Woman looking at her bike app

11 Best Cycling Apps 2024 – Track, Train, and Explore Like a Pro

Cycling isn’t just about the bike; it’s about the experience, the journey, and the tools that make it smoother. In 2024, cycling apps are no longer just “nice-to-haves” โ€” theyโ€™ve become pretty much essential.

From tracking performance to planning the perfect route, the app store has something for everyone, whether you’re a casual cyclist, weekend warrior, or hardcore enthusiast.

Iโ€™ve tested a bunch of cycling apps to find the ones that truly stand out. Let me share the best of the bunch, so you can spend more time riding and less time scrolling through the app store.

11. Flare

Man's hand holding a phone with a bike app on the screen
Flare App on a phone screen

Flare is a unique app that puts safety first. It features crash detection, location sharing, and can alert emergency contacts if something goes wrong on your ride.

Itโ€™s not packed with tracking features, but itโ€™s an app you hope you never need… until you do. Itโ€™s especially useful for solo cyclists or those venturing into remote areas.

Why You’ll Love It

  • Crash detection: Alerts loved ones if something goes wrong.
  • Real-time location sharing: Adds a layer of safety when cycling alone.
Best for: Cyclists who prioritize safety, especially when riding alone or in remote areas.

10. Wahoo SYSTM

Wahooโ€™s SYSTM is all about scientifically designed workouts that focus on specific areas of improvement like endurance, power, and recovery.

It’s got everything from HIIT sessions to long, steady rides, so you can tailor your workouts based on your needs. If youโ€™re serious about performance, itโ€™s one of the most detailed apps out there.

Why You’ll Love It

  • Scientific training plans: Everything is backed by research, so you know itโ€™s legit.
  • Detailed analytics: Get deep insights into your performance.

What to Consider

  • Subscription-based, and the free features are pretty limited.
Best for: Cyclists focused on performance and structured training.

9. Rouvy

A girl holding a phone with Rouvy bike app on it
Rouvy App opened on a phone

Rouvy brings the outdoors indoors with augmented reality routes that mimic real-world locations. You can ride through famous routes and scenic landscapes while focusing on improving your fitness.

It’s highly interactive, combining the visual appeal of outdoor rides with the benefits of structured training.ย  Plus, thereโ€™s a free trial, so you can test it out before committing.

Why You’ll Love It

  • Augmented reality: Ride through real-world locations from the comfort of your home.
  • Structured training: Keeps you on track with fitness goals.

What to Consider

  • Like Zwift, youโ€™ll need a smart trainer, and thereโ€™s a subscription fee.
Best for: Cyclists who want a realistic and interactive indoor training experience.

8. Bikemap

 

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Bikemap is like a treasure map for cyclists. Its global database is packed with cycling routes in cities and countries all over the world.ย  From urban commutes to scenic trails, you can find new routes and track your rides with ease.

Itโ€™s especially useful if youโ€™re traveling and want to explore new cities by bike.ย  The premium version offers offline maps, which is great if youโ€™re worried about cell service cutting out.

Why You’ll Love It

  • Extensive route database: Discover new routes wherever you are.
  • Turn-by-turn navigation: Keeps you on track without constantly checking your phone.

What to Consider

  • Offline navigation is premium-only, so youโ€™ll need to subscribe for full access.
Best for: Cyclists who love exploring new places, both locally and internationally.

7. Ride With GPS

Women checking Ride With GPS app on her phone
Women checks stats on her bike app

For route planning enthusiasts, Ride With GPS is a dream. Iโ€™ve used it to map out rides through areas Iโ€™ve never been to, and itโ€™s incredibly detailed.

The app provides elevation profiles, and navigation support, and integrates seamlessly with most GPS devices. If youโ€™re planning a big ride or tackling unknown terrain, this app is invaluable.

Why You’ll Love It

  • Detailed maps: Perfect for long-distance rides or exploring new routes.
  • Syncs with GPS devices: Makes data tracking seamless.

What to Consider

  • Many of the features are behind a paywall, so the free version is limited. But if youโ€™re serious about route planning, itโ€™s worth the investment.
Best for: Long-distance cyclists who want comprehensive route planning and elevation details.

6. MyWhoosh

MyWhoosh is a newer app, and itโ€™s making waves in the indoor cycling world because itโ€™s free. Thatโ€™s right, it offers a free tier with real-time races, structured workouts, and training programs.

Itโ€™s very similar to Zwift app in terms of virtual environments, but without the hefty price tag. There are fewer bells and whistles, sure, but if youโ€™re on a budget, MyWhoosh is a great alternative.

Why You’ll Love It

  • Free version: Itโ€™s hard to argue with free.
  • Virtual environments: Similar to Zwift, but less expensive.

What to Consider

  • The free version lacks some advanced features, but itโ€™s still pretty solid for casual indoor cyclists.
Best for: Indoor cyclists who want Zwift-like features without the subscription fee.

