How do you track your miles?

Hello cyclists!

Besides the obvious of just countingr or checking your routes via google maps, how do you keep track of your bike miles? I'm curious if a fitbit or something similar might be a good investment for this purpose. GPS on my phone typically kills the battery and is not always terribly accurate for tracking miles.

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Permalink Reply by Brian O'Halloran on January 10, 2015 at 8:47am

Map my ride app and bike computer

Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on January 10, 2015 at 9:14am
Permalink Reply by BertG on January 10, 2015 at 9:14am
I use the following:
iPhone 6
Cyclemeter app
Connected to Topeak Cadence/speed sensor

You don't need cadence/speed sensor on your bike to use most of the bike apps, like Cyclemeter or MapMyRide. GPS mileage has been fairly accurate with my setup.

If you don't want any battery drain, I would suggest a cycling computer. They can range from $30 on the low end to up around $1k for pros.

It's up to you on budget and logistics.
Permalink Reply by mark stetson on January 10, 2015 at 9:21am

I hate anything with a battery but like to keep track of where I've been, so I just map my route (ridewgps or mapmyride) when I get home and write the mileage on the calendar.

Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on January 10, 2015 at 10:30am

I have the cheapest Garmin GPS for cycling.  It uses a USB charger, and the battery life is pretty good.  It doesn't do much besides record the ride, but you can upload your rides to Garmin's site, Endomondo, and Map My Ride.  Maybe others, but those are the ones I know about.

Permalink Reply by Deet 4.5mi on January 10, 2015 at 10:32am

I have been using endomondo for the last 4 years I feel it works really well.

Permalink Reply by Michael A on January 10, 2015 at 11:07am

I also use a garmin, I have been using them for 4 yrs or so.. The garmin website lets you upload via usb or with the new higher end models via bluetooth and a smartphone. A recent update has also allowed for garmin to post to strava automatically. I use a higher end garmin that can keep track of my heart rate and training zones via a separate heart rate monitor. It also lets my powermeter keep track of the actual work I am doing while riding or training  Here is a nice example of a sub 5 century I did before my knee surgery 

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/113658106

Permalink Reply by Rick Schukat (6.3mi) on January 10, 2015 at 11:21am

+1 on endomondo. Been using for ~1 1/2 years (free version) and really like it.


Deet 4.5mi said:

I have been using endomondo for the last 4 years I feel it works really well.

Permalink Reply by Yasmeen on January 10, 2015 at 12:47pm
Unless the new version has added bike miles, fitbit does not track accurately on a bike. It calculates steps based on motion. I have also been using a Garmin and occasionally use the Map My Ride app on my phone when I don't have my Garmin.
Permalink Reply by Duppie on January 10, 2015 at 12:54pm
I use either Strava or RideWithGps on my android. Both let me track an allday ride, and that includes turning on GPS. No real battery problems to speak.

If battery life is a concern consider buying an external battery for your cell phone. At $20-$30 it is likely cheaper than any GPS device on the market, and it can easily triple your phone life.
Here is a link to some examples: http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=sr_gnr_spell?rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Ac...
Permalink Reply by Tom Z on January 10, 2015 at 4:16pm

I use my Android phone with RideWithGPS. I love that RideWithGPS supports just about every sensor out there. I have it connected to the Wahoo BlueSC.

I don't have any issue with the battery. The key is to keep the screen off on the phone and it will last all day.

To all the people saying GPS kills your battery, check out your battery stats and you will see the real killer is the screen.

I also use the Planet Bike Wireless for instant info while I ride, this is why I don't need the phone screen on.

If I'm riding in an unfamiliar place or just want to know my approximate arrival time I will use Google Bike Navigation.

I'm thinking about getting a Wahoo RFLKT to display feedback from my RideWithGPS. Though I'm hoping someone else comes out with something more advanced that will work with Google Maps, etc. The ideal device would be an Android Wear device with a non-backlit LCD screen to save battery power.

Permalink Reply by Duppie on January 10, 2015 at 6:08pm
To follow up on your orginal comment, if you use something like MMR, Strava, or Endomondo, they all have error correction algorithms built in. After you upload your data to the website and the algorithm did its work, the results are typically spot on.

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