Which Are The Best Cycling Apps For Route Planning And Tracking?

So, you’ve decided to take up cycling and explore the world on two wheels. But with so many cycling apps available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one for route planning and tracking. Luckily, we’ve done the research for you and have compiled a list of the best cycling apps out there. Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or just starting out, these apps will not only help you plan your routes efficiently but also track your progress along the way. So, hop on your bike, and let’s dive into the world of cycling apps!

Strava

Overview of Strava

Strava is one of the most popular and widely used cycling apps for route planning and tracking. It is a comprehensive platform that offers a range of features to enhance your cycling experience. Whether you are a professional athlete or a casual rider, Strava provides tools to help you analyze and improve your performance. With millions of active users, it also fosters a sense of community and allows you to connect and compete with other cyclists.

Features of Strava

Strava offers a plethora of features tailored specifically for cyclists. One of the key features is the ability to track your rides in real time using GPS. This allows you to monitor your speed, distance, elevation, and other important metrics. Additionally, Strava can provide you with detailed maps of your ride, showing you the route you have taken and any points of interest along the way.

Another notable feature of Strava is its route planning capability. You can use the app to discover new routes and customize them according to your preferences. Strava’s vast database of user-generated routes ensures that you will never run out of options. You can filter routes based on distance, difficulty, and even scenery. This makes it easy to find the perfect route for your next cycling adventure.

How Strava supports route planning and tracking

Strava excels in supporting route planning and tracking through its user-friendly interface and powerful tools. When planning a route, you can not only choose from existing routes but also create your own using the route builder feature. This allows you to map out a specific route, add waypoints, and estimate the duration and difficulty.

During your ride, Strava’s tracking feature accurately records your progress and provides real-time feedback. This can be incredibly useful for monitoring your performance and staying motivated. Moreover, after you complete a ride, Strava automatically compiles detailed statistics and generates a ride summary. This summary includes metrics such as average speed, elevation gain, and calories burned, giving you a comprehensive overview of your cycling achievements.

Strava also lets you share your rides with others through its social features. You can upload photos, write descriptions, and interact with fellow cyclists to celebrate your accomplishments. This not only helps in building a sense of community but also opens up opportunities for discovering new routes and receiving feedback from experienced riders.

Whether you are a professional cyclist looking to improve your performance or a recreational rider in search of new adventures, Strava is undoubtedly a top choice for route planning and tracking.

MapMyRide

Introduction to MapMyRide

MapMyRide is another popular cycling app that offers a range of features to enhance your cycling experience. Developed by Under Armour, this app aims to provide cyclists with a comprehensive platform for route planning and tracking. While it may not be as well-known as Strava, MapMyRide certainly deserves recognition for its efficiency and user-friendly interface.

MapMyRide features

MapMyRide offers a range of features designed to make route planning and tracking easier and more enjoyable. One of the standout features of this app is its extensive database of user-generated routes. With millions of routes available, you can easily find a ride that suits your preferences. You can filter routes based on distance, difficulty, and even terrain, ensuring that you find the perfect route for your next cycling adventure.

Another notable feature of MapMyRide is its integrated GPS tracking. By using your device’s GPS capabilities, the app accurately records your rides in real time. This allows you to monitor your speed, distance, and elevation gain, among other metrics. The app also provides you with a detailed map of your ride, highlighting key waypoints and offering turn-by-turn navigation. This can be incredibly useful, especially when exploring unfamiliar routes.

MapMyRide also incorporates a social element, allowing you to connect and interact with other cyclists. You can join groups, participate in challenges, and share your achievements with the community. This fosters a sense of camaraderie and provides opportunities for discovering new rides and learning from experienced riders.

Route planning and tracking in MapMyRide

When it comes to route planning, MapMyRide offers a user-friendly route creator tool. Using this tool, you can map out your desired route, add waypoints, and estimate the duration and difficulty. The app also provides suggestions for popular routes near your location, making it easy to explore new areas while ensuring a seamless planning process.

During your ride, MapMyRide’s tracking feature provides real-time feedback on your performance. It accurately records important metrics, such as speed, distance, and elevation gain, allowing you to keep track of your progress. After completing a ride, MapMyRide generates a detailed summary that includes essential statistics. This summary can be useful for tracking your improvements over time and setting new goals.

