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 Marc A. Irwin on January 11, 2015 at 2:56am

A few years ago, when gas first climbed over $2 a gallon, I found that I was passing my mileage goal in July.  The cyclometer went in the trash, I haven't missed it.

Marc

Permalink Reply by Tricolor on January 11, 2015 at 3:30am

I use Endomondo mainly to track how many days I commute but also for walks and skiing if I remember to use it. I used it in Quebec with my phone's data/service shut off and relying on GPS and it worked, along with a trip through Maryland where phone and data signals were spotty.  Strava seems to be the go-to app for bikers but I haven't got any experience with it and most of what I hear is this competitive times stuff that doesn't sound interesting.

Permalink Reply by Tandemonium on January 11, 2015 at 4:05am
Endomondo, it is free and has other functions, not just cycling. I also use it for "running".
Permalink Reply by Melanie M on January 11, 2015 at 3:32pm

Thanks for all the great suggestions everyone! This is a great starting point for me!

Permalink Reply by David P. on January 12, 2015 at 4:41am

Writing what/where I rode each day on yellow sticky notes, and (eventually_ mapping everything in google. Highly advanced! :) Like Marc Irwin, I don't have computers on any of my bikes, but I like to have an idea of what my annual mileage is.

Permalink Reply by Mike Schwab on January 14, 2015 at 8:59am

 http://www.bikejournal.com does accept GPX uploads.  If someone would create a CLUB entry, whoever joins the club can then compare their miles.  Or search by rider location to see riders with public journals.

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on January 14, 2015 at 9:19am

I have multiple bikes and don't have computers on all of them. Years ago I created a spreadsheet to track mileage and maintenance on all bikes. For each year, I have a page with a column for each bike, and columns for maintenance and other notes. This gives me an easy way to track when I last had a tune-up or overhaul on each bike, when I replaced tires or tubes, etc. It also allows for a running mileage tally on each bike and a YTD mileage total for all bikes.  If I add a bike, I add a column.

For the bike without a computer, trips are usually short and often to familiar destination where I know the mileage, or easily reproduced on a mapping program if it's a more complex route. I also have an Other column for Divvy and other trips.

Permalink Reply by Chris Allen on January 15, 2015 at 10:05am

Hey there!

I track miles both with an onboard bike computer, and with the Endomondo app on my smart phone. The app is free, and it provides a nifty chart at the end of the ride showing speed and elevation indexed to time and place. I'm a fan!  

I also track activity and calories burned via Fitbit, but it requires manual updating of the Fitbit log with information from Endomondo or my bike computer to get mileage and calories burned. Since it only tracks movement, it can't know distance.

Permalink Reply by Chitown_Mike on January 16, 2015 at 8:06am

I was given my mom's old Garmin 205, love this thing.  I want to eventually get one with cadence and all that jazz, but for my riding and running it is perfect.  I used to use my phone, and do from time to time, but I like an independent unit and the Garmin has a bunch of features.  I use it to keep my runs at a certain speed as well which is nice.

https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/into-sports/discontinued/forerunner...

Just get the velcro strap replacement, the plastic/rubber one they send it with sucks it big time.

Permalink Reply by Sheri on January 16, 2015 at 8:13am

Garmin 800 and Strava app

If you don't have a Garmin you can manually input the data into the Strava app. Or use your phone to record your ride. Strava doesn't seem to drain your battery too much. I have an iPhone. But anything longer than a 50 mile ride and I wouldn't use the phone app.

There are tons of other sites out there too. MapMyRide.com, RideWithGPS.com. Just google it.

Permalink Reply by Ed Barsotti on January 16, 2015 at 8:13am

Not directly related, but for those who do like to log their miles in tracking an annual goal, or as a friendly competition with others, LIB has a mileage log accessible from www.bikelib.org/maps-and-rides/mileage-log.

Permalink Reply by d34dfish on January 16, 2015 at 9:27am

Moves does a great job if your phone supports it. It's very good at automatically knowing if/when you travel by foot, bike, or transport. Maps everything as well. 

It's the only app that does this that I know of and it's pretty accurate. It's also really easy to change the activity if it gets it wrong. Manual entry is a thing of the past. 

https://www.moves-app.com

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