Whether you’re embarking on a journey, hopping on your stationary bike, or getting ready for a workout session on your indoor trainer, having the finest cycling application to assist you in achieving your next fitness objective is crucial.
Cycling apps have truly revolutionized both outdoor and indoor cycling experiences.
The top-notch ones provide features such as real-time tracking of your performance, instant connections with fellow cyclists, comprehensive data analysis, coaching and training plans, route planning, and much more.
After conducting extensive research, I have compiled a curated selection of the most outstanding cycling apps in 2024.
So, whether you’re contemplating purchasing a Peloton, seeking an app that can enhance your muscular performance, or looking for an app to train for your upcoming Ironman, you’ll find the perfect one on this list.
What is a Cycling App
A cycling app is a mobile application designed specifically for cyclists to enhance their riding experience and track various aspects of their cycling activities. These apps are typically available for smartphones and can be downloaded from app stores.
Benefits of Using a Cycling App
Cycling apps offer advantages to cyclists at all levels of fitness. Let’s delve deeper into the major pros of cycling apps.
1. Motivation
Nowadays, many cycling apps provide a dedicated community of athletes, allowing cyclists to connect. Users can comment on each other’s progress, participate in challenges, and even virtually ride together.
This sense of community fosters accountability and serves as a great source of motivation. Alternatively, those who are less inclined towards the social aspect can find motivation by tracking their statistics and observing their progress over time.
2. Tracking Metrics
The combination of personal devices and compatible cycling apps simplifies the process of monitoring your performance and utilizing the data to guide your training. It eliminates the guesswork surrounding factors like exertion level, distance covered, and speed achieved.
Athletes and coaches leverage this information to customize training plans based on concrete data.
3. Planning Routes
Cycling the same route repeatedly can become monotonous. Cycling apps with route-planning capabilities allow you not only to create new bike routes but also to explore routes that others have previously taken.
You can filter options based on distance, elevation, intensity, type, and more, ensuring a varied and exciting riding experience.
4. Coaching
The increased availability of coaching through popular cycling apps has made it convenient for athletes to work with professional trainers. These apps offer expert guidance and help individuals achieve their fitness goals through personalized and pre-set training plans.
What to Look For in a Cycling App
When choosing a cycling app, there are several crucial factors to take into account. Here are the most significant ones to consider:
1. Cost
Cycling apps can vary widely in terms of cost, with some offering free versions while others come with a notable price tag. Generally, the subscription version of a cycling app tends to offer more robust features.
It’s important to establish your budgetary limits beforehand to avoid wasting time exploring apps that are beyond your affordability.
2. Features
To begin with, determine why you are using a cycling app. Are you seeking live studio classes, training for a road race, looking for coaching, or searching for new routes to ride? Your intended purpose will dictate the specific features you require in a cycling app.
I recommend creating a list of your “must-have” features and refining your search based on those criteria.
3. Compatibility
Not all cycling apps are compatible with every platform, so it’s crucial to examine this aspect carefully. Additionally, consider how essential it is for your app to integrate with wearable devices such as heart-rate monitors, GPS watches, or cadence meters.
Some apps seamlessly facilitate the transfer of data from these devices.
Best Cycling Apps for Tracking Rides
The top-notch cycling apps designed for tracking purposes will not only record your ride but also provide valuable data such as speed, distance, route information, and even elevation.
Among the most widely used cycling apps, Strava takes the lead in this field. It offers a comprehensive range of features, including segments, leaderboards, and route planning, making it a popular choice among cyclists.
1. Strava
While Strava can be used as a cycling computer on your phone, most cyclists opt for a separate GPS computer to record and upload their rides. They then use the Strava cycling app to keep tabs on their friends’ activities.
Every ride uploaded to Strava automatically generates rankings of your performance on popular road and trail segments. These segments are specific stretches of routes, and Strava provides a GPS map showing your ride’s path.
Strava stands out from its competitors thanks to its polished social component. Similar to Facebook, you can follow your friends, see their ride details, leave comments, give them kudos, and even share photos of your rides.
In 2020, Strava made significant changes by introducing a subscription model. Some previously free features, like segment leaderboards and route planning, now require a subscription.
Strava’s app and browser include cycling-related points of interest, such as cafes and bike shops, displayed on their base map.
