Why Cyclists Are Filming Their Rides
A quiet revolution is happening in cycling: riders are turning their everyday rides into content — and income. The creator economy has reached cycling, and platforms like CycleRun are making it possible for anyone with a camera and a bike to earn money.
Here's why it matters:
- Indoor cycling is booming — millions of riders want scenic routes to ride at home
- POV videos are in demand — first-person perspective cycling videos are the core content of virtual cycling platforms
- Monetization is real — CycleRun creators earn 70% of every premium route purchase
- Low barrier to entry — a GoPro and a chest mount is all you need to start
If you already ride beautiful roads, you're sitting on a content goldmine.
Best Cameras for POV Cycling
You don't necessarily need a GoPro. Here are the top options:
| Camera | Price | Stabilization | Battery | Weight | GPS |
| GoPro Hero 13 | ~$400 | HyperSmooth 6.0 | 1.5-2h | 154g | Yes |
| GoPro Hero 12 | ~$350 | HyperSmooth 6.0 | 1.5-2h | 154g | Yes |
| GoPro Hero 11 | ~$250 | HyperSmooth 5.0 | 1-1.5h | 154g | Yes |
| DJI Osmo Action 5 | ~$350 | RockSteady 3.0+ | 2-2.5h | 145g | Yes |
| Insta360 Ace Pro | ~$380 | FlowState | 1.5-2h | 177g | Yes |
| Phone (waterproof case) | You have one | Varies | 1-3h | Varies | Via app |
Our recommendation: GoPro Hero 12 offers the best value. If budget is tight, a used Hero 11 for ~$200 is excellent. DJI Osmo Action 5 has the best battery life.
The Perfect GoPro Settings
These settings are optimized for CycleRun route videos:
| Setting | Value | Why |
| Resolution | 1080p | Perfect quality, manageable file size |
| Frame Rate | 30 fps | Smooth, natural motion. 60fps only for slow-motion edits |
| Stabilization | HyperSmooth HIGH | Eliminates vibration. Don't use BOOST (crops too much) |
| FOV (Field of View) | Wide | Shows the road + surroundings. Not SuperView (too distorted) |
| Color Profile | Natural | Realistic colors. Riders want to see the real landscape |
| GPS | ON | Critical for GPX data → elevation simulation in CycleRun |
| Audio | Wind Reduction ON | Reduces wind noise. Some riders enjoy ambient sounds |
| Orientation | Landscape | Always. Never portrait for cycling videos |
Quick Settings Cheat Sheet:
1080p / 30fps / HyperSmooth HIGH / Wide / Natural / GPS ON
Save this as a preset on your GoPro so you can start recording with one tap.
Mounting: Chest vs Handlebar vs Helmet
| Position | Stability | Perspective | Recommended? |
| Chest mount | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Natural rider view | Best for CycleRun |
| Handlebar | ⭐⭐⭐ | Road-focused, vibrates | ⚠️ Okay with stabilization |
| Helmet | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Head movements visible | Too much head bob |
| Chin mount | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Motorbike-style | ⚠️ Good if you have one |
Chest mount tips:
- Tilt the camera 15-20° upward so the horizon is in the upper third
- Tighten the strap firmly — any looseness = vibration
- The GoPro should sit roughly at your sternum level
- Test angle before you ride: check the preview on your phone via GoPro app
Recording GPX Data
GPX (GPS Exchange Format) is an XML file that records your route coordinates, elevation, and timestamps. When paired with your video, CycleRun can simulate realistic inclines and resistance changes.
How to record GPX:
Option 1: GoPro's built-in GPS (easiest)
- Turn on GPS in GoPro settings
- After the ride, extract GPX using gopro2gpx or GoPro Quik app
Option 2: Cycling computer (most accurate)
- Garmin, Wahoo, Bryton — all export GPX
- Download from Garmin Connect, Wahoo app, or device directly
Option 3: Phone app (free)
- Strava, Komoot, or RideWithGPS all record GPX
- Start recording before you ride, export GPX after
Option 4: No GPX (still works)
- Routes without GPX still work on CycleRun
- They just won't have elevation-based resistance simulation
- You can always add GPX later
Editing Your Route Video
Keep it simple. CycleRun riders want an authentic, raw experience — not a YouTube vlog.
Minimal editing checklist:
- Trim start and end (remove the "reaching for the camera" moments)
- Stabilize if your camera doesn't have built-in EIS (DaVinci Resolve = free)
- Export as MP4, H.264 codec, 1080p, 30fps
- Don't add music, text overlays, transitions, or effects
- Don't add a watermark or logo
- Upload to YouTube as Unlisted (CycleRun embeds YouTube videos)
File size: A 30-minute 1080p/30fps video is approximately 3-5 GB raw, 1-2 GB after compression.
Earn Money: Upload to CycleRun
CycleRun's Creator Program turns your rides into passive income:
The deal:
- 70% revenue share — you earn 70% of every premium route purchase
- Free to join — no membership fee, no upfront cost
- Instant activation — create your account and start uploading immediately, no approval needed
- You own your content — no exclusivity, upload anywhere else too
- Dashboard — track views, sales, and earnings in real-time
How to upload:
- Go to cyclerun.app/creator/dashboard
- Create your free creator account (one-click activation)
- Fill in route details: title (EN + DE), description, distance, elevation, difficulty
- Paste your YouTube video URL
- Upload thumbnail image + GPX file (optional)
- Set your price in Credits (0 = free)
- Accept the 3 legal checkboxes (ownership, original content, terms)
- Submit for review
Your route goes through a brief review, then appears in the Route Store for thousands of riders to discover.
Your First Upload Checklist
Use this before submitting your first route:
- [ ] Video recorded in 1080p, landscape, stable footage
- [ ] Start/end trimmed, no dead time
- [ ] Uploaded to YouTube (Unlisted)
- [ ] GPX file exported (optional but recommended)
- [ ] Thumbnail image ready (landscape, shows the route scenery)
- [ ] Route metadata: distance, elevation gain, estimated duration, difficulty
- [ ] Title and description in English AND German (CycleRun is bilingual)
- ] Creator account created at [cyclerun.app/creator/dashboard
- [ ] Price set (start with free routes to build ratings, then go premium)
Pro tip: Upload 2-3 free routes first to build ratings and visibility. Then start pricing premium routes. Riders who loved your free content will gladly pay for more.
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Related Guides
- Virtual Cycling Videos
- Indoor Cycling Without Smart Trainer
- Komoot Routes for Indoor Cycling
- Strava Routes for Indoor Cycling