BLE Sync Cycle

Overview

BLE Sync Cycle is a Go application designed to synchronize video playback with real-time cycling data from Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) devices, such as cycling speed and cadence (CSC) sensors. This integration provides users with a more immersive indoor cycling experience by matching video playback with their actual cycling pace, making it a great option when outdoor cycling isn't feasible.

Features

• Real-time synchronization between cycling speed and video playback
• Support for compliant Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) Cycling Speed and Cadence (CSC) sensors (configured for speed mode)
• TOML-based configuration for application customizations that include:
  • BLE sensor setup (BD_ADDR)
  • Bluetooth device scanning timeout
  • Wheel circumference, required for accurate speed conversion
  • Support for different speed units: miles per hour (mph) and kilometers per hour (km/h)
  • Speed smoothing option for a more natural video playback
  • Configurable choice of video file for playback
  • Various display options for optimal video playback, including:
    • The display of sensor speed, video playback speed and playback time remaining via on-screen display (OSD)
    • Video window scaling (full screen, half screen, etc.)
    • OSD font size
• Simple command-line interface provides real-time application status
  • Command-line flag options provide for easy override of configuration settings, including:
    • Location of the configuration file
      • Allowing for the creation of multiple configuration files that can be created to support different cycling sessions and different bicycle configurations
    • Where to start video playback (seek functionality)
    • Display of application usage/help information
• Configurable logging levels (debug, info, warn, error) to manage the information displayed during application execution
• Graceful handling of connection interrupts and system signals ensures all components shut down cleanly upon application exit

Rationale

This project was developed to address a specific need: how can I continue cycling when the weather outside is less than ideal?

While there are several existing solutions that allow for "virtual" indoor cycling, such as Zwift and Rouvy, these typically require the purchase of specialized training equipment (often preventing the use of your own bike), a subscription to compatible online virtual cycling services, and a reliable broadband Internet connection.

My needs are a bit different:

• I want to train using my own bicycle. Since I prefer riding recumbents, it wouldn’t make sense for me to train on a traditional upright trainer
• I need a solution that can function with minimal dependencies and without requiring an Internet connection, as I live in a rural part of the Pacific Northwest where both electricity and Internet access can be unreliable at best

Check out my Watchfile Remote [Rust Edition] project for an example of how I handle our regular loss of Internet service here in the woods of the Pacific Northwest

• I want flexibility in the solutions and components that I use, as I typically like to tweak the systems I work with. Call me crazy, but I suspect it's my nature as an engineer to tinker...

Since I already use a (non-digital) bicycle trainer while riding indoors, it made sense for me to find a way to pair my existing Bluetooth cycling sensors with a local computer which could then drive some kind of interesting feedback while cycling. This project was created to fit that need.

Want to Know More?

For more information about BLE Sync Cycle, check out the BLE Sync Cycle project wiki. The wiki includes the following sections:

• Hardware and software requirements
• Application installation
  • Configuring the application to best suit your own needs
• Running the application
  • Stepping through an example application startup
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
• Project roadmap
• Acknowledgements
  • A big thanks to the various package owners that made this project possible
• Project license

Enjoy!