Cost: Free (premium version also available at £6.99 monthly / £47.99 annually)
Download: The app available for both iOS and Android
2. MapMyRide
MapMyRide, leveraging the expertise of its parent company in route-mapping software, shares similarities with CycleMeter. However, it offers additional advantages due to its robust capabilities in tracking rides, nutrition, weight, and more. Moreover, it can assist you in navigating to your desired destination.
Upgrading to the app’s premium version grants you access to personalized training plans, sophisticated routing capabilities, and real-time tracking that can be shared with your loved ones. Plus, with the premium version, you get to relish an experience devoid of ads, thereby eliminating the commercial interruptions that are found in the free version.
Cost: Free (premium version also available at $5.99 monthly / $29.99 yearly)
Download: The app available for both iOS and Android
Best Cycling Apps for Route Planning and Navigation
Cycling apps dedicated to route planning and navigation are invaluable for exploring new roads and discovering exciting places to ride.
The top-notch cycling apps designed for route planning offer the flexibility to create custom rides while also providing access to routes shared by other cyclists.
Certain cycling apps go the extra mile by automatically generating a route for you when you enter a specific destination. This feature is particularly useful for spontaneous adventures or when cycling in urban environments.
1. Bikemap
In my experience, Bikemap proves to be a compelling alternative to Strava or Komoot, specifically as a route planning app, offering a greater range of features for free. However, it’s worth noting that both Strava and Komoot also have unique features that might appeal to different users.
One notable feature of Bikemap is its real-time updates, which allow users to report any issues encountered during a ride, alerting other Bikemap users. While I haven’t found much use for this feature personally, it may be particularly appealing to cyclists who frequently ride in urban environments.
Additional features include a vast archive of over seven million user-generated routes, route collections, and in-app ride statistics.
Most of the features provided by Bikemap are available for free, but there is also a Bikemap Premium service that unlocks additional mapping options, such as cycling-friendly map layers, 3D views of planned routes, and offline navigation.
Cost: Free (Premium version also available – £9 / €9 / $12 / AU$14.99 monthly, £35 / €39 / $49 / AU$59.99 annually, or £89 / €99 / $99 / AU$179.99 for lifetime access)
Download: App available for both iOS and Android
2. Google Maps
Apple has made remarkable strides in the realm of technology, but when it comes to mapping, it can’t surpass Google.
Similar to how you use your phone on the go to locate places, read reviews, and then proceed to your chosen destination, you can rely on Google Maps to do the same while providing bike paths and bike-friendly routes.
While no bike app is flawless, Google Maps stands as one of the finest in its category. The audio turn-by-turn instructions are particularly convenient during rides. For cyclists who opt to wear headphones, you can easily keep your phone in your pocket and effortlessly navigate to your desired location.
Cost: Free
Download: App available for both iOS and Android
3. Komoot
While Google Maps is widely regarded as the go-to for navigation in general, it may not always meet all the requirements for bike directions.
Komoot stands out by utilizing the open-source OpenStreetMap database and offering the ability to plan various types of rides, including road, mountain bike, gravel, and commuting routes.
The key distinction from Google Maps lies in Komoot’s routing algorithm, which strives to choose the most efficient path by considering the bike-friendliness of roads or paths, as well as your fitness level.
Once your route is initiated, Komoot provides real-time updates on speed, distance traveled, and remaining distance and allows for easy on-the-fly route adjustments. You can also explore other recommended routes in your local area.
Komoot also includes curated highlights suggested by local riders and Komoot ambassadors, offering an excellent way to discover hidden gems in your vicinity. A premium subscription unlocks additional features, such as a multi-day planner and live tracking.
Cost: The first map region is free; subsequent map regions cost £3.99 / €3.99 / $3.99 each (Premium subscription: £59.99 / €59.99 / $59.99 annually)
Download: App available for both iOS and Android
4. Ride with GPS
Ride with GPS offers comprehensive route planning, navigation, and ride recording capabilities.
With its user-friendly interface, you can easily start recording your ride with a single tap. The cycling app even allows for offline navigation, making it extremely useful when riding in remote areas or on long rides where preserving battery power is crucial.
The route data provided by Ride with GPS is particularly valuable, providing detailed elevation profiles that can be zoomed in and out, allowing you to identify the major climbs along your route.
If you want to share your rides in real time, the app allows you to do so, and it will even read comments aloud as you pedal. This feature can be a great source of motivation during your rides.
