Wahoo has added a simple but powerful Custom Alert feature to their Elemnt Bolt & Roam GPS devices that lets you set mid-workout reminders for what really matters. While we’ve seen several other smartwatches and cycling computers with the ability to remind you to drink or refuel mid-ride, Wahoo makes it simpler and more custom. You pick what’s important, when you need reminding, then configure it quickly from your smartphone, and your Elemnt won’t forget…
Wahoo Elemnt mid-activity Custom Alerts
I love a good free over-the-air upgrade.
Now, Wahoo just added a way to create a customized alert notification mid-workout to remind you of what’s really important to you while riding. Do you need to remember to drink, eat snacks, take some electrolyte supplement, or call your mom to see how she’s doing?
Alerts are meant to be simple text reminders, but also can include emoji, up to 50 characters. Get creative and specific.
(Unfortunately, my taco emoji didn’t show up 
.)
You can set several different Custom Alerts from the Workout tab in the Wahoo Elemnt app (your GPS does need to be connected to set up & manage them, at least at first.) Then, turn them on when you want them, or off to save for next time you need reminding. Alerts are store in the app, and can be sent to any paired Elemnt device when it is active in your workout..
Set whether you want to be reminded just once, or repeatedly throughout your activity. Intervals can be set up based on time (in min), distance (in km or mi), or in energy burned off (in cal, actually kcal).
Once your ride is started, the Elemnt will count down until your custom alert interval is met. The alert itself will pop up on the lower 1/3 to 1/2 or so of your display, and will NOT automatically go away like regular notifications. You either ‘Dismiss’ it to close out and let repeated alerts return later, or ‘Mute’ to close out and stop all subsequent alerts.
It’s not clear (yet) if you can set intervals longer than one activity and whether they will automatically add up each time you ride… like ‘Lube My Stupid Chain” every 250km. But, I’ve set a few long reminders and will update here to see if they work out over time.
Update your Wahoo Elemnt mobile phone app to the latest version, then update your Bolt (original or new color version), Roam, or even the OG Elemnt device’s firmware to the latest version through the app.
And, voila… Custom Alert capabilities.
