How to Create a Cycling Route with Strava Route Builder

If you’re looking to plan out your next cycling adventure, Strava Route Builder is an excellent tool to help you create a customized route. With Strava, you can create a route from scratch or use one of the suggested routes on the platform. Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or just starting, Strava Route Builder is easy to use and can help you plan your next ride.

Getting started with Strava Route Builder is easy. You can access it from your computer or the Strava app. Once you’re logged in, click on the Explore tab and select Create a Route. From there, you can start planning your cycling route. Strava also provides suggested routes, so if you’re not sure where to start, you can explore these options and customize them to fit your preferences.

Key Takeaways

  • Strava Route Builder is an excellent tool to help you create a customized cycling route.
  • Getting started with Strava Route Builder is easy, and you can access it from your computer or the Strava app.
  • Strava provides suggested routes that you can customize to fit your preferences.

Getting Started with Strava Route Builder

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If you’re looking to create a cycling route using Strava Route Builder, you’re in the right place. Strava is a popular platform that allows cyclists to track their rides, analyze data, and connect with other cyclists. The Strava Route Builder is a tool that allows you to create custom routes for your cycling adventures. In this section, we’ll cover everything you need to know to get started with Strava Route Builder.

Creating a Strava Account

Before you can use Strava Route Builder, you’ll need to create a Strava account. Creating an account is free and easy. Simply go to the Strava website and click on the “Sign Up” button. You can also sign up using your Facebook or Google account. Once you’ve created your account, you’ll be able to access all of Strava’s features, including Route Builder.

Understanding the Strava Subscription

While creating a Strava account is free, there is a premium subscription available that provides additional features. The Strava subscription includes features such as personalized coaching, live feedback during rides, and advanced analysis tools. However, you do not need a subscription to use Strava Route Builder. The basic features of Route Builder are available to all users, regardless of whether they have a subscription or not.

In summary, creating a Strava account is the first step to using Strava Route Builder. While a subscription is available, it is not necessary to use Route Builder. With these basics in place, you’re ready to start creating your own custom cycling routes using Strava Route Builder.

Planning Your Cycling Route

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When it comes to planning your cycling route using Strava Route Builder, there are a few things to consider. In this section, we’ll cover how to set your starting point, map your course, and customize your preferences to create your perfect route.

Setting Your Starting Point

The first step in planning your cycling route is to set your starting point. You can do this by either searching for a location in the search bar or by clicking on the map to drop a pin. Once you’ve set your starting point, you can begin to map out your route.

Mapping Your Course

To map out your course, simply click on the map to add waypoints. You can add as many waypoints as you like to customize your route. As you add waypoints, Strava will automatically calculate the distance of your route. You can also drag and drop the waypoints to adjust your route as needed.

When mapping your course, you have the option to choose between a direct route or a popular route. The direct route will take you from your starting point to your endpoint in the most efficient way possible. The popular route will take you along the most popular cycling routes in the area.

In addition to these options, you can also use Strava’s personal heatmap and global heatmap to see where other cyclists have ridden in the past. This can help you to find the best routes and avoid busy roads.

Once you’ve mapped out your course, you can save it to your My Routes section. This will allow you to access it later and make any necessary changes.

In summary, planning your cycling route using Strava Route Builder is easy and customizable. By setting your starting point and mapping your course with waypoints, you can create the perfect route for your preferences. Don’t forget to take advantage of Strava’s heatmap and popular routes to find the best cycling routes in your area.

Customizing Your Route

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Once you have created your Strava route, you can customize it to make it more tailored to your preferences. Here are some ways to do that:

Adding Waypoints and Points of Interest

Adding waypoints and points of interest can help you create a more interesting and enjoyable cycling route. To add a waypoint, simply click on the route at the point where you want to add it, and then click on the “Add Waypoint” button. You can then enter a name for the waypoint and any other details you want to include.

To add a point of interest, click on the “Add POI” button and enter the name and any other details you want to include. You can also choose from a list of popular points of interest, such as bike paths and scenic overlooks.

Adjusting Elevation and Surface Preferences

If you have specific preferences for elevation gain or surfaces, you can adjust these settings in the Strava route builder. To adjust elevation preferences, click on the “Elevation Profile” button and then choose your preferred elevation gain. You can also adjust the surface preferences by clicking on the “Surface” button and selecting the surfaces you prefer, such as bike paths or dirt roads.

Keep in mind that adjusting these preferences may affect the length and difficulty of your route. If you want to keep your route within a certain distance or difficulty level, be sure to check the route details after making any changes.

By customizing your Strava route with waypoints, points of interest, and elevation and surface preferences, you can create a cycling route that is tailored to your preferences and interests.

Saving and Using Your Route

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Once you have created your cycling route using Strava’s Route Builder, you can save it for later use. In this section, we will discuss how to save and export your route, as well as how to navigate with turn-by-turn directions.

Saving and Exporting Your Route

To save your route, simply click the “Save” button in the top right corner of the screen. You will be prompted to give your route a name and description. Once you have done this, your route will be saved to your “My Routes” page on Strava. You can access this page by clicking on the “Dashboard” tab and selecting “My Routes” from the drop-down menu.

