For your next bike ride, rely on an app: here are the best of 2021 to explore, track and navigate safely
Traveling with your smartphone: the best apps for bike tourism and bikepacking
As anyone who travels by bike knows, the smartphone has become an indispensable companion for planning one's adventures and always finding one's way, even on the roughest trails. Some apps allow you to do without expensive GPS navigation devices, while others contain an ever-growing selection of routes suitable for every style of cycling, even in 3D. Have you chosen the right app for your next bikepacking and touring experience? Take a look at this selection to find out which are the best ones out there.
Outdooractive
The ViewRanger outdoor trail maps come together in the new app dedicated to various disciplines and focused on exploration. In the free version you can plan routes and find travel tips. Offline navigation, bonus activities and 3D maps are charged from 30 euros/year.
In 2019, the merger between Outdooractive and ViewRanger began, initiating a series of changes that have had repercussions for the user experience of the new app. The flagship service remains the outdoor route maps that can also be planned, saved and navigated in the free version of the app, for a decent variety of disciplines and with the addition of travel tips. In the Pro and Pro Plus subscription versions, the level of features available is raised, with additional route details that can be explored in more detail in the planning phase and the ability to navigate offline.
Learn more: www.outdooractive.com
AllTrails
App dedicated to the discovery of trails and itineraries with the possibility to select different types of vehicles and indicate them among the search filters. In the pro version at 29.9 euros / year the services of real-time tracking, offline navigation and map overlay.
The AllTrails app is connected to the famous portal dedicated to itineraries to be traveled by bike, on foot or on horseback, addressing itself primarily to those who travel and look for new paths to explore. Among the search filters, it is possible to indicate your preferred means of transport and choose the level of difficulty of the route, the length, type and altitude, as well as other interesting details such as community rating, the presence of selected points of interest and the accessibility of the route to children, animals or wheelchairs. In its Pro version, the app offers the ability to browse maps offline, enable live tracking for safety (called Lifeline in this case) and voice notifications to assist with navigation.
More info: www.alltrails.com
Komoot
It offers features purely focused on exploration and travel, declined in the different disciplines supported such as climbing, trekking, bikepacking and mountain biking.
Free the first region. 59 euros / year for unlimited navigation and regions.
From Germany, the Komoot app offers features purely focused on exploration and travel, declined in the different disciplines supported such as climbing, trekking, bikepacking and mountain biking. What is striking about this app is the large amount of information and travel tips, useful for those who love to discover new adventures in any part of the world or "around the corner", as the claim says.
Also useful is the ability to indicate your training level to select the type of route based on difficulty. The basic features of the app are free, while for a fee you can purchase map packs or subscribe to the Premium subscription that includes navigation, live tracking, multi-day route planner and other services.
More info: www.komoot.de
Strava
Running and cycling app with a large community, offering activity tracking, recording and sharing services. The €60 annual subscription unlocks additional features to plan activities, track progress and compare performance.
One of the most popular tracking apps, dedicated to both the world of cycling and running, equipped with functional and always up-to-date technology. Strava is very appreciated for its community, in fact it offers the possibility to manage a real diary of your activities to share with friends and followers. Unfortunately, the other features that are most useful to cyclists and runners are paid for, such as creating routes, competing on segments, detailed route statistics, or even the Beacon to be tracked by trusted contacts. Strava offers several integration options with popular tracking devices, which are necessary since the app does not have a navigator, but requires an annual subscription for everything else.
More information: www.strava.com
WHIP LIVE
With WHIP LIVE you can plan routes and navigate them , tracking your activity to share with friends and followers. WHIP LIVE's Live Tracking is also complemented by advanced safety features, such as a convenient orientation function, the activation of emergency contacts and the SOS button .
The app is distinguished by its ease of use that masks technical performance, comparable to that of the most sophisticated professional GPS devices, as well as a wide variety of user-generated routes including segments, dirt roads and points of interest.
Try it now www.whip.live/download