Mobile applications for cyclists. Down a slippery slope
Smartphones provide much more capabilities than simple cycling computers; they can easily track and record your rides, allow you to plan routes, maintain your training course, and much more.
Here is this list of some of today's popular cycling apps. From navigation and route planning to bike repair, there's sure to be something for everyone.
Strava (iPhone, Android - free)
The most common app for cyclists that needs no introduction. Since its launch in 2009, Strava has gained immense popularity among cyclists. Strava tracks and records all your workouts, providing information about distance, speed and more.
Your achievements, once on the leaderboard, will allow you to compare your successes with those who have already overcome the same routes before. Thus, the application supports social activity and makes it possible to monitor the weekly progress of your friends and acquaintances, join clubs and participate in competitions. These features are the reason for Strava's continued popularity.
Cyclemeter (iPhone - free)
Cyclometer - very useful application, which turns your iPhone (not currently available for Android) into a handy cycling computer when you place the phone on the handlebars. Providing all the information at once, it can also integrate maps for navigation routes and is customizable depending on individual needs, including sound notification for a number of metrics.
Google Maps (iPhone, Android - free)
Available today great amount various mapping applications, but one of them you already have installed on your smartphone is Google maps ( Google Maps). Latest version offers cycling routes and turn-by-turn navigation instructions.
Endomondo (iPhone, Android - free)
Activity tracking app Endomondo already has a large number of fans due to its ease of use compared to other similar apps like Strava. It tracks duration, speed, calories and can be used with a heart rate monitor, and saving data to a training log makes it possible to analyze the quality of the races performed.
Map My Ride (iPhone, Android - free)
Map My Ride has been around for quite some time now. for a long time and is very popular with its extensive database of routes, methods of building and searching them both in a certain area and throughout the country. This free application, but there is also a premium version that will provide more advanced features and cartography. 
St John Ambulance First Aid for Cyclists (iPhone, Android - free)
What do you do if you have an accident on the road? Of course, no one would want to find themselves in this situation, but still everyone should have the necessary basic knowledge of first aid. The St John Ambulance First Aid for Cyclists app aims to help cyclists know what to do if they suffer a variety of injuries, abrasions, cuts or contusions to the head.
MyFitnessPal Calorie counter and diet control (iPhone, Android - free)
MyFitnessPal is designed to help users reduce weight by allowing them to track the number of calories they consume daily. The database contains over 4 million data on types of food, allowing you to calculate the number of calories in your diet, and there is also a function for calculating the calorie content of homemade dishes.
Bike Doctor (iPhone - £3.99; Android - £1.79)
Maintaining, servicing and repairing a bike can be quite complicated at first glance, but this is where the Bike Doctor app comes to the rescue by providing detailed step by step instructions to eliminate any mechanical faults bicycle. Moreover, the instructions are so simple that even a beginner can follow them. The application is not free, but it will still cost less than visiting a repair service.
Size My Bike (iPhone - £4.99; Android - £3.77)
Determining the size of the right road bike for you can be quite difficult, especially if you are a beginner and buying online. Size My Bike is an application that will help you decide right size bike based on just six measurements of your body. Also suitable for mountain bike selection. 
Bike Hub Cycle Journey planner (iPhone, Android - free)
It is with Bike Hub that it will not be difficult to lay the fastest cycling route, for example, from home to office or vice versa. Along with routing, the application also provides 2D and 3D satellite navigation and step-by-step instructions, exactly like navigation system in a car with audio. Another one useful feature- this is an opportunity to find the nearest bicycle store.
What smartphone apps do you regularly use for cycling? Share with us in the comments.
Today bicycles are so popular that for an amateur active rest with the help of their two-wheeled friend, application developers have created dozens of programs for smartphones on operating systems Android and iOS. Based on their focus, they can be divided into four categories: applications that turn a smartphone into a cycling computer; route planning applications; informational and social apps(networking with like-minded people). In this article we will talk about such utilities for smartphones running popular mobile operating systems.
Navigation
Free application for the operating room Android systems, as its name suggests, is a bicycle tracker. This application opens the review for a reason. The thing is that its developer is Google. To be fair, My Tracks is not just a cycling app. In principle, it can be used when traveling on any transport.
The possibilities of this application are enormous. It can calculate:
- Mileage covered
- Speed and pace
- Elevation changes
My Tracks will record all this data and some others and save it on Google Drive . By the way, the application’s capabilities also include publishing your achievements on social networks. It’s a pity that the track archive will have to be compiled manually. This application cannot keep their statistics.