The free version of Ride with GPS allows you to create routes, record your rides, and set goals. The Basic subscription provides access to additional mobile app features such as turn-by-turn navigation, live logging, offline maps, and the ability to publish ride reports.
Upgrading to the Premium version grants you all of the aforementioned features, as well as advanced route editing, custom cue sheets, and support for stationary bikes and private segments.
Cost: Free / Basic subscription at £6 / €6 / $6 monthly or £50 / €50 / $50 yearly / Premium subscription at £10 / €10 / $10 monthly or £80 / €80 / $80 yearly
Download: App available for iOS and Android
Best Cycling Apps for Time Trialists
1. MyWindsock
Although myWindsock is not yet available as a phone app, the desktop version of this application is highly effective and ranks among the top apps for enhancing your Strava experience.
The founder, Ben Norbury, developed this application to assess how weather conditions would impact his upcoming time trials. By uploading a GPX file of your planned route, myWindsock provides real-time weather data specific to that route.
Alternatively, you can simply copy and paste the URL of a Strava segment into this clever software to determine the expected conditions and the percentage of power output affected by the wind, measured in Watts.
Additionally, myWindsock offers the convenience of analyzing a Strava leaderboard to identify the weather conditions that have resulted in the fastest times, helping you determine the optimal conditions for your attempts. The myWindsock Planner allows you to add your regular rides and races, providing a 10-day forecast for better preparation.
Cost: Free (or £24.99/$34.99 yearly for the ‘Power’ plan with limited uploads, or £49.99/$64.99 yearly for the ‘Unlimited’ plan, which provides unlimited uploads as the name suggests).\
Download: Currently available for desktop-only
Best Cycling Apps for Road Safety
1. Flare
Flare is a safety bicycle ride app that offers a range of features to enhance your safety on the road. This free cycling app includes incident detection and prevention capabilities, alerting other road users about your presence and enabling easy reporting of near-miss incidents.
In the event of an incident, Flare provides users with a 30-second window to respond or move. If there is no response, the app automatically shares the user’s location with emergency contacts, ensuring quick assistance can be provided.
The latest version of Flare is compatible with activities beyond cycling, including running, jogging, motorcycling, horse riding, and scooters. It works in all countries around the world and has already played a role in saving three lives since its launch in November 2019.
Flare has partnered with What3Words and St John Ambulance in the UK, enabling precise location sharing using a 3m x 3m area anywhere in the world. If an incident occurs, the user’s location is sent along with the St John Ambulance 10 safety steps, guiding finding the safest possible location while help is on the way.
Many emergency services worldwide have adopted this location tracking system for its accurate pinpointing capabilities, facilitating swift responses.
The Flare app includes “RoadRadar,” which provides commercial fleet drivers with an audible warning when a Busby road user is nearby. This feature helps prevent potential incidents and human errors. The audible warning radius dynamically adjusts based on the driver’s location, ranging from 5 meters in city centers to up to 200 meters on country roads.
For users who need assistance but haven’t experienced a serious accident, the Busby Flare feature allows them to send out a distress signal. This alert notifies nearby partnered bike shops, mechanics, and users within a 5-10 mile radius that assistance is needed.
A recent addition to the app is the “Group Ride” feature, which allows club members or riding buddies to create cycling groups. They can set a maximum radius around the group, and if a rider goes outside this radius, the entire group receives a notification.
The incident detection and contact alerting features are available for free to all users. However, the free version allows only one emergency contact, whereas upgrading to the premium membership allows users to add up to five contacts.
Cost: Free (or £1.99/~$2.41 monthly, £19.99/~$24.22 yearly)
Download: App available for iOS and Android
Best Cycling App for Studio Cycling
1. Peloton
Peloton has achieved widespread recognition as a leading name in the fitness industry, captivating a devoted following of users. Renowned for its immersive training programs, top-notch cardio machines, and strong global community, Peloton has become a household name.
While the Peloton platform is most commonly associated with its flagship products, the Bike and Bike+, the exciting news is that you don’t necessarily need one of these powerful cardio machines to enjoy the Peloton experience.
With the recent introduction of the Peloton cycling app, you can connect to various smart devices, including Android, AppleTV, FireTV, Chromecast, Roku, LG, and Airplay. Simply browse through the extensive selection of cycling classes available and start your workout on your exercise bike.
