Cycling and Smartphones — A Perfect Combination

Spring is here and for many, that means it’s time to ride. It doesn’t matter if you have a pink beach cruiser, or a sleek, carbon fiber racing bike – once the cycling bug bites, it’s often contagious.

The riding experience can be enriched through a smartphone or tablet coupled with a few of the many apps available for the novice or experienced cycler. Tucked away in a basket or a pocket of a cycling jersey, the device can gather information such as location, altitude, and speed, while also providing tips for suggested routes and compiling workout information.

Here are a few apps to check out before your next biking excursion. Want to know the details of a trip before hitting the road? The Bike Computer Pro app can help plot your route. By touching the map on the points where you want to go, the app will map your ride and calculate distance and elevation. You will also be able to view your real-time position on the map and gather stats such as current speed and average speed.

Map My Ride is another option, providing cyclists with the ability to track the route, time, distance, speed, pace and calories in real time. Part of the MapMyFitness family of apps, Map My Ride also helps the user keep their eye on fitness for weight loss, calorie counting, training and other metrics. 

Endomondo caters to cross-training activities, allowing you to monitor fitness whether on your bike, running or walking. After signing up with Endomondo, all data is sent to a personal training diary at www.endomondo.com. From this site, the user can analyze their training and look at progress.

A few of the other cool features include audio feedback for every mile or a live audio pep talk from friends and fitness colleagues. It also provides additional inspiration by allowing you to ride or run a nearby route and virtually race against the route champion.

The next time you pedal, whether around the block or with the peloton, try it with an app. See you on the roads and trails.