“How do you find bike routes? Is there an app for finding cycling routes?”

Road cycling is all about the freedom of the open road, the thrill of speed, and the joy of exploration. But finding safe and enjoyable routes can be tricky, especially if you’re concerned about traffic or unfamiliar with an area. Here’s a guide to the best apps, websites, and sources of local knowledge that will help you find the perfect road cycling routes.

Strava

Strava is a go-to app for road cyclists. It allows you to explore popular routes by checking out the rides other cyclists have shared. The "Route Builder" feature lets you create your own routes based on distance, elevation, and road type, while the "Heatmap" shows you the most frequently ridden roads, helping you find popular and likely safer routes. You will have to be a paid Strava member to use some of these features.

Ride with GPS

Ride with GPS is another excellent resource for road cyclists. The platform offers a vast library of user-created routes that you can search by location, distance, and elevation. Each route includes detailed turn-by-turn directions and elevation profiles, making it easy to plan your ride. The app also provides navigation features, so you can follow your chosen route without getting lost. Even for someone (me) who doesn’t mess with bike tech, getting a route onto my old Garmin was a breeze.

Local Bike Shops

Your local bike shop is the place to start when looking for road cycling routes. The staff can recommend safe, scenic roads and popular loops in the area. They might also know of local group rides or cycling events that you can join. Don’t hesitate to ask for advice on road conditions, traffic patterns, and the best times to ride.

Komoot

Komoot is an app that’s particularly well-suited for planning road cycling adventures. It allows you to create custom routes by selecting your starting point, destination, and preferences such as road type and surface quality. The app provides detailed maps, turn-by-turn navigation, and even estimates your ride’s difficulty based on your fitness level. You can also browse routes created by other users to find inspiration.

Neighborhood Facebook Groups

Most neighborhoods now have a Facebook group dedicated to community members talking, bitchin about HOA, reporting teenagers for being teenagers and finding missing dogs. However, most neighborhoods have more than one cyclist, so post a message like this: “I’m a cyclist and looking for others to ride with in the area.” Y

Local Cycling Clubs

Joining a local cycling club is one of the best ways to discover safe, enjoyable routes. Clubs often have established routes that members ride regularly, and they probably have group rides that you can join. Just Google “[your city name] cycling club” and see what pops up.

MapMyRide

MapMyRide is a user-friendly app that offers a large database of cycling routes, created by both casual and serious cyclists. You can search for routes based on your location, desired distance, and difficulty level. The app also provides real-time tracking and stats, so you can monitor your performance as you ride. MapMyRide is especially helpful for discovering new routes that other cyclists in your area enjoy. Strava probably has more serious cyclist users, so if you’re looking for more options for good long and/or hard training efforts, try Strava first.

Ask other cyclists. Duh.

This is obvious. See a cyclist, ask a cyclist. “Hey! Where you riding today? What’s your favorite loop around here?”

Local Government or Tourism Websites

Many cities and regions have dedicated cycling maps or route recommendations available through local government or tourism websites. These resources often highlight the safest and most scenic roads for cycling and may include information on bike lanes, cycling paths, and points of interest along the way. Checking these sites can help you discover official cycling routes that are well-maintained and cyclist-friendly, but keep in mind that local officials and city planners are not usually avid cyclists, so while they might think they’ve built bike heaven, your it may not match your needs.

Finding the right routes for road cycling or mountain biking requires a mix of technology, local knowledge, and community engagement. By using these recommended resources, you’ll be able to explore new areas with confidence, ensuring that every ride is safe, enjoyable, and suited to your skill level.

And once you have that route set and loaded into your computer, the only thing left to do is load up and head out, which is much easier when all your gear is in your Parc Bag. Check it out, and get out the door and onto your new route faster.