, Next, give your trainer a name, and then select Finish. Your trainer should now appear under the Devices section. If it does not check Bluetooth is on. Check you used the right type of connection for your trainer based on your trainer's capabilities and any accessories needed for using the connection type. Is your trainer on not sleeping and in discovery mode if applicable?
  4. Select your trainer in the Devices list. The app controls are in the bottom row. Hit the red power button icon to connect to your trainer. Messages in the box on the right side appear very briefly. It shows connected, disconnected, and so forth. The power button icon will turn green when connected. None of the other app controls will work until your trainer is connected. In the Workouts section, select the Workout you just created. Then hit the play button icon to start. The pause icon well pauses and the stop icon well stops.
  5. Esc minimizes the app