You may not think of apps when you are cycling. The truth is, depending on your goals for your ride and what you are doing, there are several apps that can be very helpful. These apps range from comprehensive and detailed information to basic apps to help with specific biking issues. Here are a few of the apps, what to know about them, and how best to use them for your cycling.
Strava
Strava is the go to app for cyclists that not only want to record their distance and other information while also posting it to a group with leaderboards. If you like a competitive concept, social media, and mass group interaction then Strava is the ideal app for you. It became very well-known during the last Thai Fruit Festival held by YouTube celebrities DurianRider and Freelee when it became an app that you not only had be registered with, but also had to have a certain amount of miles recorded in order to attend the festival.
Map My Ride
Map my ride is very similar to other apps like Map My Run and Map My Fitness. The app syncs with your phone and keeps a track of the trail that you have taken. This allows you to go back in a see how you performed on various trails, make notes on trails, and share those trails on social media. You can even map and create your own trail which can come in handy if you are trying out new areas or preparing for an event.
Cyclometer
If your issue is endurance and strength, then Cyclometer may be the app you have been looking for. This app uses GPS, like most other apps, but in a different way. It keeps track of how you did on the trail and adjusts your path slightly to help build your endurance and strength making you a better cyclist.
St. Johns Ambulance
This app is one you may not think of, but it can come in very handy on the trail. This is especially handy if you are on bike trails that are a bit more remote than others. The St. John’s Ambulance app helps you with first aid for basic injuries or injuries that may happen on specific types of trails. If you have a basic first aid kit, and this app, you should be good to go to at least get you to a doctor.
Though there are many other apps on both the iOS and Android platforms, these are the most popular. Keep in mind, you may want a fitness watch to keep track of your calorie burn and personal body issues as well.