Of course, no list of sports and outdoor apps can do without this popular application as "Endomondo Sports Tracker". Pro version of this powerful utility costs about 160 rubles. It is designed not only for cycling enthusiasts, but also for skiers, kayakers, ice skating enthusiasts, etc.
For cyclists, this app has three modes: cycling, mountain biking and cycling. And thanks to the social component of this application, you can find friends, travel companions and just bike lovers for joint training. And their results can also be published on your page on the Endomondo website.
Unfortunately, it was not without its drawbacks. Firstly, the application website is in English and, moreover, has a not entirely friendly interface. But, if the language of Shakespeare is not alien to you, then the choice in favor of this application is obvious.
The Strava app also doesn't need much introduction. It is very popular among cyclists and with its help you can record and track your progress: distance traveled, average and maximum speed and so on. And using the leaderboard, you can compare your result with those who covered the same distance as you.
The Strava app also has a social component. You can track your friends' achievements, join clubs, and even take part in competitions.
Russian free application for devices with operating systems iOS systems and Android is similar to Endomondo. Essentially, this is the same GPS tracker. The design of this application, as well as its website, is quite user-friendly. The application supports maps from Google, Yandex and Google, Yandex and Open Street Maps. With Aerobia you can track a huge amount of physical activity data.
The social component of this application is well developed. By using simple tools Aerobia can share its achievements on social networks. On the application website you can register for clubs of interest, read news and add friends.
As for the minuses, it is worth mentioning the small number of subscribers. Yes, the community of this application is growing, but not as fast as we would like. In addition, unlike Endomondo, in this application you cannot find the track of a friend or person who uses your route for training and compare it with your progress.
"Runtastic"
Another application that will appeal to fans of both road and mountain bikes. The basic version of the application is free. To expand the functionality you will have to buy full version for 170 rubles.
IN basic version Runtsatic can record your ride and calculate statistics. But for activation voice accompaniment, using heart rate sensors and planning future workouts, you need to part with the above amount. But, you can simply install Endomondo or Aerobia, where these functions are available for free.
"Bike Hub Cycle Journey planner"
With Bike Hub it will not be difficult to create the fastest cycling route, for example, from home to office or back. Along with getting directions, the app also provides 2D and 3D satellite navigation and turn-by-turn directions, just like a car's navigation system with audio. Another useful feature is the ability to find the nearest bike store.
"Set your bike"
Paid application (costs 35 rubles) for selecting a bicycle to suit your parameters. The appendix contains illustrations and important information for making such a choice. With Set your bike you can accurately calculate the size of your bike. The developers claim that the program algorithm was compiled taking into account the data of popular professional cyclists.
You can also choose your bike using the SizeMyBike app. But, unlike “Set your bike,” it is five times more expensive. The functionality of these applications is similar. But, if you don’t want to buy them, then just find an article on the Internet about how to choose a bike and study it. Installing a smartphone application is unnecessary.
"BikeDoctor" or "BikeRepair"
What to do when your “war horse” breaks down? That's right, it needs to be repaired. But what to do if your bike mechanic skills leave much to be desired? They need to be improved. And you can do this using applications such as “BikeDoctor” and “BikeRepair”. Both applications are paid and can be purchased for 90 rubles. But, unlike a bike sizing app, buying BikeDoctor or BikeRepair is a smart investment. These applications explain everything step by step. The articles are richly supplied with illustrations and diagrams. But, before purchasing, you need to know that the text in these applications is in English.
"Bicycle in the city"
Unfortunately, cyclists are increasingly becoming victims of road accidents. In order to help people injured in such accidents, the “Bicycle in the City” application was developed. Unfortunately, it has poor functionality and a fairly simple interface. But, availability useful information overcomes all the disadvantages of this application.
Another application similar to the previous one is “VeloTraffic”. It's free, but contains ads. In the application you can find useful tips cyclists injured in an accident, traffic police telephone numbers, rules traffic, types of fines for cyclists and other information.
"Velomest"
With this free information app you can find useful locations for cyclists. Users of this application themselves map bike shops, bike parking, bike repair shops, bike rentals and other similar places. For example, here you can find catering establishments where you can go with your bike.
Video. Gadgets and apps for cyclists
Which apps will you choose to track and measure your cycling journey? Whether you're hitting the trails or training for the next competition, some iPhone apps may be just the thing for you. an indispensable assistant. For extreme cyclists, they even have built-in location tracking in case of any unforeseen circumstances. IN App Store enough similar programs, but which one is truly the best?
