Getting Started as an Athlete
Welcome! This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to start competing in WMV Cycling Series events.
What You'll Need
- ✅ A Strava account (free or paid)
- ✅ A bike and the ability to ride segments
- ✅ A web browser (any modern browser works)
- ❌ No special software or apps to install
The Quick Version (90 seconds)
- Go to https://wmv-cycling-series-production.up.railway.app
- Click "Connect with Strava"
- Approve the permissions
- You're done! Your Strava activities will automatically sync
Your First Event
Step 1: Check the Event Schedule
When an admin creates a weekly event, you'll see it on the homepage. Each event shows:
- Segment name (what you'll be riding)
- Date and time window (when to complete it)
- Required reps (how many times up the segment)
Step 2: Ride the Segment
During the event window:
- Load up the segment in Strava
- Complete the segment the required number of times in one activity
- Make sure it's a real ride (or a stationary bike sync) - no manual entries
- Finish within the time window
Important: Your reps need to be in the same activity. Two separate rides don't combine.
Step 3: Wait for Results
After the event window closes, an admin will fetch the results. This usually happens within an hour. Your leaderboard position will appear automatically!
Where to Find Things
Home Page
- Week selector - See upcoming events and past results
- Quick navigation - Jump to leaderboards or your profile
Weekly Leaderboard
After results are posted, you'll see:
- Rank (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.)
- Your time on the segment
- Points earned this week
- Whether you got a PR bonus
Season Leaderboard
Shows cumulative points across all weeks. The highest total wins the season!
Understanding Your Performance
Your Time: The total time it took to complete all required reps in your best activity that day.
Your Rank: Where you finished compared to others (fastest = 1st).
Points Earned: Based on how many people you beat, plus bonuses (see PR Bonuses for details).
Common Questions
Q: Can I submit multiple activities? A: Only your fastest qualifying activity counts. If you ride the segment twice on the same day, the system automatically picks the faster one.
Q: What if my activity doesn't show up? A: Make sure it:
- Was completed during the event time window
- Contains the correct segment
- Has the required number of reps (all in one activity)
- Is saved on Strava (wait a few minutes after finishing)
Q: Can I disconnect and reconnect? A: Yes! You can disconnect anytime from your profile. To rejoin, just click "Connect" again.
Q: What happens to my data? A: You can request deletion anytime. Your data will be permanently removed within 48 hours. See our Privacy Policy for details.
Next Steps
Still stuck? Check the FAQ or ask your race organizer for help!