Indoor cycling

I trip over the rowing machine in my office just about every day. At the moment, it's sporting a backpack, hoodie and my distressed burgundy baseball cap. It requires no setup – just have a seat, grab the handle, and it's go time. Somehow, I still tend to favour my indoor trainer, even though it takes a bit longer to get ready to ride.

You've felt it before, haven't you? You had a bad week, a rough day at work and you really didn't feel like going on that ride. But afterwards, you were so glad you did. Your head is quieter, your soul is at peace and you feel better than you have in days.

The bike is useful for runners when it has a job. It can add aerobic work without another set of foot strikes, keep a disrupted week moving, or rest your legs from the pavement. It shouldn't become a second programme piled on top of a full running week.

Looking for an indoor ride that stays connected to the roads you love outside? Here are five reasons to try ROUVY.

On ROUVY, you can ride socially with others in three main ways: join an existing group ride, create one for your own friends or use Ride now to join a friend already cycling on a route. Each option suits a different situation, from an organised public event with a shared start to a spontaneous ride with one or two friends. This guide explains how all three work, where to find upcoming rides and how ROUVY's social features help riders organise and stay connected.

Indoor cycling routines give each trainer session a clear purpose, helping you use limited training time more effectively when weather, daylight or a busy schedule keeps you indoors. A productive routine sets the intensity, recovery and duration in advance, so you can complete the important work without making every ride unnecessarily hard.

Indoor cycling workouts give every session a purpose, even when you only have half an hour. A well-chosen workout can build endurance, improve your FTP, prepare your legs for long climbs or sharpen the short bursts needed to close a gap. ROUVY pairs structured power targets with real-world route video, so you can complete the work while watching an actual road unfold ahead of you. These eight workouts cover a useful range of durations and training goals, helping you choose a session that fits both your available time and what you want to improve.

You don't need fancy gear, perfect clothes, big muscles or an expensive bike. All you need is a bike and a helmet, and boom – you're a cyclist.

The Alpine Panorama Route crosses Switzerland from St. Margrethen in the east to Aigle in the west, linking rolling farmland, historic towns, high passes and the northern foothills of the Alps. With 475 km and around 9,200 m of ascent, it is a serious multi-day ride. On ROUVY, you can take on its Swiss roads and Alpine views from home.