Cycling has become an increasingly popular option for commuting and exercising. As recently as 2021, nearly 51.5 million Americans said they ride bicycles. That’s about 9 million more than in 2010.
Whether you bike to avoid commuter traffic or for its health benefits, GPS trackers can take your ride to the next level. With the right GPS devices, you can track your cycling routes, find new places to explore, and improve your safety no matter where you go.
The Health Benefits Of Cycling
Studies show that cycling offers numerous health benefits. Some of those benefits include:
- Lower risk of cardiovascular disease and related symptoms, including high cholesterol and high blood pressure.
- Healthy body weight from burning calories during periods of aerobic exercise.
- Improved mental health, including better mood and sleep.
Cycling also creates opportunities to socialize with like-minded people. Many communities have official and unofficial cycling clubs. You can find one in your area by searching exercise-focused social media platforms like Strava.
Adding a social component to exercise can encourage regular participation. While you might not feel like getting on your bike one morning, you probably do feel like seeing your friends. The desire to socialize can lead to more exercise.
Socializing also increases the mental health benefits of cycling. For an even bigger mood boost, gather some friends and explore nature trails. Spending time in nature helps lower stress, improve cognition, and even curb the symptoms of some mental health issues like depression and mood disorders.
Track Your Routes And Revisit Your Favorites
If you like to ride on paved roads, you’ll inevitably find that you enjoy some routes more than others. Maybe a road with a lot of vehicular traffic makes you feel uneasy. You have good reasons to feel that way. More than 130,000 cyclists get injured on American roads every year.
With a GPS tracker, you can keep a record of the paths you take and highlight the ones you prefer. LandAirSea’s innovative vehicle traffic devices let you access all of your historical data through the SilverCloud app. You can even note specific locations that you want to avoid and visit during your ride. For example, you might want to remind yourself of a pothole to avoid or a water fountain where you can quench your thirst.
Historical data makes it easy for you to review all of the routes you’ve tried. From there, you can decide whether you want to keep using them or avoid them forever.
Share Your Favorite Trails With Friends
Many people love cycling on nature trails. It’s a great workout, and you don’t need to spend hours hiking to your favorite destinations.
Unfortunately, some trails don’t allow cycling. A website like AllTrails can help you find bike-friendly trails, but it doesn’t always provide accurate information. That could mean you reach a trail, see a “no bikes” sign, and have to go elsewhere. If nothing else, it’s a disappointing part of the day.
GPS devices let you and your friends share your favorite cycling trails with each other. If you have a reliable network of cycling pals, you can avoid barred trails and discover some of the most beautiful areas in your region.
Stay Safe While Riding
Cyclists can use GPS trackers in many of the ways hikers use them. Before you set out on an adventure, give someone you trust access to your GPS account. If you don’t come home by the end of the day, your friend can look at your progress to see whether you stalled somewhere. That will make it much easier for a medical team to find you when you get injured off the beaten track.
Sharing your GPS information also helps you stay safe during multi-day backpacking excursions. Agree to call your loved one when you reach a milestone, such as a town or campsite. If you don’t call as scheduled, the friend can try reaching out to you to make sure you’re okay. If they can’t reach you, they can contact authorities for help.
With the right GPS tracker and app, you can feel free to explore more parts of the world and take longer cycling trips without feeling unsafe.
Never Lose Your Bike Again
High-quality bikes can easily cost over $1,000. Even mid-range road bikes cost about $500. Like other recreational vehicles, bikes are vehicles you want to protect.
A GPS tracker keeps your bike safe in two ways. First, location tracking makes it harder for a thief to steal your bike. If your bike goes missing, you can give the location to the police to significantly improve the chance of retrieving your property. Second, location tracking makes it easier to find your bike when you walk away from it. Say you leave your bike on a trail so you can hike deeper into the woods to see a waterfall. Getting back to that precise location is often easier said than done. Your GPS tracker will lead you right back to your bike so you can continue your journey.
Which GPS Trackers Should Cycling Enthusiasts Choose?
LAS makes two GPS trackers many cycling enthusiasts will find helpful.
LAS 54
The LAS 54 has a compact design with a strong internal magnet that can attach to most metals. If you don’t feel comfortable relying on a magnet while riding bumpy roads and trails, you can secure the device with an included mount. Alternatively, you can put the LAS 54 in a bag attached to your bike. That’s an especially helpful option for commuters who carry laptops, books, groceries, and other items while they ride.
Importantly, the LAS 54 has a waterproof, dustproof exterior. You can cross streams, ride in the rain, or venture through arid regions without damaging your GPS tracker.
The LAS 54 uses the ShareSpot app feature, so you can easily share your location with friends, family members, and other trusted individuals.
LAS Overdrive
The LAS Overdrive is similar to the 54. It also has a dustproof, waterproof design and lets you share your location via ShareSpot.
The Overdrive is a little larger than the 54, but it shouldn’t get in the way while cycling. Just attach it to your bike in a place that won’t interfere with your movements.
A bigger battery gives the Overdrive an advantage over the 54. If you plan to take a long trip – or you simply don’t want to think about recharging your GPS tracker very often – you might prefer the Overdrive.
Keep in mind that the SilverCloud app will send you a low-battery alert when power runs low on the 54 and Overdrive.
Find The Right GPS Tracker For Your Cycling Preferences
The GPS tracker that works for you likely depends on several factors, such as where you want to go and how often you like to ride your bike. If you have a hard time deciding between the LAS 54 and Overdrive, feel free to contact [email protected].
We’re eager to talk to cyclists about their unique needs and concerns. And we’re confident we can help you choose the right tracker, just like we’ve helped people who love snowmobiling, boating, and traveling in RVs.