Wheeler's Wheels - August 2022

Mobile apps can enhance your experience

Professional about cycling, David Wheeler cycles 30 miles a week and is a member of Saddleworth Clarion Cycling Club

After a while of cycling many want to record their rides and share them with friends.  Mobile phone apps are plentiful and here are just some of mine.

Strava – this is the app that leads the way. You can record your rides share with friends and even follow riders such as Chris Froome.  Rides are split in to segments and your time in each segment is displayed against other riders and your previous rides.

Garmin Connect – A must for all riders who use Garmin computers. From Garmin you can synchronise to Strava and other apps too.

Relive – After recording a ride, and synchronising with Strava a 3D image video of your ride is created. You add photos and a great way of sharing your rides in Facebook etc.

Headwindapp.com – with this app linked to your Strava account you can see what affect the wind has had on your ride, very good want you are short of excuses as to why you were slow today!

Veloviwer – This shows on a map all the roads you have cycled and recorded on app’s like Strava. Very interesting to see obscure rides you have done and even rides overseas.

Lastly while out and about and the fear of getting lost is always there, apps like What Three words and OS Maps along with Google maps will always find you a way home or back to the car.

Lastly give some thought for a friend of mine from Holmfirth who is cycling Belgium to Bulgaria in the transcontinental cycle race. She is unsupported she has four controls to book in to and the rest is up to her. She carries everything she needs, and no help is provided. Good luck Claire!

Safe riding to all and give fellow cyclists a wave.

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.