iPhone Essentials: Biking Apps

iPhone Essentials: Biking Apps
20 posted on July 20, 2010
POSTED IN: Apple, Blog Posts, iPhone, Technology

I recently got the new iPhone 4 (if you knew how long I had to wait to get my iPhone you wouldn’t be hating on me for having it). One of my best-kept secrets over the last 2 years is that I was, in fact, one of the few blogger/social-media-enthusiasts in the world without an iPhone. So many people naturally assumed I owned one so I just let the rumors go. Last month I finally pre-ordered my new iPhone and now have joined the app-loving, Twitpickings, hold-it-right-so-you-don’t-drop-a-call masses.

Reception and death-grip aside, there are some pretty amazing things you can do with this phone. I’m going to share some of my favorite apps and accessories in a series of “iPhone Essentials” posts. Today’s list features some great apps for cycling.

DailyMile (Free)

Although technically not an iPhone app, I use this site all the time to track my cycling workouts and connect with other cyclists (you can find and follow me at www.dailymile.com/people/bradruggles).

DailyMile is a social media tool for runners, cyclists and swimmers. It’s been a great way for me to track and view my rides over time. They have pretty good mobile version of their site that you can pull up on your iPhone but some of the key functionality is missing. There is hopefully an iPhone app in the works (fingers crossed).

Even though this isn’t an app I just had to mention it since it has become the main tool I’ve used to track my cycling workouts and routes. Even if you don’t have an iPhone you can still take advantage of this great site.



Cyclemeter ($4.99)

I’ve tried several apps for tracking my cycling while I’m on the bike and this one has been the best I’ve used so far. Cyclemeter (www.cyclemeter.com) gives you the ability to track your workouts using GPS, visualize your routes and stats with helpful graphs, and share your workouts using popular social media sites. I’ve used Cyclemeter alongside my trip computer on my bike and have found it to be only marginally accurate. If you’re going for complete to-the-minute and to-the-mile precision you’ll want to invest in an actual trip computer. For the average user though this app isn’t bad. I really like the ability to see my routes as well as view my elevation and speed graphs.

view this app in iTunes

RunKeeper (free or $9.99)

I’ve tried RunKeeper a couple of times but the jury is still out. Despite the name, this app can be used to track both runs and bike rides. It has the standard GPS map tools along with a few extras like the ability to link specific iPod playlists with your workout and handy graphs while your activity is in progress. You can also take geo-tagged photos along your route if you want to remember a specific landmark. There is a very functional free version of the app and a fairly high-priced Pro version for $9.99 (I’ve only tried the free version so far). Like I said, I haven’t used this app enough to be hooked but I have heard pretty good things from people who use it all the time. It was also ranked #8 in TIME Magazine’s Top Ten iPhone Apps of 2009.

view this app in iTunes

iMapMyRide (free or $4.99)

I’m least familiar with this app out of the three I have listed but I know it’s been around for a while which means they have had plenty of time to improve each version. I also know that there is a pretty active membership-based online community at mapmyride.com. This app has most of the same standard features as the two above with the added ability to post and share specific routes via the MapMyRide web site. You can download the free ad-supported app or purchase iMapMyRIDE + for $4.99.

view this app in iTunes

Tigra iPhone Bike Mount ($44.95)

If you’re going to be using your iPhone to track your bike rides you’re going to need a decent case. I researched bike-mounted cases online and discovered the Tigra iPhone Weather Resistant Bike Mount for $45. The BikeConsole features a weather resistant housing that allows for touch screen operation. It fits any size handle bar and allows for a rotation of 360 degrees. It also features a shock resistant silicon lining that allows for rugged usage on mountain bikes, motorcycles and golf carts. As an added bonus, even though it is advertised as an iPhone 3G/3GS case it fits the iPhone 4 as well! I’ve used this particular case for about a week now and have been very happy with it.

Have you tried any of these apps? Which do you like best? Got any others cycling apps or tools you recommend?