In summary, MapMyRide offers a comprehensive set of features for route planning and tracking. Its extensive database of user-generated routes, integrated GPS tracking, and user-friendly interface make it a noteworthy option for cyclists of all levels.

Komoot

Komoot is a versatile cycling app that offers a unique approach to route planning and tracking. Unlike traditional navigation apps, Komoot focuses on providing detailed offline maps and personalized recommendations. With its extensive features and user-friendly interface, Komoot has gained popularity among cyclists worldwide.

Review of Komoot features

Komoot offers a range of features that set it apart from other cycling apps. One of its standout features is its ability to generate highly detailed offline maps. This means that even if you find yourself in an area with limited or no internet connectivity, you can still access essential navigation tools and explore new routes. The offline maps include information about terrain, topography, and points of interest, allowing you to plan your rides with precision.

Another notable feature of Komoot is its personalized route recommendations. By taking into account your fitness level, preferred terrain, and desired duration, Komoot suggests routes that are tailored to your needs. This ensures that you have an enjoyable and challenging cycling experience, whether you are a seasoned cyclist or a beginner. Moreover, Komoot’s algorithm takes into account the popularity of routes among other cyclists, providing you with insights into the best rides in your area.

How Komoot aids in route planning and tracking

Komoot simplifies route planning through its intuitive interface and powerful tools. The app allows you to create custom routes by simply dragging and dropping waypoints on the map. You can adjust the route to avoid certain areas or include specific points of interest. Komoot also provides turn-by-turn voice navigation, making it easy to follow your planned route.

During your ride, Komoot’s tracking feature accurately records your progress, including speed, distance, and elevation gain. It also provides real-time feedback on your performance, allowing you to monitor your improvements and adjust your riding style accordingly. After completing a ride, Komoot generates a detailed summary that includes essential statistics and highlights notable moments from your journey. This can be shared with the Komoot community, fostering connections and encouraging others to explore the same routes.

In conclusion, Komoot offers a unique and personalized approach to route planning and tracking. Its detailed offline maps, personalized recommendations, and user-friendly interface make it a valuable tool for cyclists looking to discover new routes and improve their performance.

Ride with GPS

Ride with GPS is a comprehensive cycling app that provides a range of features to enhance your route planning and tracking experience. With its user-friendly interface and advanced tools, Ride with GPS has gained a loyal following among cyclists of all levels.

Key features of Ride with GPS

Ride with GPS offers a variety of features designed to make route planning and tracking easier and more enjoyable. One of its key features is the ability to plan and customize routes in a simple and intuitive manner. Using the app’s route planner, you can create routes by dragging and dropping waypoints on the map. You can also modify the route by adjusting its path or adding specific points of interest. This flexibility ensures that you can tailor your ride to your preferences, whether you are looking for a challenging hill climb or a leisurely ride along scenic routes.

Another notable feature of Ride with GPS is its integrated GPS tracking. By utilizing your device’s GPS capabilities, the app accurately records important metrics such as speed, distance, and elevation gain. This allows you to monitor your progress in real time and analyze your performance after completing a ride. Additionally, Ride with GPS provides turn-by-turn voice navigation, ensuring that you never miss a turn or get lost while exploring new routes.

Understanding route planning and tracking on Ride with GPS

Ride with GPS offers a seamless route planning and tracking experience through its user-friendly interface and powerful tools. The app allows you to synchronize your planned routes with your device, ensuring that you have access to your routes even in areas with limited internet connectivity. This is particularly useful when exploring remote or unfamiliar areas.

During your ride, Ride with GPS provides real-time feedback on your performance, including speed, distance, and elevation gain. This can be beneficial for monitoring your progress and staying motivated. The app also generates detailed ride summaries that include essential statistics and allows you to share your achievements with the Ride with GPS community. This social aspect encourages interactions with other cyclists and can lead to the discovery of new routes and riding buddies.

In summary, Ride with GPS is a reliable and user-friendly app for route planning and tracking. Its intuitive route planner, integrated GPS tracking, and social features make it a valuable tool for cyclists looking to explore new routes and improve their performance.

Cyclemeter

 

Cyclemeter is a feature-rich cycling app that offers a comprehensive suite of tools for route planning and tracking. Developed by Abvio Inc., Cyclemeter provides cyclists with a wide range of features to enhance their riding experience.

