Cycling is much more than just a means of transport: it's a passion, a sporting activity and sometimes even a way of life. Whether you're a Sunday cyclist, a fan of long rides, a thrill-seeker or a commuter, mobile applications can revolutionize your cycling. These digital tools help you plan your routes, track your performance and even discover new cycling communities.
Here's a selection of the best apps for cycling enthusiasts, tailored to different needs and levels.
GPS applications: for optimum navigation
Komoot: exploration at your fingertips
If you love adventure and discovering new routes, Komoot is the app for you.
Ideal for planning bike tours, it offers detailed route planning according to the type of bike used and the desired difficulty.
With voice guidance, navigation becomes simple and safe, allowing you to concentrate on the pleasure of riding.
What's more, Komoot lets you share your itineraries and discover community recommendations. It's the perfect tool for outdoor enthusiasts who want to turn their outings into discoveries.
Géovélo: an ally for urban travel
Specially designed for urban cyclists and daily commuters, Géovélo features intuitive mapping and personalized itineraries.
It suggests routes optimized for cyclists, avoiding busy roads, and offers real-time navigation with voice guidance. An interesting feature is its ecological impact indicator, which shows how much CO₂ is saved by your journeys.
Géovélo is proving particularly effective in major French cities, where it is fast becoming an indispensable tool.
Ride with GPS: for advanced planning enthusiasts
Ride with GPS is a must-have application for those who like to plan their trips down to the last detail.
It lets you create and customize routes with impressive precision, while offering in-depth analysis of performance data. You can also export your routes to dedicated GPS devices.
It's a complete solution, ideal for long-distance cyclists and demanding hikers.
Bikemap: a worldwide route library
With over 7 million routes available worldwide, Bikemap is an excellent application for exploratory cyclists.
Whether you're in the local area or on vacation, it helps you find routes to suit your level and desires. Bikemap also lets you download maps offline, making it easy to ride without an Internet connection on adventurous outings.
With its real-time voice guidance, it facilitates navigation and is an invaluable resource for cyclists looking for variety in their routes.
Trailforks: for mountain bikers
Specifically designed for mountain bike enthusiasts, Trailforks lists thousands of trails around the world.
It offers detailed maps with descriptions, photos and reviews for each route. Real-time GPS tracking keeps you on the right track, while live reports of trail conditions, such as closures or obstacles, provide added security.
You can also save and share your own routes. Trailforks is a must-have for cyclists who like to explore technical and varied terrain.
Applications for performance monitoring: go beyond your limits
Strava: for competitive and sporty cyclists
Strava is the benchmark for sports cyclists who want to track their performance and measure themselves against others.
It offers precise GPS tracking to record your routes, along with detailed performance analysis, including distance, speed and elevation gain.
One of Strava's flagship features is the segment system, which allows you to compare your times on specific sections with those of other users.
What's more, Strava encourages social interaction with options for sharing your routes and performances. It's the ideal application for cyclists who like to take on challenges or make progress in a community setting.
MapMyRide: for simplified tracking
MapMyRide, developed by Under Armour, is aimed at a wide audience, from beginners to regular cyclists.
The application records your journeys with detailed statistics and suggests routes adapted to your location.
It integrates easily with other connected devices, such as GPS watches. Its user-friendly interface makes it an accessible solution for tracking your progress without excessive complexity.
Cyclemeter: the versatile tool for enthusiasts
Cyclemeter is a comprehensive application for both novice and expert cyclists.
It offers a wide range of features, including detailed GPS tracking with customizable reports.
It also integrates with other applications, such as Strava and Apple Health, for a connected experience.
With its personalized training plans, Cyclemeter is an all-in-one solution for demanding cyclists looking for a high-performance tool.
Zwift: driving without leaving home
For cycling enthusiasts who also like to stay warm, Zwift turns home-trainer sessions into virtual adventures.
The application offers interactive journeys through imaginary or realistic worlds, as well as real-time challenges with other users.
Thanks to integration with connected home-trainers, Zwift offers a unique immersive experience, ideal for keeping fit during cold or rainy seasons.
Garmin Connect: connect your adventures
For cyclists using Garmin devices, Garmin Connect is a must-have application.
It offers in-depth analysis of the data collected by your equipment, while enabling you to create and share itineraries.
Thanks to its community features, you can take part in challenges, compare your performance with that of your friends or simply track your progress.
It's a great way to enrich your outings and keep track of your best moments.
Applications for fun and pleasant bike rides
Relive your adventures
Relive is a unique application that transforms your bike rides into animated 3D videos.
It emphasizes visual sharing of your experiences rather than pure performance analysis. You can create videos of your journeys, add photos and notes, then share them on social networks.
Relive is ideal for immortalizing your cycling adventures and sharing them with friends and family.
Windy: detailed weather for cyclists
Windy is a popular application for outdoor enthusiasts, including cyclists.
It offers detailed wind, rain and temperature forecasts.
For cyclists, the ability to consult wind speed and direction is a real asset, especially for long rides where weather conditions can have a significant impact.
With its clear interface and interactive maps, Windy lets you plan your journeys with complete peace of mind.
WeatherPro: reliable, accurate forecasts
WeatherPro is another ideal application for planning your cycling outings.
It offers detailed weather forecasts with information on temperature, precipitation and winds.
Its user-friendly interface makes for rapid navigation, and weather alerts keep you informed of changing conditions.
For cyclists concerned about safety and comfort, WeatherPro is an excellent companion.
Whether you're an explorer, a competitor or simply an everyday cyclist, there's an app to enrich your practice. Tools like those mentioned in this article each bring unique value, whether for performance tracking, navigation or planning.
Take the time to try out several options to discover the one that best suits your needs. And don't forget: whatever the application, the important thing is to enjoy every pedal stroke and stay safe!
