But this is ignoring all the Pepsis, RC Colas and even the Sprites and Sunkists that occupy our convenience store refrigerators. Apple's App Store and the Google Play Store similarly offer a bevy of cycling-specific apps that would make for great icons on your home screen and could certainly come in handy on the roads.
Here are our 12 favorite apps not named Strava.
Wahoo Fitness
iOS, Android 1 of 13
With the plethora of fitness apps undoubtedly occupying your smartphone, finding a single app that plays nice with others is a real find.
Wahoo Fitness offers a cyclist all the metrics he or she could possibly desire—speed, power, heart rate, etc.—and uploads this data to third-party apps like Strava, MapMyFitness, and more. There's no steel cage around the immense data this app offers, which makes it very appealing.
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Cycling EventsCyclemeter
iOS 2 of 13
If you lack the loose change to throw down on an expensive bike computer, Cyclemeter is the way to go.
Cyclemeter produces a number of statistics, measurements, graphs, maps, charts and more to give riders a complete picture of their cycling performance. In addition, the app offers cyclists an array of workouts and training programs, making Cyclemeter your own personal trainer.
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Cycling EventsMapMyRide
iOS, Android, Windows 3 of 13
Remember this oldie? MapMyRide was the Atari of cycling apps, one of the first to capture our imaginations and spawn a flock of clones. But—unlike the old-school gaming console—this app still holds up well against its competitors.
Similarly to Strava, MapMyRide offers riders a host of data, including distance, speed, elevation and detailed routes. You can also upload your data to their site and share your ride and statistics with friends.
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Cycling EventsFill That Hole
iOS, Android (UK only) 4 of 13
Potholes present one of the biggest dangers to road cyclists, and Fill That Hole, an app created by national cycling charity CTC, is trying to solve it.
The app encourages cyclists—with a simple press of a button—to report deficiencies and dangerous potholes to relevant local authorities. It's simple, straightforward and, most importantly, very effective. While the app is currently only available in the UK, let's hope we can get something similar stateside, shortly.
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Cycling EventsThe Bike Bell Project
iOS, Android 5 of 13
This app is an interesting nugget whose potential outweighs its current effectiveness. The idea is for the app to warn both cyclists and automobile drivers when they're approaching one another. As cars present an enormous danger to our two-wheeled pals, this app is undoubtedly a great idea.
The problem: everyone who drives a car or rides a bike must download the app for it to work. Let's just cross our fingers and hope it catches on.
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Cycling EventsSt. John First Aid for Cyclists
iOS, Android 6 of 13
This is an app you hope you never have to use, but, like carrying a small pump or hex wrench, it remains incredibly important for cyclists to have. While the app is, again, geared toward riders in the UK, the necessary knowledge it contains is not specific to a rider of any one country.
The St. John First Aid for Cyclists is an easy-to-navigate app that equips cyclists with essential first aid skills. And the app doesn't just cover the basics of CPR and bandaging wounds, but dives further into how one can utilize their cycling equipment to help someone in the event of an accident. This is a must download.
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Cycling EventsBikeMaps
iOS, Android 7 of 13
BikeMaps is a crowdsourcing app that allows cyclists to chime in on certain areas where safety could be a concern. Whether it's a hazardous road, a "hotspot" where people routinely steal bikes or a place not amicable toward cyclists, this app will tell cyclists where they should and should not go.
Cycling is a community after all, and no app portrays that better than Bike Maps, where your fellow two-wheeled buddies have your back.
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Cycling EventsRoadID
iOS, Android 8 of 13
Having a RoadID bracelet is important enough on its own, but the app is a great addition that will give you peace of mind as you tackle the roads.
The RoadID app allows your loved ones to track your ride and will notify them if you've stopped moving for more than five minutes. Call it a Life Alert for the extremely active.
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Cycling EventsSize My Bike
iOS, Android 9 of 13
We're not saying this is a substitute for getting your bike fit by a professional at your local bike shop, but it comes pretty darn close.
Size My Bike utilizes six different measurements—height, shoulder width, arm length, sternum, inseam and foot size to give you an accurate sketch of your ideal bike. This is particularly useful for those shopping online or scouring Craigslist for their next steed. After all, getting a bike in the mail that doesn't fit is the epitome of disappointment.
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Cycling EventsViewranger
iOS, Android 10 of 13
While there's no shortage of apps for cyclists whose preferred surface is asphalt, it's slim pickings for those inclined to gravel and dirt. Luckily, Viewranger gives detailed maps of various trail systems around the world. Based on the app's layout and useful topographical maps, it's clear this app is less for the endurance crowd and more for the adventure crowd.
Viewranger also promotes community, allowing you to share your ride with friends and see who's tackling the trails around you.
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Cycling EventsBike Doctor
iOS, Android 11 of 13
If you're the type who makes routine trips to the local bike shop or bugs a buddy to fix even the most minute issues with your bike, you can stop racking up the favors you owe them and download Bike Doctor.
This $5 app could save you hundreds in the future. With easy tutorials and step-by-step guides to help you through the most common mechanical maladies, this app will make you both thrifty and handy. We call that two birds with one app.
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Cycling EventsZwift Mobile Link
iOS, Android 12 of 13
Zwift has exploded onto the cycling scene by solving a problem all cyclists can associate with: Boring trainer spins. With its immersive virtual world and the camaraderie on the road, cyclists will see an hour trainer spin pass by faster than ever before.
The Mobile Link app allows you to choose your route, while simultaneously displaying metrics like speed, distance and RPM. You can even give nearby cyclists some motivation with a wave, bell ring or "ride on" command.
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