I’ve been working on a new feature for Velodapt called Workout Missions.
Workout Missions combine structured workouts with interactive mission objectives. During specific free ride sections you’ll be given challenges to complete. After the ride, Velodapt automatically evaluates your performance and generates a detailed mission debrief with scores for each challenge.
The feature is nearing release, and before opening it to all Velodapt users I’d like to invite a small group of Zwifters to participate in a short pre-release beta.
The initial beta includes three mission types, with additional missions planned based on feedback and community interest. The first set of missions includes:
Reactor Stabilization - Maintain control of a failing reactor through a series of precision challenges.
The Getaway - Track and intercept a fleeing crew before they escape.
Orbital Intercept - Execute a series of precision maneuvers to rendezvous with a target in orbit.
I’m looking for riders who enjoy structured workouts and are willing to provide feedback on things such as:
Mission difficulty and challenge design
Scoring and post-ride debriefs
Mission length and pacing
Ideas for future mission themes
Interest in longer missions or training-focused missions (sweet spot, threshold, VO₂max, sprint, climbing, etc.)
As a thank-you for participating, beta testers will receive complimentary credits and early access to Workout Missions.
If you’d like to participate in the pre-release beta:
Your website looks nice and I appreciate that you are upfront on the AI workout creation.
Could you upload a sample video (private) and send a link so that myself or others you select can see what your “Mission” looks like? I’m having difficulty understanding that aspect of the workout. Is it a dialogue-based or audio?
You may know that Zwift had some games in the system, segment efforts, paper-boy, and gold coin collecting. All of them were popular. If you can make a workout more exciting and engaging, great.
I did like a game version where you were being chased by dragons and had to sprint at times to escape them. Fun but not advantageous.
The missions are text-based rather than audio-based. They use the same workout instruction system that Zwift normally uses to display interval guidance, but instead of generic workout prompts the text becomes part of an ongoing mission narrative.
For example, during a Reactor Stabilization mission, the workout text explains what’s happening in the story and provides instructions for the challenge you’re about to perform. When the challenge begins, you’re given a specific objective to complete. Once the workout is finished, you return to Velodapt where the ride is automatically analyzed and a mission debrief is generated showing how successfully each challenge was completed.
One thing that makes Workout Missions a little different from some of the games and challenges that have appeared in Zwift over the years is that the challenges are actually scored. The goal isn’t simply to complete the workout, but to execute each mission objective as accurately as possible and then try to improve your score on future attempts.
The workout structures themselves are fixed so scores remain comparable between attempts, but the mission narrative is generated dynamically which helps keep repeat rides feeling fresh.
I agree completely that making workouts more engaging is the interesting part. One of the reasons I’m running the beta is to learn what types of mission themes, challenges, and scoring mechanics riders would enjoy most.
Unfortunately I’m recovering from a gravel bike crash and fractured elbow at the moment, so creating a demonstration video is a little difficult right now. Hopefully some beta participants will be able to share their impressions once they’ve had a chance to try the missions themselves.
Hey all - Velodapt is one of Zwift’s offically supported training platform partners (listed here), and we encourage anyone interested in trying it out to take Paul up on his offer.
A couple of housekeeping notes from your forum admin:
This Zwift-owned forum is neutral ground for Zwifters to discuss these training platforms as consumers of those platforms, and not so much for our partners to conduct their business here.
Reactor Stabilization - Maintain control of a failing reactor through a series of precision challenges.
The Getaway - Track and intercept a fleeing crew before they escape.
Orbital Intercept - Execute a series of precision maneuvers to rendezvous with a target in orbit.