VeloPal
VeloPal is a great GPS navigation app and intuitive interface. It will help you track all your data, including your current location, distance traveled, altitude, calories burned, time and speed. Cyclists can easily view their travel history in the application using maps, graphs or a calendar. VeloPal can work in background so turn the music on full volume and enjoy the nature around you. And best of all, this amazing app is absolutely free, so don't miss the opportunity and install it on your iPhone as soon as possible.
Map My Ride+
The Map My Ride+ app was created by the same developers who are very popular program Map My Run. In it, like in VeloPal, you can find out about calories burned, distance traveled and time spent on the path. Map My Ride+ also works in the background, but also includes an assistant to help keep your body in good shape. He will be able to count the calorie content of the foods you eat and tell you how you should organize your workout to burn off all the excess.
Cyclemeter
Cyclemeter is perhaps the most comprehensive cycling app ever existing platforms. In addition to various statistics, detailed graphics and reports, the application contains about 120 different sound notifications, which will tell you exactly where you are during your trip. Cyclemeter may send the information it receives to your family or friends simply to satisfy their curiosity or for security reasons. In addition, the application has a built-in assistant that will help you prepare for any type of trip, be it an easy walk around the city or an exhausting trip to another city. You can also export the received data to various formats, including .CSV, .KVL and many others.
Strava
iBiker
iBiker supports an incredible number of different sports accessories that other, even the most sophisticated, programs cannot connect to. It's like previous applications, collects everything for you interesting information: calories burned, distance, charts, maps and more. A particular benefit of iBiker is its support for wearable computing, including Jawbone UP, Fitbit, Polar, Adidas and even BLE Foot Pod. The application can also borrow information from other programs, such as MyFitnessPal and RunKeeper.
Exists big choice mobile applications designed for cyclists. Some of them are simpler - for measuring and tracking the path, others due to their functions will be useful for extreme sports enthusiasts. Below are those programs for iPhone that have been tested in practice and are considered the best.
In contact with
Runtastic Road Bike PRO
One of the best applications for cyclists, the “bundle” of which includes more than 50 functions for amateur or professional athletes. Runtastic Road Bike Pro allows you to track results in real time (time, distance, speed, pace, calories, altitude, etc.), provides data on the weather, current geoposition and much more.
The program supports working with external sensors Heart rate. Using detailed Google Maps Maps, you can view data from previous sessions. Besides, in Runtastic Road Bike Pro available music player, Auto pause function and high-quality voice Feedback during the trip.
VeloPal
VeloPal is one of the indispensable apps for cyclists. Using this client for iPhone, you can track your current location, determine the altitude, the length of the distance covered, the number of calories burned during the journey, measure speed and time. In addition, all this data is saved and the cyclist can at any time familiarize himself with the history of his trips, view maps of the locations he has passed, and check his past performance. The program can be used in the background and therefore, while it is running, you can, for example, listen to your favorite music. 
What pleases me most is that the program is absolutely free.
Map My Ride+
An application from the creators of the quite popular Map My Run. The client's functions are similar to VeloPal, it also has a calorie counter, a determinant of the length of the distance and the time it takes to complete it. The program can also run in the background, but other than that it differs from VeloPal a built-in assistant that, based on the collected data, helps organize training in the most productive way. 
Cyclemeter
The bike app is packed to capacity various functions and therefore is considered perhaps the best for iOS. Based on the collected data, the client builds charts, graphs, maintains statistics, and compiles reports. Cyclemeter equipped with a lot of sound notifications that indicate the location of the cyclist. In addition, the information received by the application can be shared with friends and family, either to show off or to protect yourself during extreme races. The client also has an assistant who, depending on the type of trip, be it an easy walk through the streets of your city or a long journey, will tell you how to prepare for it. The information received by the client is exported to a large number of formats: .CSV, .KVL and others. 
Strava
The application is not only for cyclists, but also for runners. It also keeps statistics, but unlike other applications it is also equipped with functions for recording heart rate and intensity physical activity. In addition, through the application you can access a special social network for athletes, in which you can share your own achievements, information, compete with other athletes, and also use already compiled routes of other cyclists. Through the client, you can also brag about your successes and share information about travel-friendly locations on Facebook and Twitter. 
iBiker
The main difference from the applications mentioned above is the interaction with big amount accessories that do not support even the most serious programs. The functions are mainly the same as those of the above-mentioned applications: determining time, speed, path length, calories burned, drawing up graphs with diagrams, etc. In addition to accessories iBiker also supports wearable computers, in particular Polar, Adidas, Fitbit, Jawbone UP, BLE Foot Pod. The client can “take” data from other programs, such as RunKeeper or MyFitnessPal. 
