What do you do with GPS data?

[KneesUp]

I have been experimenting with GPS on my phone now I've found an app that doesn't go to sleep with the screen.

So, from a short test ride the other day I know I went 3.99km, was at a low point of 72m above sea level and a high of 125m, and I gained 42metres (assume there must be rounding) and lost 73metres. I know I didn't go very fast on average, and what my maximum speed was.

I also know exactly where I went, although I knew that anyway because I was there.

I want to love the technology, but how do you use your data? Do you just compare average speeds, or keep spreadsheets that plot some sort of metric that takes into account the ride length, ascent and average speed to measure how much fitter you are getting, or what?

I can export the data to Strava or similar, but don't really have much inclination to do so.

 

[Bobby Mhor]

I use mine to keep a total of mileage/kilometres covered...
Its interesting to see what you've done....

 

[4F]

One word, Strava.

 

[numbnuts]

One word spreadsheets

 

[Dave 123]

Mine is uploaded to garmin connect, map my ride and strava.
One of my brothers is also on all 3, as he follows other family members who upload to one, but not all of the 3.....but another brother is just on map my ride.

It's interesting to see what they're up to.

I also like to bore Mrs Dave... "Look, look at this...."

 

[ColinJ]

I mainly use my GPS to get me where I am going to, not to tell me where I have been! The rest of the time, it is just a clock and a glorified bike computer.

 

[KneesUp]

Strava et al just don't appeal. I don't really 'get' why anyone else would be interested in my rides, and I'm not entirely comfortable with handing over data about where I live, where I work and where I go in-between times to a company that presumably sells that information to make a profit.

The app that works doesn't do routing, although I think I can probably find one that does (I'm using a Blackberry, but Andorid apps work in the main) and in addition my phone isn't waterproof.

I guess I could make a spreadsheet ...

 

[Bobby Mhor]

Strava et al just don't appeal. I don't really 'get' why anyone else would be interested in my rides, and I'm not entirely comfortable with handing over data about where I live, where I work and where I go in-between times to a company that presumably sells that information to make a profit.

The app that works doesn't do routing, although I think I can probably find one that does (I'm using a Blackberry, but Andorid apps work in the main) and in addition my phone isn't waterproof.

I guess I could make a spreadsheet ...

Think of any of the apps used as a back up?
Upload to a couple just in case your spreadsheet crashes, corrupts, you have a hard disc crash or whatever..
Choose those who let you download your GPX information....
I'm on a few and TBH I mostly don't care about other peoples rides...
but I have 'friends' on one so I know whos out and about...
plus I get the odd GPX track to put in my Etrex (just in case)...

 

[Dogtrousers]

Upload to ridewithgps along with a few photos, as a pointless reminder.

 

[Specialeyes]

If you don't like the idea of Strava, try Endomondo - it also has a free version and you can track multi sports and not feel obliged to compete or compare with anyone but yourself

 

[drummerbod]

Not tried any others but Runkeeper works for me.

 

[dr snuggles]

I put some but not all of my weekend rides on strava. Purely for the sake of reviewing them when I feel like it.

 

[Piemaster]

Strava et al just don't appeal. I don't really 'get' why anyone else would be interested in my rides, and I'm not entirely comfortable with handing over data about where I live, where I work and where I go in-between times to a company that presumably sells that information to make a profit.

I've used Endomondo for a fair bit but trying Strava at the moment as well as Garmin connect since I bought a Forerunner15. Quite like the Strava interface but don't like that it costs money to export GPS files. Endomondo is free. They both overlay the gps data onto a map which I find handy for looking at alternative routes for abit of variety or to extend/shorten depending on what I feel like.

You can alter the privacy settings of the sites and I always start tracking rides a bit away to make it harder to identify the house.
One of my neighbours has been complaining his shed keeps getting broken into though.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I only use GPS on a bike for navigation. Data gets deleted as soon as I get home 99% of the time.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Dunno if other sites have this but ridewithgps has a "friends only" option so your rides aren't visible to every Tim Dick and Harry, just your friends.

I use this but I should also add that I don't actually have any friends!