Cycling is one of the easier activities to log accurately because the distances are larger and the GPS track shows a clear record of the route without the ambiguity of a foot track in dense bush. Whether you are doing road cycling, trail riding, or bikepacking, keeping a record of your routes builds a useful reference library of what you have ridden and what it took to complete it.
What to Capture
- Route name or description
- Total distance and elevation gain
- Conditions: road type, trail surface, traffic
- Ride time and average speed
- Participants if riding with others
- Any route notes, difficult sections, good rest points
GPS Tracking for Cycling
The GPS tracking in the LogsKeptSimple app records your cycling route the same way it records a walking route. Start the tracking when you leave and stop it when you return. The track is recorded continuously and uploaded to your account when you are back in connectivity. For longer rides, make sure your phone has adequate battery and consider a phone mount to keep it accessible without stopping.
Why the Data Is Useful
A log of completed cycling routes is useful for planning new rides of similar character, training by comparing performance on the same route over time, and for program records if you are leading cycling activities for a youth group or club. The elevation profile from the GPS track gives you a better picture of the difficulty of a route than distance alone.
Logging Group Rides
For leaders running cycling programs, LogsKeptSimple lets you log the group ride with participant names, route, distance, and conditions. This creates a program record that can be used for reporting, accreditation, and participant progress tracking. Linking a risk assessment to the activity record completes the documentation for the session.
