Tracking cycling miles with iPhone/smartphone

[CCCA]

I have a fitbit zip (the pedometer style tiny one) which is great because I can use it to track steps and don't have to think about it.  I'm trying to get into cycling more and would like an efficient way to track distance cycled in a similar way to the fitbit.

I downloaded the free Strava app, but it'd be nice to not have to start and stop the app tracking each time I get on and off the bike.  Essentially I want a bike computer that keeps track of (1) distance and (2) time cycling and (3) date stamps it and (4) provides a nice graphical way to review the historical data online. 

Edit: Just wanted to add that GPS tracking isn't essential or it'd be nice to turn off, since that kills the battery of my phone.

Does anyone know of a good app that does all this?

thanks!

[Mrs. PoP]

I've been using RunKeeper for years to track my runs and now bike rides.  You do have to press start/stop/save so it's not completely passive, but it's not bad as a free/cheap cycling computer.  (There is a free version and a $10 version with more features.)  Some people buy iPhone mounts for their handlebars so you can see the display as you ride, but I don't. 

[mrsggrowsveg]

I am not sure of a good option without GPS.  I also have and really enjoy my Fitbit zip.  It however, doesn't track bike miles very well.  I use an iphone app called MapMyRide.  I find it to be pretty close to accurate and it also tells my speed.  I like to look at my total daily activity together so I sync both with the Myfitnesspal app.

[CCCA]

thanks Mrs. Pop and mrsggrowsveg.
I think maybe I'll use Strava for now.  I'll just have to remember to start/stop the app when I'm biking.  I don't really need to see the stats as I'm riding so probably won't do the bike mount.

But if anyone has an app that is more passive (i.e. I don't need to start and stop) and can be on all the time without killing the battery to just keep track of my aggregate and trip distance and time, I'm all ears.

thanks!

[red7]

I use an app called SportsTracker to keep up with my runs. It has options to track pretty much any physical activity you could think of though (the current list is huge and grows with every update). I don't know whether you can turn the GPS tracking off, BUT it does have an auto stop feature. You can set it to pause recording when your speed drops below a threshold that you specify. It will then resume recording when you get back above that threshold. It will also show you speed, altitude, time, pace, etc. It can be used with a heart rate monitor to record that as well. It's a pretty sweet app overall.

Of course, I use the free version that has fewer bells and whistles for comparing all your different workouts, but the paid version looks reasonably priced with a ton of features. I'd say it's definitely worth checking out the free version to see if it might fit your needs.

I have an Android, and the app seems to have a reasonable level of battery usage, IMO. I have used it to track my half marathon races before, taking a few pictures while I ran, and afterwards had plenty of battery left to make a short call or two, send some texts, and make it home (30 min drive) before my phone died.

[Thegoblinchief]

Phones only have two options for location tracking: WiFi (inaccurate at best) and GPS. Newer GPS chips are much more efficient, but they'll still drain a battery rather quickly.

That's why you have to start/stop the apps. Otherwise the power drain would be ridiculous.

[Mrs. PoP]

FWIW, RunKeeper (and probably other apps, too) let you keep the GPS tracking going after turning the screen off.  As long as you don't care about the display being on constantly, the battery drain is significantly less.  I've had RunKeeper tracking for 4 hours and still had about 50% battery life left as long as I used it with display and WiFi both off. 

[fallstoclimb]

It sounds like you want a Garmin bike computer.  They're very expensive.

I don't start and stop Strava every time I get off the bike, I just let it run.  I think it's supposed to auto-pause because the time it tells you is "moving time," but also, I don't really care.  The only numbers I'm interested in are total miles cycled, and my performance on their predefined segments on climbs.

[CCCA]

It sounds like you want a Garmin bike computer.  They're very expensive.

I don't start and stop Strava every time I get off the bike, I just let it run.  I think it's supposed to auto-pause because the time it tells you is "moving time," but also, I don't really care.  The only numbers I'm interested in are total miles cycled, and my performance on their predefined segments on climbs.

Yeah, I was googling around some more and it did seem like a dedicated bike computer was what I was asking for but those things are $$$ and not really necessary since a free iphone app will do much of the same thing with about 5 seconds of interaction each time I start and stop the ride. 

Anyway, Strava was just updated today to include data integration with the Health app on iOS 8 so I think I'll stick with it for awhile.  Did a short 4 mile bike ride at lunch time today.

thanks all for your input.