Cycling Apps That Track Your Progress

Cycling Apps: What’s Actually Worth Installing

Cycling app recommendations have gotten complicated with all the platforms and subscription tiers flying around. As someone who’s downloaded and tested dozens of cycling apps over the years, I learned everything there is to know about what’s worth your phone storage versus what’s just feature bloat.

Here’s the breakdown of apps that actually serve useful purposes.

Tracking and Analyzing Rides

Probably should have led with this section, honestly. Most cyclists need a reliable way to track their rides and analyze performance over time.

Strava

The default choice for most cyclists. Detailed analytics, segment comparisons, social features that create accountability. Free version handles basic tracking. Premium adds training analysis and route planning.

Garmin Connect

Essential if you own Garmin hardware. Syncs seamlessly, provides detailed metrics, manages device settings. Interface is clunkier than Strava but data depth is greater.

Route Planning

Komoot

Best for mixed terrain routes. Surface type indicators actually work. Turn-by-turn navigation with voice prompts. Free for one region, pay for more areas.

Ride with GPS

Strong for road routes. Extensive user-created route library. Good for finding popular routes when visiting new areas.

Indoor Training

Zwift

Virtual worlds, group rides, races, structured workouts. Makes indoor training bearable through gamification. Requires smart trainer for full experience.

TrainerRoad

Pure training focus without distractions. Adaptive plans that adjust to your performance. For people who want to get faster and don’t need entertainment to suffer through intervals.

Weather

Windy

Accurate wind forecasts crucial for planning ride direction. Detailed wind maps and precipitation radar help time rides around storms.

What I Actually Use

That’s what makes choosing cycling apps endearing to us riders who’ve tried everything. Strava for tracking and social, Komoot for route planning, Zwift for winter, Windy before rides. That’s the core setup.

You don’t need a dozen apps. Most duplicate features. Pick one for tracking, one for routes, one for indoor, one for weather. Keep it simple and your phone battery will thank you.