Highlighting features of Cyclemeter

Cyclemeter boasts an impressive set of features designed to meet the needs of cyclists of all levels. One of its key features is its ability to track and record rides in real time using GPS. The app accurately captures important metrics such as speed, distance, and elevation gain, providing you with a detailed overview of your ride. Cyclemeter also offers customizable displays, allowing you to choose which metrics to focus on during your ride.

Another notable feature of Cyclemeter is its support for external sensors. By connecting compatible sensors such as heart rate monitors or cadence sensors, you can gather additional data to analyze and improve your performance. This can be particularly useful for athletes or individuals seeking to track their progress and set new goals.

Route planning and tracking methods in Cyclemeter

Cyclemeter simplifies route planning through its intuitive and user-friendly interface. The app allows you to create custom routes by simply tapping on the map and setting waypoints. You can adjust the route by dragging the waypoints to your desired locations, creating a route that meets your specific preferences and requirements. Cyclemeter also provides turn-by-turn voice navigation, ensuring that you stay on track and never miss a turn during your ride.

During your ride, Cyclemeter’s tracking feature provides real-time feedback on your performance, allowing you to monitor your progress and make adjustments as necessary. The app also generates detailed ride summaries that include essential statistics such as average speed, elevation gain, and calories burned. These summaries can be shared with friends and fellow cyclists, promoting a sense of community and friendly competition.

In conclusion, Cyclemeter is a comprehensive app for route planning and tracking. Its advanced features, intuitive interface, and support for external sensors make it an excellent choice for cyclists looking to enhance their riding experience and improve their performance.

BikeGPX

 

BikeGPX is a cycling app that focuses on simplicity and ease of use. Developed by Sublimis App, this app offers a straightforward approach to route planning and tracking. While it may not have as many features as other popular cycling apps, BikeGPX excels in its simplicity and user-friendly interface.

Insight into BikeGPX features

BikeGPX offers a minimalistic set of features that are designed to provide essential tools for route planning and tracking. The app allows you to import GPX files, which are commonly used to store route data. By importing a GPX file, you can access pre-existing routes created by other cyclists or generate routes using third-party route planning tools.

BikeGPX also offers basic tracking capabilities. By using your device’s GPS, the app can record important metrics such as speed, distance, and elevation gain. While it may lack some of the advanced tracking features found in other apps, BikeGPX provides a simple and reliable solution for cyclists who want to track their rides without unnecessary complexity.

How BikeGPX manages route planning and tracking

BikeGPX simplifies route planning by allowing you to import GPX files created by other cyclists or generated through third-party route planning tools. This flexibility ensures that you have access to an extensive library of existing routes and can easily explore new areas. You can also use BikeGPX to modify imported routes by adding or removing waypoints, adjusting the route’s path, or customizing specific sections.

During your ride, BikeGPX’s tracking feature records your progress in real time, providing you with accurate data on your speed, distance, and elevation gain. The app also generates basic ride summaries that include essential statistics, allowing you to review and analyze your performance.

While BikeGPX may lack some of the advanced features found in other cycling apps, its simplicity and ease of use make it a valuable tool for cyclists who prefer a straightforward approach to route planning and tracking.

Relive

Relive is an innovative cycling app that takes route planning and tracking to the next level by offering a unique visualization tool. Developed by Relive CC, this app aims to transform your rides into captivating 3D videos, allowing you to relive and share your cycling adventures with others.

Special features of Relive

The standout feature of Relive is its ability to transform your ride data into stunning 3D videos. After completing a ride, Relive uses GPS data and photos to recreate your route in a virtual 3D environment. The app then generates a video that combines images, metrics, and route information, creating a memorable visual representation of your cycling journey. This video can be shared with friends or posted on social media, adding an extra layer of engagement and excitement to your rides.

Relive also integrates with other popular cycling apps, such as Strava and Garmin Connect, allowing you to automatically import your ride data. This ensures that your routes and performance metrics are accurately captured and can be visualized in the Relive app.

Route planning and tracking techniques on Relive

While Relive’s main focus is on creating stunning visualizations of your rides, the app also offers basic route planning and tracking capabilities. You can use Relive to plan routes by simply tapping on the map to set waypoints. The app provides a simple interface for adjusting the route’s path and adding turn points. While the route planning tools may not be as comprehensive as those found in other apps, Relive’s main strength lies in its visual storytelling capabilities.