Led by world-class trainers, the app offers both live classes and a vast library of on-demand classes. While access to live studio classes and the ability to sync up with fellow Peloton enthusiasts require a Peloton Bike, you can still benefit from the app’s offerings without owning one.
Additionally, owning a Peloton bike grants access to leaderboards and challenges, serving as extra motivation to stay engaged and focused.
However, Peloton goes beyond being a mere workout platform. It fosters a vibrant community of fitness enthusiasts seeking to maintain an active lifestyle through its 14 different workout types, personalized coaching, and structured training programs.
Classes vary in duration, instructor, music genre, and intensity providing a diverse range of options to suit individual preferences. The Peloton app also tracks your fitness statistics and charts your progress, which is particularly advantageous for cyclists who thrive on analyzing performance data.
Cost: $12.99/month
Free Trial Period: Ranging from 30 to 60 days
Compatibility: Android, AppleTV, FireTV, Chromecast, Roku, LG, and Airplay
Best Cycling App for Stormy Situations
1. Rain Alarm
Rain Alarm operates exactly as its name suggests – it provides alerts when rain is approaching. The free version of the cycling app allows you to mark your location and displays a user-friendly radar that shows the precise areas where rain is falling.
If the weather is uncertain and you still want to stay informed, the premium version offers the option to activate alarms that will notify you when heavy rain is on its way. These alarms can also sync with Android watches for added convenience.
Rain Alarm’s simplicity sets it apart from other weather-focused competitors, with frequent updates every 5-10 minutes to help you stay dry.
Cost: Free – Premium versions available starting from £2 per month.
Download: App available for iOS and Android
Best Cycling App for Bike Shares
1. Migo
When you need a bike, the most convenient option is often the one closest to you. For city dwellers with bike share systems, especially those without fixed docking stations, Migo provides a valuable solution by offering a consolidated view of all available bikes from different companies in one place.
This significantly reduces the time and effort required to locate and unlock a bike. Instead of checking each company’s individual cycling app to find bike locations, you can simply refer to Migo’s map, which displays the available units from every company.
Migo then redirects you to your preferred app, providing an estimate of how long it will take to locate the bike in real life. Additionally, if there are no bikes nearby, Migo allows you to compare rates with other shared transportation options such as car shares and public buses.
Migo serves as a universal tool for finding bike shares in your city, providing convenience and efficiency.
Cost: Free
Download: App available for iOS and Android
Best Cycling App for Nutrition
1. MyFitnessPal
Keeping track of your food habits can greatly contribute to becoming a more mindful and healthier eater. Most nutrition tracking apps offer premium programs and limit certain features in their free versions to encourage users to upgrade.
Among the available free versions, MyFitnessPal stands out by retaining the most valuable and useful features.
As a 13-year-old veteran bike app, MyFitnessPal provides you with the necessary tools to understand your eating habits and stay committed to your diet plans without overwhelming you with unnecessary data points.
Although its interface may not be as visually pleasing or intuitive as competitors like Lifesum, which simplifies tracking status to one screen of data with smiley face indicators for meal quality, the free features and supportive community of MyFitnessPal make it more than worthwhile, sacrificing aesthetics.
One of its most valuable features is the vast and comprehensive searchable food database, boasting over 14 million entries. Very few searchable food items lack essential macronutrient and micronutrient information.
MyFitnessPal has also tackled one of the most challenging aspects of food tracking: logging meals made from complex recipes or meals you didn’t personally prepare. Users of the free version can easily import recipes from websites and have their ingredients analyzed or search for restaurant meals from respective menus.
The app generates restaurant food recipes based on menu descriptions, which may not always be perfect but are editable. In case you have a substantial amount of data to add, MyFitnessPal is also available as a desktop site.
While I haven’t experienced significant benefits from pursuing nutrition or weight goals with friends, many MyFitnessPal users appreciate the app for its social support.
Engaging in forums and groups allows participants to exchange nutrition advice and hold each other accountable for their diets. Research indicates that this kind of support network can be effective.
For those willing to pay $50, MyFitnessPal offers access to more detailed diet tracking and analytical tools, as well as the ability to export all data as spreadsheets for sharing with nutritionists.
If you prefer tailored diet plans, exploring other cycling apps may be worthwhile. However, if you are comfortable creating and following your plan, MyFitnessPal has mastered the science of tracking.