5. TrainerRoad

A girl check TrainerRoad app while sitting on a park bench
TrainerRoad app opened on a girl’s phone

For those of us who are serious about improving performance, TrainerRoad is the app to get. It’s less about the social aspects and more about hardcore data-driven workouts.

If youโ€™re training for a race or trying to boost your power and speed, TrainerRoad has the kind of structured training plans that get you results. Itโ€™s all about precision and making sure every ride counts.

Why You’ll Love It

  • Data-driven: Everything is tailored to improving your specific cycling goals.
  • Structured plans: Focuses on measurable performance improvements.

What to Consider

  • Thereโ€™s no social aspect hereโ€”just pure training. And yes, itโ€™s subscription-based.
Best for: Competitive cyclists or anyone training for specific goals.

4. Zwift

If you’re an indoor cyclist, Zwift is a must. It takes the boredom out of training by turning it into a game.ย  You ride through virtual worlds, complete with mountains, cities, and even volcanoes, and you can compete against real riders from all over the world.

The races get competitive, and the structured workouts are fantastic if youโ€™re training for an event. It does require a smart trainer, though, so keep that in mind.

Why You’ll Love It

  • Virtual racing: Itโ€™s like playing a video game, except youโ€™re also getting fit.
  • Structured workouts: Perfect for staying on track with training.

What to Consider

  • Youโ€™ll need a smart trainer, and thereโ€™s a monthly fee. Itโ€™s not the cheapest option, but for many, itโ€™s worth the investment.
Best for: Cyclists who want to keep their indoor training sessions engaging and fun.

3. MapMyRide

Man's hand wearing a smartwatch
MapMyRide syncs well with smartwatches

MapMyRide is more than just a cycling appโ€”itโ€™s part of your broader fitness routine. What I love about it is how well it syncs with various fitness devices, like smartwatches and heart rate monitors.

So, if youโ€™re into more than just cycling, youโ€™ll appreciate how it tracks calories burned, steps, and other fitness metrics. It also has a feature where you can access routes created by other cyclists in the community, so you can discover new rides near you.

Why You’ll Love It

  • Device compatibility: Syncs with wearables and fitness devices.
  • User-friendly interface: Itโ€™s easy to track your stats in real-time.

What to Consider

  • Some of the more advanced features require a premium subscription. But for basic tracking, the free version will do the trick.
Best for: Fitness enthusiasts who want to integrate cycling into their overall health goals.

2. Komoot

Man is looking at his bike app
Komoot offers offline maps and much more

If youโ€™re the kind of cyclist who likes to explore unknown trails or head off the beaten path, Komoot is the app to have.ย  The route-planning feature is on another level. It gives you detailed terrain info, which is perfect if youโ€™re into mountain biking or long-distance cycling.

The app also offers offline maps, which means even when youโ€™re riding in a dead zone, youโ€™re not stranded. Plus, it gives you voice navigation, so no more stopping mid-ride to check your phone!

Why You’ll Love It

  • Offline maps: Perfect for when youโ€™re riding in remote areas.
  • Voice navigation: Keeps you focused on the road (or trail) ahead.

What to Consider

  • The full offline map feature comes with a price tag, but itโ€™s worth it if youโ€™re a serious adventurer.
Best for: Cyclists who love planning routes and discovering new places.

1. Strava

@ronmoreno888 How To Use STRAVA in Running #strava #runningapps #fitnessapps โ™ฌ original sound – Minimalist Cyclist – RonMoreno

I have to put Strava at the very top of the list because itโ€™s pretty much a household name among cyclists. Itโ€™s not just about the stats (though itโ€™s great at that), itโ€™s also about the community.

You can track your speed, distance, elevation, and calories burned. But what really sets Strava apart is the social vibe. You can share your routes, see how your friends are doing, and even compete with others on local segments.

Youโ€™ll find yourself pushing harder, not just because of your own goals but because you want to top your friends’ times too.

Why You’ll Love It

  • Community: It’s like Facebook, but for cyclists.
  • Challenges: Participate in competitions and earn virtual badges.

What to Consider

  • Some advanced features, like segment analysis and in-depth analytics, are behind a paywall. Itโ€™s great, but only if youโ€™re willing to shell out for premium.
Best for: Cyclists who want to share their progress and push themselves in a social environment.

Wrapping It Up

Cycling apps are changing the way we ride. From community features to detailed performance tracking, virtual racing, and safety tools, 2024โ€™s app landscape offers something for everyone.

Some apps like Strava and Zwift have been long-time favorites, while newer players like MyWhoosh and Flare are carving out spaces with budget-friendly and safety-focused offerings. The beauty of it all? You donโ€™t need to pick just one!

Many cyclists, including myself, use a mix depending on the dayโ€™s ride.ย  If youโ€™re planning your next adventure, training for a race, or just want to enjoy a safe, connected ride, thereโ€™s an app ready to make your cycling experience even better.

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