During your ride, Relive’s tracking feature records important metrics such as speed, distance, and elevation gain. This data is used to enhance the 3D video generated after your ride. The app also generates basic ride summaries that include essential statistics, which can be shared with friends and fellow cyclists.

In conclusion, Relive offers a unique and engaging approach to route planning and tracking. Its ability to transform ride data into stunning 3D videos sets it apart from other cycling apps and provides cyclists with a new way to relive and share their adventures.

Trailforks

 

Trailforks is a specialized cycling app designed for mountain bikers looking for the best trails and routes. Developed by Pinkbike, this app focuses on trail networks and provides detailed information about trails, including difficulty levels, elevation profiles, and points of interest, ensuring an exceptional mountain biking experience.

Key Trailforks features

Trailforks offers a range of features that cater specifically to mountain bikers. One of its key features is the extensive trail database, which covers trail networks worldwide. With over 250,000 trails available, mountain bikers can easily find trails that suit their skill level and desired terrain. The app provides detailed information about each trail, including difficulty ratings, elevation profiles, and trail conditions. This ensures that you can choose trails that match your preferences and abilities.

Another notable feature of Trailforks is its trail planner, which allows you to create custom routes by selecting specific trails and points of interest. The app provides elevation profiles, trail descriptions, and turn-by-turn directions, making it easy to plan your rides with precision. The routes you create can be saved and shared with other Trailforks users, promoting a sense of community and providing opportunities for discovery and exploration.

Understanding route planning and tracking on Trailforks

Trailforks excels in supporting route planning and tracking for mountain bikers. The app’s extensive trail database and detailed information about each trail make it easy to find and assess new routes. The trail planner feature allows you to create custom routes by selecting trails and points of interest, ensuring that you can tailor your mountain biking experience to your preferences.

During your ride, Trailforks’ tracking feature accurately records your progress, including speed, distance, and elevation gain. This data can be crucial for monitoring your performance and ensuring that you stay on track. The app also provides live tracking, allowing you to share your location with friends and family for added safety.

In summary, Trailforks is a comprehensive app for mountain bikers seeking the best trails and routes. Its extensive trail database, trail planner feature, and accurate tracking capabilities make it an invaluable tool for discovering new trails and enhancing your mountain biking adventures.

MyWindsock

MyWindsock is a unique cycling app that focuses specifically on wind conditions and their impact on your rides. Developed by MyWindsock Ltd, this app aims to provide cyclists with accurate and detailed wind forecasts to optimize their rides and improve performance.

Features of MyWindsock

MyWindsock offers a range of features tailored to help cyclists assess wind conditions and plan their rides accordingly. One of its standout features is the ability to provide detailed wind forecasts for specific routes. By inputting your planned route into the app, MyWindsock analyzes current weather conditions and provides a detailed forecast of wind speed, direction, and intensity at various points along your ride. This information can be invaluable for planning your rides effectively and choosing routes that minimize the impact of headwinds or maximize the benefits of tailwinds.

Another notable feature of MyWindsock is its wind analysis tool. By analyzing previous ride data and combining it with current weather conditions, the app provides insights into how wind affects your cycling performance. This can be particularly useful for competitive cyclists or individuals looking to optimize their training routine.

Route planning and tracking with MyWindsock

MyWindsock simplifies route planning by providing detailed wind forecasts. By inputting your planned route, the app analyzes wind conditions and provides recommendations on the best direction to take or areas to avoid. This ensures that you can plan your rides with confidence and adapt your route according to wind conditions.

During your ride, MyWindsock’s built-in tracking feature records important metrics such as speed, distance, and elevation gain. This data can be utilized in conjunction with wind forecasts and analysis to gain insights into how wind affects your performance. Understanding wind patterns and their impact on your rides can help you make informed decisions and adjust your riding style accordingly.

In conclusion, MyWindsock is a valuable tool for cyclists looking to optimize their rides and improve their performance by utilizing accurate wind forecasts and analysis. Its unique focus on wind conditions sets it apart from other cycling apps and provides cyclists with a new way to plan their rides effectively.