Strava can be very addictive in the way it "gamifies" your riding and encourages competition. It's satisfying to work hard and see your name at the top of the leaderboard. However, even if you manage to get a top position and earn the coveted KOM/QOM achievement (King/Queen of the Mountain), chances are you won't stay there for long. Read on for a list of tips to help you … [Read more...]
Lock your GPS data against bicycle thieves
There's a thief out there who wants your bike, and you could be making it very easy for them. Here's how to lock down your privacy on Strava. … [Read more...]
Tutorial: How to download anyone’s Strava ride
As a fairly recent Strava convert, I was quite surprised to discover that it's not possible to export GPX files of other people's rides. You can export your own routes, no problem, but not those created by others. Garmin Connect and ridewithgps.com both allow users to download gpx tracks, so why not Strava? Here's a workaround... … [Read more...]
Strava… the gamification of cycling.
If I asked you to think of the connection between gaming and keeping in shape, you'd probably mention various fitness and dance games on xbox, playstation and wii. The popularity of these games has made exercising accessible to many who perhaps wouldn't engage with more traditional forms. Aspects of gaming culture are being incorporated into more conventional activities like … [Read more...]
Go home iPhone GPS track, you’re drunk
Couldn't resist making this into one of those humorous internet meme thingies. My 14 year old tried to suppress a laugh, so I guessed I was on the right lines.... Incidentally, the image was taken from this article, comparing the quality of iPhone (4S) GPS tracking with a Garmin Edge 800. … [Read more...]
Garmin maps comparison – City Navigator and OS Discoverer
I've posted previously about the difficulties with using OS Discoverer maps at high zoom levels, because of the pixellation that occurs beyond a certain zoom level. If this bothers you, but you don't want to use open StreetMap maps (OSM), the may be just what you're looking for. … [Read more...]
10 reasons to ditch phone apps and get a proper GPS for your bike.
These days your first experience of using any sort of cycling computer, particularly with a navigation or mapping aspect, is likely to be a smartphone app. There are loads of iPhone and Android apps aimed at cyclists, runners and walkers. Some of them are much better than others, but in terms of their suitability for the task, they all have one fundamental flaw - the … [Read more...]
Best prices on Garmin Edge 800 in the UK?
The Garmin Edge 800 bike computer has had quite a long reign as the champion of cycling GPS units. Prices go up and down a lot, so do check here first. … [Read more...]
Garmin Edge 800: why you shouldn’t bother with custom OSM maps.
So you're thinking of getting a Garmin Edge 800, probably the best bike computer on the market in 2011/12? There are many different bundles to choose from, and when I was deciding which to go for, I knew I wanted the performance monitoring kit, with the heart rate and cadence sensors. Since I'd read that it was possible to load custom open source maps to the unit anyway, it … [Read more...]
Android GPS apps for cycling part 2 – offline maps.
In my previous post I talked about basic GPS apps for cycling, on the android platform. I quite like big hills when I'm out on my bike. The physical challenge to get up them, and the exhilaration of the downhill speed-fest make them the most enjoyable part of cycling. OK, call me a freak. However, mobile phone signals tend to suffer in hilly areas, and it's quite common … [Read more...]