- Coming up on GCN, top ten cycling apps.
First up on our list is a brand new app,
just released called Fitness AR.
Which is a bit of a glimpse into the future,
but also a detailed augmented reality look
at the ride you've already done in the past.
It is powered by map box and although
it is not going to help you improve as a cyclist,
it is really quite a cool app.
It puts a 3D map of your ride onto your kitchen table
or whatever your preferred flat surface is.
Well unfortunately as we record this
it is only available on IOS devices.
Endomondo is a very popular app
which has been around since 2007.
And as well as tracking and logging your ride
it also acts as a coach and mentor if you so wish.
Giving you encouragement on your ride
and letting you know when you've reached your goals
in your time.
And as well as all of that
its also got a global fitness community,
which allows you to connect with like minded people
the world over.
Online virtual cycling world Zwift
is increasing in popularity at a incredible rate.
And you no longer need a computer or laptop
to join in the fun.
With the IOS companion app in store all you then need
is a trainer and a Bluetooth sensor
set up on the rear wheel.
And the experience you get is very similar to the one
you'll have on the computer,
without the hassle of having to set your bike up
near a computer or vice versa.
And there's also some good new for non apple phone
or iPad users, the android app is on its way soon.
If you are really serious about your training,
then the training peaks app is definitely the one for you.
The app syncs up with your training peaks account.
And it gives you an incredible amount of detail
about the training that you are doing.
It also allows you to plan in advanced
all of your training sessions
for as long as you want into the future.
Maybe even for the entire season.
And for those of you with a coach,
it will show you the training sessions
that your coach has planned for you.
And your coach will be able to see
whether or not you've completed them.
Good for those of you
who actually complete your training sessions.
This next one is not a cycling specific app but never less
it is still very useful for us.
And it basically does what it says on its hint.
Windfinder finds the wind.
And what that allows us to do
is perfectly plan out routes
so that we've got a lovely tailwind to sail back home with.
And for the initial part of the ride you can plan it
so that you can sail through nice sheltered roads.
Whilst your facing more of a headwind.
It also shows you change of direction
on wind throughout the day.
So if you're very lucky
and you're very well planned in your route.
You could potentially have a ride
which is almost a tailwind the entire way around,
imagine that.
It is also great for the racers out there
and is in fact used by some of the world tour teams.
Because it allows you to point out where there might be
potentially dangerous crosswind sections on the course.
So you can be perfectly prepared
and make your rivals suffer in the gutter.
We could not possibly have a top ten cycling apps video
without including Strava.
Easily the most popular app amongst cyclist.
Its a workout tracker which records speed, distance,
and a whole host of other performance parameters.
But the most popular part of this app among
serious cyclists at least has to be the segments.
There is nothing quite like the feeling
of becoming King or Queen of the mountains
on your local climb.
Although to be fair, that is becoming increasingly difficult
as time goes on.
Particularly as people are using Strava
in conjunction with Windfinder.
Sticking with Strava for just one more moment.
The one touch Strava recording app
will save you a little bit of time
at the start of your ride.
All you've got to do is press the app on your phone
and Strava will begin recording you're ride.
Really doesn't get much easier than that.
Now if your struggling for a bit of motivation,
you might want to try this next app which is called,
My Virtual Mission.
The app allows you to set personal or group goals,
Or join in to one of the various challenges that they set.
Now one of your goals for example
might be to ride to Beijing, virtually.
You won't actually be riding to Beijing of course.
But what the app does is log your cumulative miles,
so that you can see on the virtual app
how close you are to your virtual goal.
Lets face it, riding in the rain generally isn't
a whole lot of fun.
So avoid it at all cost
by using this next app called Rain Alarm.
What the rain alarm app does
is give you a real time weather map so that you can see
any approaching bands or pockets of rain
and therefore plan your route
or the time of your ride appropriately.
Now there are a huge number of route planning apps
out there at the moment,
but the one we've been using a lot lately
is called Komoot.
If offers you a number of different choices
when you are planning a route from A to B.
Which a great way to find new routes and new roads.
It syncs up to compatible devices,
offers you turn by turn voice navigation,
and it also allows you
to make your routes available offline,
which is great for areas that don't have great 3G coverage.
So those are our top then cycling app at this point in time.
But what we would love to know
is if we've missed any apps that you love to use yourself.
And you can discuss it with us and with our other viewers
in the comments section just down below this video
and if you've not yet subscribed to GCN you can do so now
by clicking on the globe.
And a couple more videos
that you might want to watch right now.
First up if you'd like to see
how far the world of cycling apps has come on
in the last few years.
Our top ten previously we've done at the start of 2014
and that video is just down here.
Meanwhile if you haven't seen a GCN show
or you've missed the latest one it is just down here.