This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 20th, 2010 at 9:32 am and is filed under Apple, Blog Posts, iPhone, Technology. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

17 Comments

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  1. Visit My Website

    July 20, 2010

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    1 Vince said:

    do any of those upload the data to google maps/docs?

    got a couple friendson iPhones looking for something like MyTracks for Andriod that I have been using. After a ride I upload to docs and maps to track performance form one ride to the next.

    http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&safe=on&msa=0&msid=110601692550265174960.000462e89cdb8ca6470f3&ll=33.639847,-117.166486&spn=0.024546,0.045276&t=h&z=15&iwloc=000463d9e3b32452c5d65



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    July 20, 2010

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    2 sTim said:

    My favorite app? The one on my Android phone that allows me to make calls. It’s a pretty neat feature for a PHONE. =)

    Sorry, had to be said.



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    July 20, 2010

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    3 Brad Ruggles said:

    Vince, yup the Cyclemeter app can send updates via Twitter and Facebook as well as export the map to Google maps. You can even set it up to automatically Tweet/Email friends or family every so often during your ride to update them in real time. Pretty cool. http://www.abvio.com/cyclemeter/



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    July 20, 2010

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    4 cyril scott jones said:

    I am getting back on my bike and was looking into iphone apps, yesterday. Thanks for this great rundown on these apps you saved me some leg work. Also, appreciate the heads up on the case that I can use on my bike, as well as my motorcycle for road trips.



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    August 17, 2010

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    5 Ray said:

    It looks great, but I was wondering if you can use headphones on the iphone 4 with the Tigra Mount?



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    September 14, 2010

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    6 Bill said:

    LiveRider – mount and system for under $100 – http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2010/08/100-liverider-kit-turns-iphone-into-bike-computer/



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    November 8, 2010

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    7 Plastic Pond · said:

    mountain bikes with carbon fibers are very tough and they are very light too ”



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    March 27, 2011

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    8 Iphone 5 release said:

    I’ve heard that iPhone 5 is coming out this summertime. If so, I’m planning to get it when I’m in USA (summer), but can I buy it in the unlock version then? Regardless of the reality that it had lately arrive out and therefor there are no unlock edition until quite late. And if I can acquire it (unlock edition), can I surf on the online outdoors USA?



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    June 21, 2011

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    9 CaLcorn said:

    Have any of you tried endomondo.com? It tracks your maps, lets you compete against a previous time (kind of like a ghost rider) if you pay the $5 or whatever for the pro version, but even the free version tracks your maps and saves them on your account of endomondo.com, so you can compare, see statistics and track performance. And you can send friends messages and it will deliver it to them, sort of like a peptalk, while they are riding. Pretty cool, just started using it.

    You can also check out other people’s tracks in the area, compete on them, or you can make your own and save them either publicly so others can compete on them, or privately, just for you.

    Best part, it works on almost any device, they have an app for everyone.



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    July 21, 2011

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    10 Andy said:

    In my opinion RunKeeper is the best one. I love using it for biking, skating and running. It’s super awesome.

    And it’s free + the community is great :D



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    July 22, 2011

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    11 Kj said:

    Just gave up on MapMyRide. Far too inaccurate. Poor customer service. Not worth the trouble. Eager to try one of these alternatives.



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    October 9, 2011

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    12 Social Media Toolbox said:

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  13. Visit My Website

    November 9, 2011

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    13 New Mobile Phones said:

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  14. Visit My Website

    November 15, 2011

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    14 Cut the Rope said:

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  15. Visit My Website

    January 5, 2012

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    15 iphone 4 case, case for iphone 4 said:

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  16. Visit My Website

    January 30, 2012

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    16 Blog said:

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  17. Visit My Website

    February 20, 2012

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    17 rutas en bicicleta said:

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    [...]iPhone Essentials: Biking Apps | Brad Ruggles[...]…



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