Elevate Your Cycling Experience with the Top Apps for Tracking, Planning, and Exploring New Routes.
Hello, fellow cyclists! 🚴♂️ Ever find yourself halfway through a ride, deep in thought, wondering if you’ve accidentally embarked on a quest to Mordor? Or maybe you just want to prove that your personal "Tour de Neighborhood" deserves a spot on the leaderboard? Well, worry no more. We’ve rounded up the top 10 cycling apps to keep you on track, train harder, and, most importantly, help you brag about your epic rides with data to back it up. Let’s dive into these must-have apps that make cycling smarter, funnier, and less prone to getting lost.
1. Ride with GPS – Advanced Mapping and Route Tools
Ride with GPS is ideal for cyclists who want detailed route planning. It offers tools for creating custom routes, analyzing elevation profiles, and exporting maps to your GPS devices. It’s especially useful for long-distance cyclists looking to prepare for multi-day rides.
Pros:
- Export routes to GPS devices.
- Track your progress with real-time stats.
- Elevation profiles for precise ride planning.
- Turn-by-turn voice navigation available.
- Customizable route creation.
- Detailed GPS tracking.
- Supports offline use.
Cons:
- Some features restricted to premium users.
- Interface can feel overwhelming for beginners.
Why We Love It: The level of control Ride with GPS gives over route customization makes it a favorite for experienced riders.
Cost: Free; Premium $6/month or $50/year.
Smartwatch and Bike Computer Compatibility: Apple Watch and Wahoo.
2. Trailforks – Your Ultimate Trail Guide App
For mountain bikers seeking adventure, Trailforks is an essential app that helps you find and navigate trails worldwide. Here’s a quick overview of its key features:
Pros:
- Extensive Trail Database: Access a wide range of trails with detailed descriptions and difficulty ratings.
- Interactive Maps: Visualize trail networks and filter by difficulty or type.
- Offline Access: Download trail maps for navigation without cell service.
- Real-Time Updates: Get community-driven updates on trail conditions and closures.
- Custom Routes: Create, save, and share personalized biking routes.
- Community Engagement: Connect with fellow bikers through shared experiences, photos, and reviews.
Cons:
- Limited Free Features: Some advanced features require a paid subscription.
Why We Love It: Trailforks combines extensive trail info with community support, making it easy to find the best paths.
Cost: Free; $29.99/year (prices may vary by region).
Smartwatch and Bike Computer Compatibility: Garmin (e.g., Edge series), Apple Watch and Wahoo.
3. Komoot – Your Route Planner and Navigator
Komoot specializes in route planning, making it perfect for those who want to explore new paths. You can customize routes based on your riding style—whether you prefer road biking, gravel adventures, or mountain trails. It also offers turn-by-turn voice navigation to ensure you stay on course.
Pros:
- Terrain-specific route recommendations.
- Tailored route suggestions for various bike types.
- Offline map downloads for remote areas.
- High-quality offline maps.
- Great for outdoor adventures.
- Community-shared highlights along routes.
Cons:
- Voice navigation is only free in one region.
- Some advanced features require premium access.
Why We Love It: Komoot makes finding scenic and rider-friendly paths a breeze.
Cost: Free; Premium $5/month or $59.99/year
Smartwatch and Bike Computer Compatibility: Garmin, Apple Watch and Wahoo.
4. Strava – For Tracking and Social Connection
Strava is a popular app among cyclists of all levels. It tracks your rides, monitors your fitness progress, and allows you to join challenges or compare performances with friends. With GPS integration, it records speed, distance, elevation, and heart rate (with compatible devices).
Pros:
- Tracks real-time ride metrics.
- Comprehensive tracking with GPS.
- Join virtual clubs and social challenges and leaderboards.
- Seamless integration with fitness devices.
- Heatmaps to discover popular routes in your area.
Cons:
- Premium features behind a paywall.
- Drains battery with prolonged use.
Cost: Free; Premium $7.99/month or $59.99/year
Smartwatch and Bike Computer Compatibility: Garmin, Apple Watch and Wahoo.
5. Gentler Streak
Gentler Streak stands out for its holistic approach to fitness. By emphasizing not just workouts but also recovery and mindfulness, it encourages a balanced lifestyle that prioritizes overall health and well-being. The app’s user-friendly interface and personalized insights make it a fantastic companion for anyone looking to improve their fitness journey — in a sustainable way.
Pros:
- Intuitive Interface: User-friendly design that makes it easy to navigate and track fitness activities.
- Holistic Health Tracking: Focuses on overall well-being by incorporating not just workouts, but also recovery and mindfulness activities.
- Customizable Goals: Allows users to set personalized fitness goals and adjust them as needed, making it adaptable to various lifestyles.
- Data Insights: Provides in-depth analytics on your activity levels, sleep quality, and recovery, helping you make informed decisions about your fitness.
- Integrates with Apple Health: Seamlessly syncs with Apple Health to gather data from other health apps and devices.
