i-Magic Fortius Virtual Reality Trainer
Wouldn’t it be great if you could ride the Alpe d’Huez during the Tour de France – suffering through every climb and every hairpin turn — while on your trainer at home?
Definitely cool. But think of what it would take for somebody to create that …. I mean, first, they’d have to get someone to climb the Alpe d’Huez during the Tour with a video camera on their helmet, while somebody else recorded every feature of the road and synced it up with every moment of the ride.
Then, they’d have to calculate what you’d need to do on your trainer to generate the same stresses as on the actual terrain. But, since your trainer wouldn’t really be able to accurately replicate every screaming, downhill run or brutal, uphill climb on the mighty Alpe, they’d have to create an extra brake unit that could do it — in perfect synchronization with what you were seeing when you watched the video on your screen.
If they did, all you’d have to do would be to hook up your bike to a trainer base, add the steering frame, then pop the video in and you’d be riding the Alpes – pushing past the cheering crowds, as the pressed onto the road ahead of you, cranking up the watts and suffering like you’re gonna die!
It would be truly awesome. But who would make such a thing? Tacx already did. Not just for pros — for me and you. And believe me, a description won’t suffice. The i-Magic Fortius Virtual Reality Trainer will completely blow you away!
Even VeloNews says, “Fortius is billed as a ‘virtual reality trainer,’ a claim that may seem overly modest when you witness the stunning capabilities of this amazing device.”
Tacx hasn’t just created live action rides from the Alpe d’Huez either. They’ve got live rides on the Mont Ventoux, the Tour of Flanders, the Passo Gavia and the Iron Horse Classic and others. Now that they’ve got people dazzled, it’s obviously in their best interest — and ours — to keep adding more.
The Fortius also allows you to create your own virtual reality race, choosing male or female riders, the attributes of the race and a variety of terrains. Naturally, it also comes with Analyzer Software to give you training information about the ride.
It isn’t cheap, but as with all technology, it costs to be an early adopter. And the Fortius is truly cutting edge. Do not avoid watching one of their demos. [Click Products / VR Trainer / Real Life Video then any selection to see a demo.]
Check out the unbelievable range of rides and variations available for this trainer on the site for Tacx too. You might be there for hours, but you will not regret it!