Cost: Free to use (Premium subscription available for $9.99/month or $49.99/year)
Download: App available for iOS and Android
Best Cycling Fitness Apps
Top fitness bike riding apps excel in tracking your performance and progress over time. These apps integrate seamlessly with additional sensors like heart rate monitors and power meters, enabling you to gather a wealth of data that offers deeper insights into your riding.
By leveraging this information, you can gain a comprehensive understanding of your abilities and make informed decisions to improve your cycling experience.
1. Wahoo Fitness
The major advantage of the Wahoo Fitness app lies in its seamless compatibility with various devices and platforms.
It effortlessly connects with Bluetooth sensors like heart-rate monitors, speed sensors, and progressive power meters. Additionally, by using the Wahoo Key plugin, you can even pair the app with ANT+ sensors. This versatility allows you to track and monitor your performance using a wide range of data sources.
In a world where many companies restrict data sharing within their ecosystems, Wahoo Fitness breaks free from this limitation. It enables you to upload your data to popular platforms such as Strava, MapMyFitness, TrainingPeaks, and MyFitnessPal.
Moreover, if desired, you can choose from five file formats to conveniently share your data via email or Dropbox.
For data enthusiasts, the app provides a wealth of information presented in a number-centric format. You can customize up to eight pages of data, including speed, power, heart rate, and more.
Additionally, the app offers a GPS map feature, although it should be noted that using it extensively may drain your device’s battery relatively quickly. Furthermore, the Wahoo Fitness app is compatible with Wahoo’s indoor smart trainers, making it suitable for indoor training sessions.
Cost: Free
Download: App available for iOS and Android
2. Cyclemeter
Cyclemeter transforms your smartphone into a versatile bike computer, provided you’re comfortable mounting your phone on your handlebars.
Similar to Wahoo Fitness, Cyclemeter offers a plethora of customizable options for your rides, along with a wide range of post-ride analysis features. The notable advantage is that all your data remains on your device, eliminating the need to log into external platforms.
If you choose to ride with headphones, you can conveniently start and stop rides using the remote button on your iPhone earphones. Additionally, integrated Google Maps can assist when navigating unfamiliar areas.
Cyclemeter seamlessly integrates with popular platforms like Strava, Facebook, and Twitter, allowing you to share your rides and connect with fellow cyclists. Importing and exporting routes is a breeze as well, ensuring easy access to your preferred cycling paths.
Cost: Free (in-app upgrades available for $9.99 each)
Download: App available for iOS and Android
3. Elite HRV
If you’re seeking additional data and metrics to enhance your training, the Elite HRV cycling app is an excellent tool for tracking your heart rate variability (HRV). HRV data can serve as a valuable indicator for monitoring your recovery and determining your readiness to handle an increased training load over time.
To track your HRV, you’ll need a compatible Bluetooth heart rate monitor, such as the Polar H10 heart rate strap (a list of compatible devices can be found on the Elite HRV website). The app allows you to monitor your HRV for free, with unlimited data storage.
You can enhance the context of your readings by tagging each one with relevant information, such as your mood, stress levels, and recent activity. As you accumulate a longitudinal profile of your HRV, the app will provide insights into your potential readiness for physical activity after each reading.
While there are premium tiers available that offer more advanced insights and readiness information, the free version of the app provides a wealth of valuable features presented in an easily digestible format. It is an excellent starting point for those interested in incorporating HRV as a training aid.
Cost: Free (premium versions available starting from $8 per month)
Download: App available for iOS and Android
Best Cycling Apps for Indoor Training
Indoor training apps revolutionize the experience of riding on a turbo trainer, making it much more enjoyable. They provide an excellent solution for avoiding inclement weather or when circumstances prevent you from cycling outdoors.
These bike apps cater to different preferences and goals. Some are primarily focused on training, offering personalized workouts and training plans based on power output and intervals.
Others provide the opportunity to compete against fellow riders or simply immerse yourself in virtual landscapes. Here are a few of my top picks.
1. Wahoo X
Wahoo X is a subscription service that provides access to two different platforms: Wahoo SYSTM and Wahoo RGT (formerly known as RGT Cycling). Wahoo RGT offers an alternative experience compared to virtual worlds like Zwift. Instead, users ride simulations of real-world climbs, creating a more authentic riding environment.