Cons:
- Limited to Apple Devices: Currently only available on iOS, which may exclude Android users.
- Subscription Costs: Some features are behind a paywall, requiring a subscription for full access.
- Learning Curve: While the interface is intuitive, it may take some time to understand all features fully for new users.
Why We Love It: It’s non-competitive and more about heart health that works with Apple Health.
Cost: $14.99/month
Smartwatch and Bike Computer Compatibility: Apple Watch (If your Wahoo or Garmin device is connected to Apple Health. Apple Health will update Gentler Streak).
6. Zwift – Indoor Cycling for All Seasons
When the weather doesn’t cooperate, Zwift offers a virtual alternative. It transforms indoor cycling into an immersive experience with virtual rides, races, and structured training programs. You can connect smart trainers and compete with cyclists from around the world.
Pros:
- Virtual cycling with real-time multiplayer.
- Fun, gamified elements to motivate.
- Customizable training plans.
- Virtual worlds for interactive riding.
- Group rides, events, and races.
- Personalized training plans.
- Syncs with smart trainers and heart rate monitors.
Cons:
- Requires smart trainers for full functionality.
- No free version beyond a trial.
Why We Love It: Zwift’s gamified experience turns indoor training into a social event, keeping motivation high year-round.
Cost: $14.99/month
Smartwatch and Bike Computer Compatibility: Garmin and Wahoo.
7. TrainerRoad
TrainerRoad is a cycling training app known for its structured and adaptive training plans designed to improve performance, especially for cyclists using indoor trainers. The app offers over 1,000 workouts, which can be filtered by duration, intensity, or focus (like aerobic, tempo, or "sweet spot" training). Its key feature, Adaptive Training, uses data and algorithms to modify workouts based on the user’s fitness progression and recent performance.
Pros:
- Structured training plans for serious cyclists.
- Syncs with smart trainers.
- Great for race preparation.
Cons:
- Pricey compared to other apps.
- No free version after the trial ends.
Why We Love It: It’s like hiring a personal trainer—without the awkward small talk.
Cost: $19.99/month or $189/year
Smartwatch and Bike Computer Compatibility: Garmin and Apple Watch.
8. MapMyRide – Fitness Tracking Made Simple
MapMyRide is perfect for cyclists focused on improving their fitness. It offers easy tracking of routes, calories burned, and workout data. You can set goals, monitor progress, and connect with friends for added motivation.
Pros:
- Track routes, speed, distance, and calories.
- Simple and intuitive interface.
- Audio coaching to guide workouts.
- Easy social sharing of rides.
- Create and save custom routes.
Cons:
- Free version includes ads.
- Limited advanced features without a subscription.
Why We Love It: MapMyRide makes fitness tracking straightforward and accessible for all levels of riders.
Cost: Free; Premium $5.99/month or $29.99/year
Smartwatch and Bike Computer Compatibility: Apple Watch and Wear OS.
9. Bikemap
Bikemap is a route planning app designed specifically for cyclists, offering over 10.6 million user-generated routes across more than 100 countries. It allows users to search and filter routes based on length, ascent, bike type (like mountain, road, or city bikes), and surface type (paved or unpaved).
Pros:
- Detailed offline maps for exploring remote areas.
- Route planning for different terrains.
- Great for international cyclists.
- Unique fall detection function for safety.
Cons:
- Free version limits offline maps to one region.
- UI can feel a bit cluttered at times.
Why We Love It: Even if you get lost, Bikemap ensures it’s a beautiful kind of lost.
Cost: Free; Premium $4.99/month
Smartwatch and Bike Computer Compatibility: Garmin and Apple Watch.
10. Relive – Create Visual Stories of Your Rides
Relive turns your cycling journeys into captivating visual stories. The app connects with other trackers like Strava or Komoot, generating 3D video maps of your ride, complete with key stats and photos from your trip.
Pros:
- Beautiful 3D video playback of rides.
- Syncs with popular fitness apps (Strava, Garmin, etc.).
- Easy-to-use interface and sharing options for social media.
- Free plan available with essential features.
- Add photos and notes to your rides.
- Share videos on social media.
Cons:
- Limited customization options for videos.
- Some advanced features require a premium subscription.
- Performance can vary with long or data-heavy activities.
Why We Love It: The joy of reliving rides in immersive 3D makes it easy to show off achievements, share with friends, and stay excited for the next adventure!
Cost: Free basic version, with premium plans starting at $7.99/month or $59.99/year.
Smartwatch and Bike Computer Compatibility: Syncs indirectly through apps like Strava, which support both Apple Watch and Samsung Watches.
These apps offer powerful tools to help you crush those miles, keep up with training, and share your achievements with the world (or at least your riding crew). Looking to enhance your cycling experience, with detailed tracking and route planning to indoor cycling alternatives —there’s an app for that! Download one—or several—and elevate your rides today!
