The Best Apps for Outdoor Cycling 2022

Cycling is an endurance activity, and training and tracking are essential for those who wish to compete professionally. Before modern technology, competitors relied on stopwatches, paper maps, and weather forecasts, but as with most things today, there are applications that now make training and planning more efficient.

The apps you use will depend on your riding style and needs. For example, a free app like Google Maps might provide enough insight and tracking power for someone more interested in distance training. There are many paid and free options depending on your interests and needs.

Reasons To Download an Outdoor Cycling App

There are many reasons to download one or more outdoor cycling apps, from safety to training. Many apps provide live updates of your location so that friends and family know where you are at any given moment. Having real-time tracking is potentially life-saving.

If you are a professional or amateur cyclist, apps can help you time your training sessions and track your distance. Also, some apps can track changing weather conditions, helping you stay out of dangerous storms.

Best Cycling Apps for Ride Tracking

A ride tracking app does precisely what it promises; it tracks your ride by tying into your phone's GPS coordinates. You have to have location tracking turned on to use these apps. The best-reviewed ride-tracking apps for cyclists include:

• Strava
• Komoot
• Wattson Blue
• Ride With GPS

Best Cycling Apps for Planning Routes

It is best to prepare your route before exiting your home. While many leisure riders enjoy spur-of-the-moment jaunts around the neighborhood, professionals and amateur cyclists can ride for 40 or 50 miles or more in a single day when training. Knowing where you are going and how long you expect to be gone is vital to planning your gear, snacks, and hydration needs. Also, planning is necessary to ensure your safety.

The best apps for planning routes include:

• Google Maps
• Komoot
• Bikemap
• Bike Citizens
• Cyclers Navigation
• Bicycle Route Navigator
• BikeMaps.org

Best Cycling Apps for Tracking Training

When preparing for a cycling competition or race, you need to keep accurate training records. From distance to speed, the most minute details matter. There are several training apps to consider, including:

• Endomondo
• Strava
• MapMyRide by Under Armour
• TrainingPeaks
• TrainerRoad

Best Cycling Apps for Road Safety

There is more to road safety than traffic laws. While all riders should be familiar with traffic laws and bicycle safety, there are more things to consider, such as weather and first aid. The best apps for road safety include:

• Rain Alarm
• First Aid by Canadian Red Cross
• Komoot
• Epic Ride Weather
• First Aid for Cyclists

Best Cycling App for Time Trialists

Time trialists care mostly about distance and speed. They need apps that help them plan consistent and accurate routes and ones that keep reliable time. The best apps for time trialists include:

• MyWindSock
• Training Peaks
• Strava
• Komoot

Best Free Cycling Apps

The cycling community is a giving and helpful bunch. You can find many free apps for training, planning, weather, safety, etc. Some of the best free apps include:

• Google Maps
• BikeMaps.org
• First Aid for Cyclists
• Zwift
• CycleStreets
• May My Ride
• Rain Alarm



The right app for you depends on your specific needs and goals. If you do not need to delve into the technical side of cycling training, a simple and straightforward route planning app like Google Maps might be sufficient. However, for more advanced training, MyWindSock might provide more insight. If you are thinking about training for an upcoming cycling event, contact a local bike shop to discuss gear and learn a bit more about some useful applications.