A question posed to me on another thread, got me thinking of posting a review on the 4 apps I use to create routes, each with their own pros and cons. Below is a summarised look at these apps, including some screenshots and explanation of where to find relevant information about your ride. Garmin ConnectStravaKomootRideWithGPSThere may be others, but these are my go to apps to get the information I need. Mobile/Desktop All 4 apps offer desktop and mobile apps, and allow planning of routes using the app. Garmin ConnectSyncs from both desktop and mobile - allowing on the go route planning. Assuming the head unit connects to the mobile app, eg. older units requiring a cable to sync, will only work on the desktop;Two-step process for each waypoint placement. press the navigation icon, then move icon into position and press the point for waypoint to be placed;Can reverse direction - I like this on a circular route, as it might be better to have climbing early on rather than in the second half. Once complete, it's easier to reverse the route than to try rebuild it;Can search for existing routes in your area, based on distance and course type or elevation gain;Allow placement of course markers, eg. summit, decent, food stop, water, danger, etc. It then displays these on your head unit just before you reach the waypoint;Can add the route to a calendar event;Allow users to enter a pace or ride/run time and will calculate the average speed or course time;No subscription required.StravaAvailable to Subscribers only - currently R599.00 for a year subscription (when paid annually);No syncing with devices, but exporting a GPX/TCX is possible on desktop version only;Two-step process for each waypoint placement. Press over the pencil icon, then zoom to the next point and press the point to place the waypoint;Unable to import an existing route - unless I don't know where to look.Can link the route to a club event;Course time is based on average ride speed, and not possible to change it;Desktop version allows for Veloviewer Explorer (see my post for StatsHunters.com and RideEveryTile to understand this feature). This shows the tiles that you've been on and those that you haven't. Makes for easier route optimisation if this is something that interests you... riding in new areas you haven't been to before.KomootPairs with a Lezyne GPS using both desktop (GPSroot) or the mobile (Ally v2) app. Route;Give the most comprehensive summary data after the route is created, and allowing selecting sections of the route to reveal the road surface, grade, start elevation, end elevation, weather forecast for the next three days, the route map, distance markers.Can share the ride with others via email or social media, and they can accept - giving you an idea of who will be attending;Can import from an existing GPX file (.gpx, .tcx, .fit);Reverse route option available;Course time is based on 5 settings, namely couch potato, average, in good shape, athletic and pro. Manual mode available - just click on the "turn off follow ways" button;Offline maps available, for use on the mobile app, as well as on the Lezyne GPS units;Option to report problems on the mapping, to help the developers improve it. I have never used it, so can't comment if it works.RideWithGPSRequires a subscription to use the advanced features, which includes sending to a device;Exporting the route to TCX from desktop version;Capable of showing multi-day rides on one route using different colours;One-click route planning - just click on the selected road and it will auto-route to that point. Drag and drop to re-route on a preferred road if the auto-selection is not acceptable;Reverse route option available;Driving, Cycling or Walking options, with "avoid highway" option. However, the cycling route hardly works for me, so I use driving only;Manual mode for when tracking off road, or through a boomed-off area;Screenshots - Desktop Garmin Connect Strava Komoot RideWithGPS Note: Images to be uploaded from Tapatalk, to keep the file size as low as possible.
