Track Biking app with no sign up?

[Red_Fish]

I have just gotten a Charge HR so I am not too familiar with it. I have read here that you need a 3rd party app on the phone to track mountain biking using GPS. I have looked at a few and all of the them seem to require a registration and frankly I am not too keen on getting ANOTHER log on for an app. Any suggestsion on a good way to track this that doesn't require me signing up for my internet things?

[Heybales]

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@Red_Fish wrote:

I have just gotten a Charge HR so I am not too familiar with it. I have read here that you need a 3rd party app on the phone to track mountain biking using GPS. I have looked at a few and all of the them seem to require a registration and frankly I am not too keen on getting ANOTHER log on for an app. Any suggestsion on a good way to track this that doesn't require me signing up for my internet things?

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There is an app called HandyGPS - mimics the GPS units of years ago, just creates a route or breadcrumb when you start/end it.

When finished you can email the resulting .gpx file to yourself, or see it on the device as far as distance and time for manual logging.

The .gpx track could then be uploaded in to the computer program called SportTracks for visual on a Google map.

Ya, lots of work, but if you don't want to sign up - you got limitations.

[Red_Fish]

Ok thanks I will check that one out. I just hate making new accounts for everything.  If you manually enter in an activity it will overwrite what the tracker has collected for that time period?  Or does it add in addition. Not sure if I should take my tracker off when I bike. Since the charge HR has the heart rate monitor, will that track the calories accurately enough or would you need to manually enter the biking in?  Not really sure what the whole "activity mode" is. 

[Heybales]

Calories is indeed overwritten by whatever you provide, or if you give distance and time, what Fitbit calculates from the database.

You can leave it on.

The HR Fitbit's will do great with no additional translating. But, to start using per sec HR info to base it on, you need to create an activity record with the button.

Activity mode may be referencing the fact on the Surge you can start your workout saying what type it is. Not sure if it changes the formula for HR calculated calories, or merely labels the activity for easier review later.

[Ralf]

I got the runtastic MountainBike app (initially the free ad-supported version), While Runtastic of course asks for signing up it is not required to use the app. Only when i decided to pay for the full and ad-free version i signed up to save (upload) my tours before finally switching to the pro version. That's on iOS, not sure if they offer the same on Android.

[Red_Fish]

Thanks I will check that one out. So far I am liking the Charge HR.  the HR did a decent job of "tracking" my yardwork. Gave me some credit for moving a whole ton of dirt. Wasn't sure how I would ever manually enter that lol 

[HaphazardHen]

I use Strava. You have to sign up but it is really nice to see how you improve. If you ride the same trails regularly it will tell you how you did compared to last time. If you are like me you are always tired and feeling slow. With this app you can see you are actually getting faster! It helps me stay motivated since I am slower than all my friends. (Usually the only girl on the rides and the boys are so fast they can lap me)

[lee_w]

Another Strava user here. Have to say, its my favourite ride tracking app (good for running too).