You’ve decided to get a cycling navigation app. So, what’s the best app to use? The answer depends on your specific needs. I’ll talk about the features of Garmin Connect, Komoot, MapMyRide, and Bikemap. It’s really hard to choose which one to use, so we’ll take a look at some of them and their respective pros and cons. When planning your next ride, using the best cycling navigation app is essential to get the best route. Komoot, a free app that draws maps from OpenStreetMap, gives you access to the best routes based on the type of bicycle you are riding and the waypoints you choose. It also lets you search for POIs, which are places of interest, on the map. It is also easy to use and is addictive when planning a ride.
Use Best Cycling Navigation App
If you’re planning a ride on gravel, mountain, or off-road trails, you’ll want to use Komoot. This app allows you to save your routes offline and won’t drain your data plan while you’re touring. It even shortlists local points of interest so you can take advantage of them while riding. In addition to providing a route plan, this app also provides elevation and surface profiles for each area.
If you’re a newbie to using the best cycling navigation app, Google Maps should be your first choice. This free app is the gold standard of navigation and provides detailed directions in a number of languages. You can even plan your ride by using the app on your PC. Once you’ve planned your route, simply click on the blue line to see where you’re going and what you’ll have to do. A blue line means that you’ll be heading to a place that is convenient for you, and red discs show you that your route will be safe for you.
The Garmin Connect cycling navigation app works by letting you share and view your ride data with other cyclists. It has billions of miles of ride data uploaded by cyclists. For example, a Garmin Edge 1030 will find the shortest route from the most popular roads and trails. Using the Course Creator in Garmin Connect, you can customize your ride and upload it to your watch. You can also edit the route as you go along by using the menu at the top of the screen.
The Garmin Edge can sync your Garmin Connect training plan with other platforms. The Garmin Connect app also tracks heart rate, VO2, and zones. It also displays your calories burned and automatically shows the remainder of the climb or grade. It also includes cycling awareness features like incident detection and assistance. In case of an emergency, the GPS-enabled Edge sends your location in real time to your emergency contacts, so they can respond accordingly.
MapMyRide: If you have ever wanted to find the best cycling routes around, you will definitely want to use the MapMyRide cycling navigation app. It’s free to use and can help you create cycling routes that are easy to follow and are not complicated to understand. The app will show you the best routes nearby and also allow you to save your favorite routes. It even comes with a triathlon version, making it perfect for cyclists training for the triathlon.
The map-creation and route-printing tools that MapMyRide offers are among the best in the business. You can even import a map that you’ve already created yourself! Bicycle Route Navigator also offers real-time weather data, making it ideal for biking. You can even record your ride and export it to the app later. And as long as the battery life is good, you’re good to go.
Bikemap: If you’re not familiar with the features of the Bikemap cycling navigation app, you’re missing out. With the help of this app, you can plan your cycling routes, find bike repair shops, and even find the nearest ATM. You can save routes, share them with friends, and even rate them.
Users can save their rides with a simple tap. The app is available offline and online, so you can access maps without an internet connection. Once you have downloaded the Bikemap app, you can share your rides with other users or with other cyclists. The iOS version of the app has higher ratings than the Android one, but most people are pleased with its easy-to-use interface and reliable turn-by-turn directions. You must use the best cycling navigation app while you are cycling.
Another major benefit of using the Bikemap cycling navigation app while riding is the convenience of using it instead of a GPS bike computer. Instead of carrying around a separate bike computer, you can simply use the app to find the best routes. Users can download planned routes as GPX files, or sync them with a Garmin Edge or Wahoo. You can even view photos of the various locations and places to stay along your route.
Strava: One of the biggest challenges in using the Strava cycling navigation app while riding is determining which roads you’re on. The app uploads one GPS coordinate per second, but it doesn’t record street names or turn intentions. This is a major drawback for cyclists and others who want to use the app to plan a cycling route. But if you’re serious about making cycling safer and more enjoyable, there are many ways to use Strava while riding.
While you’re riding, you can also see your progress on the map, see who’s ahead of you in a segment, and compete with other Strava users. If you’re riding alone, you can view your progress through the Strava segments to see which cyclists are ahead of you. Those who don’t want to share their route can share it with you.
What’s Next?
While the Strava cycling navigation app allows you to map your route without a GPS, some cyclists may be concerned about their privacy. Because the routes are publicly recorded, some users may feel uncomfortable sharing their routes with strangers. However, the Strava app offers privacy options, so if you don’t want to share your route with the world, you can turn off the GPS. You’ll still be able to see your progress in your route history.
