Wattage Cottage Episode 5: Garmin + TrainingPeaks and Femmes Fever

On July 22, Garmin announced its acquisition of TrainingPeaks, including TrainingPeaks Virtual. Dave, Shane, and Eric unpack theories about why Garmin made this move, and how Zwift may respond to a company with a big war chest buying a well-engineered indoor cycling platform.

Then we move on to Tour Fever - specifically the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift currently underway. What sort of impact has Zwift's long-term sponsorship of the marquee women's cycling event had on the sport? Has it moved the needle? Will it continue to do so?

Of course, Zwift's in-game Tour Fever series is underway as well, wrapping up next week. How has it been received by the community? Are people chasing the bucket hat, or have they become conscientious objectors like Eric?

Zwift rolled out the Paris expansion just in time for Le Tour while also adding a pile of Tour-raced bikes and wheels to the Drop Shop. What does the community think of the new roads, and what do riders think of the new bikes? Eric discusses the fresh quandary facing Zwifters: is it worth buying and upgrading another bike, just to gain a second or two?

After a check-in with Shane and Eric to learn what they're cooking up in their respective labs, Dave tries to start a fight by setting the co-hosts up for a bit of a debate. What's better: one company owning your device, data, training platform, and virtual world? Or a messy, competitive market with multiple innovators who don't always play together nicely but keep each other honest? 

And that's a wrap. Thanks for listening! Leave a review if the show is landing for you, and share us with your cycling friends. Word of mouth is how independent podcasts grow.