For gravel enthusiasts who missed out on entry lotteries for some of the biggest events in the U.S., a new partnership is offering a second chance to experience these challenges—virtually.
Rouvy, the Czech-based virtual riding platform, has teamed up with Life Time to bring six of its premier gravel events to riders worldwide. The collaboration is part of a two-year sponsorship agreement aimed at expanding the reach of gravel riding through virtual experiences.
Starting soon, riders will be able to experience the Sea Otter Classic, Unbound, Big Sugar Gravel, Leadville 100, Crusher in the Tushar, and the Rad Dirt Fest on Rouvy’s platform. These events, renowned for their tough, expansive courses, will now be accessible from the comfort of home, thanks to Rouvy’s augmented reality technology.
For those who have successfully secured entry to Life Time’s in-person events, the sponsorship will provide digital activation codes. These codes will allow participants to preview the courses virtually before their real-life rides, offering a detailed simulation of the rugged terrain they’ll face.
Rouvy’s augmented reality system pairs video footage with digital riders and heads-up displays, giving participants a realistic sense of the course’s challenges. As part of the collaboration, these iconic events will be made available on Rouvy throughout the season, with plans for future gravel events to be added.
Rouvy’s platform also allows users to create their own courses by uploading personal videos. To further expand the gravel riding experience, Rouvy plans to launch a new AI route creator tool, set to debut in the coming months. This innovation will allow virtual riders from around the world to explore and enjoy the U.S. gravel scene.
“We are continuously seeking ways to offer engaging indoor riding experiences for our users,” said Petr Samek, co-founder and CEO of Rouvy. The outdoor gravel scene has seen significant growth in recent years, but the indoor cycling community has not kept pace—until now. This partnership will bring the excitement of Life Time’s legendary gravel events to life in our realistic, high-quality virtual routes.”
The Life Time Grand Prix series begins on April 10 with the Sea Otter Classic gravel race and runs through October, concluding with the Big Sugar Gravel on October 18.
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