Wahoo SYSTM, on the other hand, takes a unique approach compared to other smart trainer apps. It doesn’t feature a virtual world but offers simulations of professional race finales. The “On Location” feature allows riders to follow videos of real-world roads during their training sessions.
Following its acquisition of The Sufferfest, Wahoo SYSTM continues the tradition of providing no-frills workout options. It caters to dedicated athletes who prefer structured training plans, although users also have the flexibility to choose individual workouts, some of which can be performed outdoors.
Wahoo SYSTM personalizes your training schedule based on an assessment of your strengths and weaknesses using Wahoo’s Four-Dimensional Power Profile (4DP). This approach aims to provide a more comprehensive understanding of your fitness compared to a traditional Functional Threshold Power test.
Cost: New users can enjoy a free 14-day trial, followed by a subscription fee of $14.99 per month or $129.99 annually.
Download: Wahoo SYSTM and Wahoo RGT can be downloaded on iOS and Android platforms
2. Zwift
By connecting to the internet and using a turbo trainer alongside a compatible device, cyclists from around the globe can immerse themselves in the virtual world of Zwift, where they can ride together or participate in races.
Beyond its effectiveness as a training tool, Zwift fosters social interaction, making indoor riding more engaging and enjoyable.
Cost: £12.99 / $14.99 per month
Download: Zwift is available for iOS and Android devices.
3. Rouvy
Rouvy is an indoor bike app that offers a wide selection of real-life routes and augmented-reality courses for users to enjoy. Unlike Zwift, which creates virtual worlds and roads, Rouvy utilizes video recordings of actual roads and combines them with elevation data, delivering an interactive riding experience.
Some courses even feature animated 3D riders for added realism.
In addition to the augmented reality courses, Rouvy offers an extensive library of approximately 2,036,020km of route films to explore, ensuring there is no shortage of content to keep users engaged.
Cost: $12 / €12 per month
Download: The app is available for iOS, Android, PCs, Apple TV, and other platforms.
4. TrainerRoad
TrainerRoad offers a distinct approach to indoor training, setting itself apart from Zwift and Wahoo X. Rather than immersing you in virtual worlds, races, and group rides, TrainerRoad focuses solely on helping you improve your performance through personalized training plans.
The app claims to utilize artificial intelligence (AI) to adapt your training plan based on your performance in each session. If you’re performing well, the app will increase the difficulty, and if you’re facing challenges, it will adjust accordingly, aiming to optimize your progress.
TrainerRoad emphasizes that this approach results in fewer unfinished sessions and more subscribers achieving improvements in their Functional Threshold Power.
Cost: $19.95 per month / $189 annually (equivalent to $15.75 per month) after a free 30-day trial
Download: The app is compatible with iOS, Android, Mac, and Windows platforms, ensuring accessibility for a wide range of users.
Best Cycling App for Mountain Biking
While numerous cycling apps primarily cater to road cycling and utilize existing technology such as Google Maps, there are also specialized apps specifically designed for mountain biking.
These dedicated mountain biking apps are tailored to enhance your experience and maximize your enjoyment on the trails.
1. Trailforks
Imagine yourself riding a new trail network, feeling tired and ready for a rest after a few hours of cycling. As you reach a fork in the trail, uncertainty arises. You remember taking a picture of the trail map near the car park, but your current location remains unclear.
In a moment of decision, you make a choice and turn left, assuming it leads to the trailhead. Unfortunately, you soon realize that you have taken the wrong path, leading you deeper into the forest. Feeling a bit lost, you attempt to backtrack to find your way home. It is precisely in this situation that Trailforks comes to your rescue.
Utilizing crowd-sourced information, this app boasts an extensive collection of over 161,000 trails worldwide. It provides valuable features such as condition reports, live tracking, and even points of interest, including nearby bike shops where you can find spare parts like tubes.
One notable advantage of Trailforks is the ability to download maps onto your device for offline use. This ensures that you can navigate even in areas with no cellular reception.
Moreover, the app offers an emergency information function that generates your precise GPS coordinates and provides the name of the nearest trail.
The free version of Trailforks grants you full access to one specific area and allows partial view anywhere for emergency navigation. On the other hand, the premium version offers unlimited worldwide maps and the ability to download routes.
