This free indoor cycling app is challenging the leaders, and you can use it to ride with Cyclingnews on Wednesday evening

MyWhoosh is one of the many indoor cycling apps to have sprung into life over the past decade, but unlike many of its competitors, it's free to use. There's no monthly fee, no subscription, and while you're welcome to upgrade your experience with in-game purchases, there's no need or pressure to do so.

It's the platform on which Cyclingnews has chosen to host its weekly 'Autobus' ride, in which readers and staff from the CN team alike take time to wind down each Wednesday evening, with a social spin in one of MyWhoosh's many worlds.

This Wednesday, September 17, the latest instalment will be one lap of 'Mount Grizzly', the 18.5km long circuit in the 'California' world.

No matter whether you're an avid reader who's been with us since the '90s, or you discovered us this morning while reading our latest wind tunnel aero bikes test.

Taking place at 6pm BST (1pm EST / 9pm GST) on MyWhoosh, 'The Autobus Ride' weekly social spin is completely free to join, via the popular (and free-of-charge) indoor cycling platform.

It will last approximately 45 minutes, and will be a relaxed affair at an average of around 2-3w/kg.

What is an autobus in cycling?

Otherwise known as a grupetto, an Autobus is defined as a group of cyclists formed at the back of a race. Named simply by the French in the early 1900s after the everyday mode of public transport, because there's usually a 'driver' - an experienced rider who dictates the pace - and passengers all working together to reach the finish within the time cut.

It describes riders with a collective goal of working together to complete the race. It is a great way to conserve energy and find companionship along the way.

It's the perfect description for the new Cyclingnews Autobus Ride on MyWhoosh, where we 'ride easy, talk plenty.'

This week's route

This week, we will head to California to take on a single lap of 'Mount Grizzly'.

This is a course punctuated at the halfway mark by a chunky ascent of the Umunhum climb. There's a total of 165 metres to ascend across the 20.1km ride, most of which comes courtesy of that climb.

There are two segments on course. The first is the climb, which starts at 8.9km and lasts 1.5km. The second is the Alcatraz sprint at 14.2km, stretching just 300 metres.

You're free to attack these, but remember this is a social ride so wait for the group once you've had your fun, or you'll be riding alone 'til the finish.

How to join

To join the ride, simply head into your MyWhoosh app on mobile or desktop, head to Events, and scroll down until you see The Cyclingnews Autobus and the CN logo.

We'll see you on the virtual road!