Among the healthiest practices there may be is cycling. Given its popularity, it is estimated that there are at least 500 million cyclists worldwide, with the number likely to be much higher. Strava alone reached more than 70 million users/cyclists through its app and social network at the end of 2020.
For this reason, there are many applications for cyclists that help collect data and health metrics when cycling and after cycling, in order to obtain information on performance and goals achieved, and in this opportunity we collect a selection of the 5 best applications for it.
Below, you will find a list of the 5 best cycling apps for Android. They are all free and available on the Play Store. Of course, it is possible that one or more offer an internal micropayment system with which you can take advantage of more advanced functions and more features for measuring activity.
Strava
We just named it, and now we detail it in more depth. And of course, if it's about one of the most used apps by cyclists around the world to obtain information about their training routines on bicycles, not to say that it is the most used of all.
Strava is a fairly complete application that It offers all kinds of features and functions to know how to monitor the activity while pedaling. In question, it allows you to know the distance traveled, the average speed, the elevation achieved and, of course, the calories consumed during training. Best of all, it allows you to know this during exercise and even after it. It also shows the performance given by segments, since it is known that in a path the performance is not the same in each section. In this way, it is possible to improve the level of resistance and strength.
Also offers an interactive map through which you can display the exercise route through GPS connectivity and the Internet. Added to this, for those who need motivation to pedal, Strava is constantly launching monthly challenges and achievements.
On the other hand, Strava is also known as a social network because allows you to interact with friends through the app itself in a simple way. Follow them and check out their activities, and encourage them with positive comments and well-deserved congratulations; they can also do the same with you, it is worth noting. Plus, you can brag about your achievements and compete for top numbers on the segment leaderboard. It also allows you to share your goals on social networks like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Strava is also compatible with GPS-enabled smartwatches, bike computers, and fitness trackers in general.
MapMyRide: Cycling with GPS
MapMyRide is another excellent app for Android that is used to monitor everything related to cycling in real time. Basically, this activity tracking tool promises to "turn your phone into the best cycling monitor", with features including customizable training plans for beginners, expert and high-performance cyclists alike. It also offers tips and suggestions to improve your fitness and technique when pedaling.
This app can also monitor heart rate while cycling. In turn, it helps to lose weight through cycling and all the features it has to offer, which are related to the optimization of the state of health and physical condition in general. The other thing to note is that it allows you to share the route you have taken with friends, colleagues and family.
Otherwise, MapMyRide has the GPS function to mark routes and see the position in real time. It also allows you to view data such as average speed, elevation, distance traveled and more.
Komoot: hiking and biking
Millions of cyclists trust Komoot to know important details about their cycling performance. This tool, like the previous two already described, has interesting functions that include route planning, whether for biking or walking/running and hiking in the city, the forest or anywhere else. For it, uses GPS, with which it helps to locate the exact position in real time and trace the route to follow towards the goal.
GPS directions with Komoot are guided by voice, so you won't have to look at your mobile every time you want to know where to go, much less pick it up; In this way, you can focus on the road without taking your eyes off what is ahead.
To know more details of the land where you are going to practice cycling, Komoot offers topographic maps without an Internet connection, in order to be able to see them wherever, whenever and regardless of whether there is no mobile data coverage. In addition, it also allows you to share progress, photos, tips, bike routes, favorite places and more with friends. The app is also compatible with other cycling and activity tracking devices like Wear OS smartwatches, Garmin devices, and more.
Bikemap: Cycling Map, GPS
Bikemap is an excellent alternative to the apps previously listed in this compilation thanks to the fact that it also has quite complete cycling tracking features. Nevertheless, one of the best things about this app is that it is quite light, since it does not exceed 16 MB in weight, which is due, in part, to the fact that it has a simple and practical user interface.
Basically, the main function of this application is to display maps of more than 10 million bike routes around the world. With this, any cyclist can take advantage of them to make training routes. For the rest, it is capable of calculating cycling progress, measuring speed, distance traveled, elevation, arrival time and other data of interest to improve performance and know how productive the bike trip was.
