Whether you’re gearing up for a weekend ride or smashing personal records, the right cycling apps can make all the difference when you’re out and about. From tracking progress to dodging headwinds, here are our favourite picks for apps that every rider should know about!
The Best Apps for Tracking Your Rides
Strava – Your Personal Ride Tracker
If you enjoy cycling, Strava is the perfect app. It’s like a digital scrapbook of your cycling adventures from daily commutes to epic trails. Most cyclists, regardless of which fitness device they use, enjoy uploading their rides to Strava. Why might you ask? The app is not only easy to use and navigate, but packed full of fun features that enhance your rides.
With Strava, you can:
- Track Progress: See your ride stats and improvements over time.
- Segments: This feature allows you to compete with yourself and other in specific stretches of road or trail. This feature is perfect for mountain bikers timing trail runs or road cycling sprinting for those coveted KOMs!
- Social: You can share your rides, cheer on your friends and join challenges for a bit of friendly competition.
Before you hit start on Strava, take a look at our Boardman range, featuring lightweight road bikes and trail-ready mountain bikes to take your rides to the next level.
Garmin Connect – A Must for Garmin Users
If you’ve got a Garmin device or considering purchasing a Garmin, Garmin Connect is an invaluable tool to track, analyse and share your activities. Think of it as your personal fitness command centre, designed to help you get the most out of your rides.
With Garmin Connect, you can:
- Track Performance: Monitor your stats from every ride and dive into the details to improve your performance.
- Train Up: Create or download workout plans with Garmin Coach to suit your individual fitness goals.
- Check your Health: Access data on heart rate, sleep, and more to keep an eye on your overall well-being.
- Challenge and Connect: Interact and compete with friends, earning badges and cheering each other on!
Whether you’re aiming to hit new PBs or simply stay fit, Garmin Connect put all the tools you need for cycling success right at your fingertips.
The Best Cycling Apps for Weather Planning
Epic Ride Weather – Never Get Caught Out
Nobody likes being underdressed (or overdressed!) for a ride. That’s where Epic Ride Weather can come into your cycling adventures. This app pairs with existing route planning apps like Strava and Komoot to give you precise weather forecast for your specific route.
With Epic Ride, you can:
- Receive Tailored Forecasts: Know the temperature, wind, and rain for every point along your ride.
- Pick the Perfect Gear: No more second guessing the weather, allowing you to pick the right kit every time!
- Get Social: Share route-specific weather with friends so everyone’s prepared.
From hydration planning to avoiding those sudden downpours, with Epic Ride Weather ensures smooth cycling!
My Windsock – Outsmart the Wind
Have you ever set out on a ride only to get met with battering headwinds? MyWindsock has you covered. This wonderfully clever tool helps you plan routes and times that work with the wind, not against it!
With My Windsock, you can:
- View Wind Maps: See visual wind maps that show headwinds in red, crosswinds in purple, and tailwinds in blue at a glance.
- Plan Smoother Rides: Time your ride to avoid battling the wind and enjoy smooth tailwind boosts.
Before you head out, ready to outsmart the wind, check out our cycling clothing range, that will keep you warm and visible on the roads.
The Best Cycling Apps for Route Planning
Komoot – Plan the Perfect Route
Komoot is the go-to app for route planning, perfectly designed for cyclists. Whether you’re seeking smooth tarmac or a rugged gravel trail, Komoot helps you map out the perfect route tailored to your preferences.
With Komoot, you can:
- Customise: Tailor your rote based on terrain, difficulty level, and duration to fit your exact needs.
- Navigate: Get turn-by-turn navigation and offline maps to keep you on track, even in more remote locations.
- Track your Trails: By syncing your rotes with your fitness device, you can monitor performance and track progress with detailed stats and insights.
Ride with GPS – Map Your Adventures
Ride with GPS is the perfect app for cyclists who love exploring new areas. Whether you’re a solo adventurist or set out with friends, this app allows you to design, discover, and share routes with ease.
With Ride with GPS, you can:
- Map: Plan routes with its easy-to-use interface.
- Access Offline: Navigate with confidence and leave aside worries about signal loss.
- Get Social: Discover a variety of routes shared by other adventurous cyclists.
The Best Cycling Apps for Training and Fitness
Training Peaks – Ascend to a new PB
Training Peaks is perfect for competitive, or non-competitive cyclists who love to follow data-driven plans created by the experts to enhance their cycling performance. If you’re preparing for a race or ready to set a new personal best, Training Peaks, has you covered.
With Training Peaks, you can:
- Hit your goals: Access training programs tailored to your goals.
- Analyse: With metrics like power, heart rate and stress levels available to view, you can optimise your training.
- Connect with a Coach: Meet coaches who can adjust your plans and track your progress.
Zwift – Indoor Training Meets Virtual Racing
If indoor training leaves you craving something more, Zwift is the app for you. Zwift brings together structured training and the thrill of virtual racing, all from the comfort of your home. With interactive and immersive courses, you’ll feel like you’re riding in different parts of the world.
With Zwift, you can:
- Join a group: Ride with a community of cyclists worldwide or compete in exciting virtual races.
- Train up: Choose from hundreds of structured training plans or create your own.
- Ride anytime, anywhere: Zwift connects to your smart trainer or bike for an engaging, realistic indoor cycling experience.
TrainerRoad – Bring the outside, inside.
When the weather stops you from getting out on the road or trails, TrainerRoad is the perfect choice for indoor training. TrainerRoad focuses on structured workouts and personalised training plans, focusing on making your faster. Depending on your performance levels, the app will increase or decrease intensity – helping you understand you train smarter.
With TrainerRoad, you can:
- Get a plan: Receive training programs suited to your goals.
- Track your performance: Analyse your progress with detailed data.
- Sync Up: Sync your indoor and outdoor works to your fitness device for seamless training.
Don’t let the weather stop you from hitting your cycling fitness goals, take a look at our range of turbo trainers that give you the freedom to ride whenever you choose!
Before your next ride, check out some of the ten apps we’ve mentioned today. From unpredictable weather to optimised training plans – you’ll be ready to face anything. Plan smarter, ride harder, and get the most out of your time on the road or trail.
And when you’re ready to head out, be sure to visit your local Halfords or our website. We’ve got everything from Garmin devices to cycling clothing, ensuring you’re full equipped for the adventures ahead.