Cost: Free or premium at €1.66 monthly / €20 annually
Download: App available for iOS and Android
5 Best Apps for Biking [Completly Free]
1. CycleStreets
CycleStreets’ Journey Planner is a GPS navigation app for cycling. With this app, you can easily plan your cycling route by selecting your desired start and finish points.
The Journey Planner takes into account various factors, such as roads, bike paths, and car-free routes, to provide you with a suitable route. It excludes major highways and freeways to ensure a cyclist-friendly journey.
Additionally, the app offers four route options, including the flattest, quickest, or quietest routes, allowing you to choose based on your preferences.
In addition to the routing features, CycleStreets’ Journey Planner includes a helpful function to locate bike shops in your vicinity. This feature can be particularly useful when you need assistance or supplies during your ride.
Beyond navigation, the app also serves as a valuable cycling advocacy tool. With the Photomap feature, you can contribute to improving cycling infrastructure in your area by submitting photos of infrastructure problems.
You can also explore examples of good cycling infrastructure practices from across the country, as shared by various campaign groups.
Cost: Free
Download: App available for iOS and Android
2. Garmin Connect
Garmin Connect is a software platform that establishes a seamless connection between your mobile device and your Garmin Edge cycling computer or smartwatch, enabling effortless data sharing.
This two-way connection offers several benefits, including the ability to display weather data and notifications from your mobile device directly on your Garmin GPS device’s handlebars.
The software allows you to transfer data collected by your Garmin device to your mobile device, presenting it in various formats such as charts, graphs, and maps. This gives you a comprehensive view of your cycling metrics and performance.
With the LiveTrack feature, you can share your ride progress with friends and family online in real-time, allowing them to track your location as you ride. Additionally, Garmin Connect provides weekly challenges and allows you to wirelessly upload your activities, making it easy to participate in virtual competitions and share your achievements.
Cost: Free (requires compatible Garmin device)
Download: App available for iOS and Android
3. Fill That Hole
Not many road cyclists can claim to have a smooth ride on their local roads, and before the convenient Fill That Hole app, reporting road imperfections was a challenge.
Developed by Cycling UK, a national charity for cyclists, this unassuming yet incredibly effective app enables you to easily notify the authorities about potholes by providing their location.
Additionally, you have the option to include a photo of the pothole in question. I have tested it myself and can confirm that it functions well.
Cost: Free
Download: App available for iOS and Android
4. My Virtual Mission
Instead of focusing on individual rides, My Virtual Mission offers the ability to establish a long-term objective and progress towards it. This means that, for example, you can utilize the app to train for your first 100-mile ride.
Rather than physically undertaking the ride, you create a virtual journey within the app. Each time you cycle or run, the app records the corresponding distance on the map of your virtual journey, accumulating rides as you complete them.
As a tool for setting goals and staying motivated, it provides an enjoyable experience. Furthermore, you can leverage it for organizing charity fundraisers involving long-distance rides, as the app includes a feature for tracking the amount of funds raised.
Cost: Free
Download: App available for iOS and Android
5. BBC Weather
Weather significantly impacts the lives of cyclists. Hardly any cyclists embark on a ride without first consulting the weather forecast, allowing them to appropriately choose their attire.
This could involve wearing a top-quality waterproof cycling jacket for extended rain, carrying a compact rain jacket for unpredictable weather, or even applying cycling sunscreen in scorching conditions.
Based on my experience, I have discovered that the BBC Weather app is straightforward and notably reliable, surpassing other weather apps in terms of accuracy.
Cost: Free
Download: App available for iOS and Android
Cycling Apps — Closing Remarks
As you can observe, numerous fantastic cycling apps are available for you to utilize. With these apps at your disposal, you can confidently embark on cycling adventures in any corner of the globe. So, enjoy your cycling journey!
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Cycling App — Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use cycling apps offline?
Some cycling apps offer offline functionality, allowing you to access maps, routes, and other essential features without an internet connection. This can be useful when cycling in areas with limited or no network coverage. One such amazing app is Pocket Earth Pro. So, give it a try today.
Can cycling apps help with bike maintenance?
Some cycling apps include bike maintenance features. They provide reminders for routine maintenance tasks like oiling the chain, checking tire pressure, or scheduling bike services. Additionally, they may offer tips and tutorials on bike maintenance and repair, ensuring your bike is in optimal condition.
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