If you want to export your route to a GPS device, you can do so by clicking on the “Export” button next to the “Save” button. This will allow you to download the route as a GPX file, which can then be uploaded to your Garmin or Wahoo device.

Navigating with Turn-by-Turn Directions

If you want to navigate your route using turn-by-turn directions, you can do so using the Strava mobile app. Simply open the app and select your route from the “My Routes” page. Once you have done this, click on the “Navigate” button and the app will guide you through the route using turn-by-turn directions.

If you prefer to use a GPS device, you can upload the GPX file to your device and use it to navigate your route. Most devices, including Garmin and Wahoo, support GPX files.

In conclusion, saving and using your route on Strava is a simple process. By following the steps outlined in this section, you can save your route for later use and navigate it using turn-by-turn directions on your mobile app or GPS device.

Sharing and Community Features

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Strava is not just a route builder, it’s a community of cyclists sharing their experiences and achievements. Here are some of the sharing and community features you can use to engage with the Strava community.

Making Your Route Public or Private

When you create a route using Strava, you can choose whether to make it public or private. If you make it public, it will be visible to anyone on Strava. If you make it private, only you will be able to see it. This is useful if you want to keep your routes private for safety reasons or if you don’t want to share your routes with others.

Engaging with the Strava Community

Strava is not just a route builder, it’s a social network for cyclists. You can engage with the Strava community in many ways, such as:

  • Liking and commenting on other cyclists’ activities
  • Joining clubs and communities to connect with other cyclists who share your interests
  • Participating in challenges and leaderboards to motivate yourself and compete with others
  • Creating Strava art by planning your route to spell out words or create shapes on the map

Engaging with the Strava community can help you stay motivated and connected with other cyclists. It’s a great way to share your achievements and get feedback from others.

Privacy Settings

Strava has several privacy settings that you can use to control the visibility of your routes and activities. You can choose who can see your activities, who can follow you, and who can see your profile information. This is useful if you want to keep your routes and activities private or if you only want to share them with a select group of people.

Saving Routes

Once you’ve created a route using Strava, you can save it for future use. This is useful if you want to ride the same route again or if you want to share it with others. You can also edit your saved routes if you need to make changes.

Visibility

When you create a route using Strava, you can see the elevation profile, distance, and estimated time for the route. This can help you plan your ride and prepare for any challenges along the way. You can also see the routes created by other cyclists in your area, which can help you discover new routes and explore new areas.

Motivation

Strava can be a great source of motivation for cyclists. You can set goals for yourself, track your progress, and compete with others. You can also join challenges and leaderboards to motivate yourself and push yourself to achieve more.

Challenges and Leaderboards

Strava has many challenges and leaderboards that you can participate in. These challenges can help you stay motivated and push yourself to achieve more. You can also see how you stack up against other cyclists in your area or around the world.

Safety

When creating a route using Strava, it’s important to consider safety. You should choose routes that are safe and avoid busy roads or areas with high traffic. You should also wear appropriate safety gear and follow the rules of the road.

Achievement

Strava can be a great way to track your achievements as a cyclist. You can see how far you’ve ridden, how many calories you’ve burned, and how many achievements you’ve earned. This can help you stay motivated and track your progress over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

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How do I start designing my own cycling route on Strava?

To design your own cycling route on Strava, you can use the Strava Route Builder tool. You can access this tool by logging into your Strava account and clicking on “Explore” and then “Route Builder”. From there, you can choose your starting point and then add additional points to create a custom route. You can also customize your route by choosing different surface types and elevation preferences.

What steps are involved in finding existing nearby routes on Strava?

To find existing nearby routes on Strava, you can use the “Explore” feature on the Strava website or app. This feature allows you to search for routes in your area by distance, elevation, and other criteria. You can also browse popular routes created by other Strava users or use the “Heatmap” feature to see where other cyclists are riding in your area.

Can I import a GPX file to Strava to create a new cycling route?

Yes, you can import a GPX file to Strava to create a new cycling route. To do this, you can use the “Upload” feature on the Strava website or app. Simply select the GPX file from your computer or device and then follow the prompts to create a new route.

Is it possible to manually draw a bike route in Strava if I don’t have GPS data?

Yes, it is possible to manually draw a bike route in Strava if you don’t have GPS data. To do this, you can use the “Create Route” feature on the Strava website or app. Simply click on the map to add points and then drag the points to create a custom route. This feature is especially useful if you want to create a route for an area that you are not familiar with.

How can I reverse a route in the Strava app for a fresh cycling experience?

To reverse a route in the Strava app, you can use the “Reverse” feature on the “Route Details” page. Simply tap on the “Reverse” button and then follow the prompts to create a new route that starts at the end of the original route and ends at the beginning.

What are some alternatives to Strava for planning a cycling route?

Some alternatives to Strava for planning a cycling route include Ride with GPS, Komoot, and MapMyRide. These apps offer similar features to Strava, such as the ability to create custom routes, track your progress, and connect with other cyclists. However, they may have different pricing models and user interfaces, so it’s worth exploring each app to see which one works best for you.

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