How to set up a cycling challenge with friends in Puffin'
To run a cycling challenge with friends in Puffin', create a challenge and turn off All workouts under Included workouts, then pick cycling. Since version 1.2 (release notes), a challenge can count only the kinds of workout you choose.
Before this, a distance challenge counted everything, so a long walk and a long ride went into the same total. That works for some groups and annoys a group of cyclists. The puffin stays out of it, since it can't reach the pedals.
How included workouts work
A challenge counts every kind of workout unless you say otherwise. Turn off All workouts and you get a list of workout types to tap, and only those count.
For a distance challenge, the list puts the ones that usually have a distance first, like running, cycling, swimming and rowing. Everything else is still there further down.
You can pick more than one. A ride-and-run challenge is two taps.
How to set up a cycling challenge
Start on the Challenges tab.
| Step | What you do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Open the Challenges tab, tap +, then New challenge |
| 2 | Pick a metric, like distance or time |
| 3 | Set a target if you want one |
| 4 | Under Included workouts, turn off All workouts |
| 5 | Tap cycling, plus anything else you want to count |
| 6 | Tap Create, then share the invite code with your friends |
Friends join from Challenges, then +, then Join with code. Their rides come in through Apple Health. A ride from a watch or another app counts, as long as it lands in Health as cycling.
Will I know when my friends ride?
Yes, Puffin' can notify you when someone in your challenge finishes a workout. You can react with an emoji or leave a comment straight from the notification.
It also tells you when anyone hits the goal and when the challenge wraps up. If your day or week is nearly over and you're short, you'll get a nudge too.
What it doesn't do yet
Steps challenges can't be limited to one kind of workout. Steps arrive as a whole day's total from Apple Health, with no workout attached, so there's nothing to filter.
Challenges made before 1.2 stay open to every workout until you change them.
Try it
Open the Challenges tab, tap +, then New challenge, and look for Included workouts. Puffin' is free on the App Store for iPhone. More at startpuffin.com.