Microsoft Band Used to Train 10 Riders to Complete the 782-mile Amgen Tour of California

As a fitness device, the Microsoft Band hardware has achieved much more than what Microsoft originally intended. Originally, the hardware was created only to expose and promote the unique set of sensors. But, since that release, the Band has become something more. For die-hard Band owners, the device has become a personal wearable capable of monitoring and recording some of the most accurate fitness stats in any fitness device in the market. And, the Band just keeps getting better with new features and enhancements. Just announced today, Microsoft will be rolling out new features for hikers and walking activities along with a new Health app that will work across all Windows 10 devices – including Windows 10 for PCs. And, of course, you can count on me to dig deep into the features and provide honest reviews after thorough testing.

With the popularity of the Band increasing, Microsoft has been taking a multitude of avenues to showcase the device in real-world athletic situations. The latest includes a team of 10 biking athletes.

Follow along as the team works through entire race.

Each day we will analyze rider data recorded from the previous day’s stage. We provided wearable wrist units to 10 of the 144 riders in the race to track metrics such as speed/distance (via GPS), heart rate, calories, UV exposure, and sleep patterns. During the course of the week we hope to provide insight on physical requirements it takes to complete a challenging 8-day stage race such as the 782-mile Amgen Tour of California.

The blog: http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/competition/microsoftband