As long as the travel range does not exceed several kilometers, and all routes follow familiar bike paths and paths, cyclists do not think about the need for a navigator. After all, pedaling is not driving. unfamiliar city driving a car, you can always turn your head and understand where to go.
Some riders cover hundreds of kilometers during a trip, and even on unfamiliar routes. And these athletes simply need a navigator. Previously, cyclists used a map and a compass, and even now bicycle orienteering is a very interesting discipline. The development of technology has not only led to the fact that bicycles have become more reliable, more technologically advanced and, of course, more expensive, but every serious bike can be equipped with dozens of accessories.
One of these accessories that is interesting to bicycle “long-haulers” is a GPS navigator for a bicycle. The navigator functions can be performed as separate device, similar to cars, or a specialized application for a smartphone or tablet.
Individual devices
Just like cars, separate navigation devices are being created for bicycles. The same solutions are used, but changes are often made, almost all of them are aimed at saving charge - there is no permanent source current, such as the battery and generator of a car.
Differences between bicycle navigators and car navigators:
- reduced screen;
- increased battery;
- compact dimensions;
- method of fastening.
In functions and capabilities bicycle navigator is no different from its larger brothers, and provides the same functions. Of course, the issue of charging in any case remains key, both in “normal” mode of use and with the screen and voice comments turned on. This remains the biggest limitation in using devices with large screens.
New items
The main innovations in the field of individual navigators are related to energy. In one direction, this is an increase in the operating time from one battery due to the commissioning of E-Inc screens and diode indicators instead touch panels. In other words, finding additional sources power supplies such as solar panels.
There is no serial production of such accessories yet, but the first pilot projects and community-sponsored models from kickstarter are appearing.
One of the most advanced developments with a HUD projection screen
Smartphone applications
While not everyone will buy a separate device for navigation, these days almost every cyclist has a smartphone. Application developers understand this too.
Developers produce many navigators for different models smartphones, and in total these applications can be divided into three groups according to their functionality.
Sports trackers
These apps are usually not just for bicycles. The navigation feature in tracker apps is additional option, and it comes with dozens of options to track distance traveled, calories burned, diet, and the number of push-ups you did last Saturday.
Combines have always been convenient because they provided additional services. For example, these could be:
- combined statistics for all workouts;
- memorization and analytics on repeating routes;
- combining the path and the exercises performed.
It’s impossible to list all the advantages. There are also disadvantages. Sports combines usually have little focus on navigation, and the only thing they have is a demonstration of the position on the map and following some pre-planned route. Online services are often used to implement these functions. To work with the map you will need an Internet connection and a fair amount of traffic.
Minimalistic navigators
A separate area is navigators tailored for cyclists. Usually these are simplifications of more complex ones. navigation applications with some simplifications and “sharpenings”. For example, it is removed from the map additional color, and the buyer sees only white frames on a black background, or the main interface of the message becomes the voice channel - the robot reads the nearest turns, current speed and other parameters into the earpiece.
Like navigation devices, these GPS trackers are more of a startup and have not been released into production. These are the developments of enthusiasts and potential flagships of the cycling world. In fact, few people use such applications yet.
Maps and navigation programs
Real navigation is provided navigation programs. Navitel, Garmin, Ovi Maps and other services used on navigators are also available on mobile iPhone or Android. The advantages of navigators include:
- complexity - everything is there necessary functions, including address database and calculation of complex routes with conditions;
- connection independence – maps can be downloaded in advance;
- reliability – this software is tested many times and is used by a large number of professionals.
The disadvantages are the paid nature of such applications and their energy consumption - complex software systems poorly adapted to work in energy saving mode.
Using tablets
Regarding energy, modern market electronic devices offers an excellent solution - tablets. Using voice interfaces, without turning on the screen, the navigator can work long hours from a large tablet battery, for example, the power reserve on an iPad is 6 times greater than that on an iPhone.
A holder will not be needed here; the tablet is an accessory that can be transported in a backpack or special bag.
Safety
The main thing to remember when using GPS navigator with constant screen sharing, it's about safety. Constantly looking at the screen can be so distracting that the rider will not notice the next bump or, even worse, a car or another cyclist.
The rule regarding the safety of using navigators is quite simple: be distracted by it as little as possible, and carry out all manipulations, even the most minimal ones, while stopping in a safe place.
Conclusion
GPS navigators are convenient modern devices for assistance in long trips. There are a large number of devices for navigation, as well as more larger number applications for smartphones. The modern rider can choose a device or application to his liking, configuring features, ease of use, price and operating time. It is very important not to forget about safety. Any interference with attention can lead to fatal consequences on the road.
