8 Strava features everyone should know about

Strava has enjoyed a meteoric rise over the last decade. From its humble beginnings, the app has now amassed over 100 million users and it often feels like every cyclist uses it. Those who don’t will often find themselves on the end of the oft-said ‘if it isn’t on Strava, it didn’t happen’ refrain.

Despite its popularity, there are many features on Strava that are sometimes overlooked or many cyclists simply aren’t aware of - but it’s time to set that record straight!

Here are eight features, both new and old, that every Strava user should know about.

• Read more: 808 Strava KOMs: A record-breaking season for Sepp Kuss

How loyal are you to Strava?

It’s hard to remember a time when Strava didn’t exist, but once upon a time the app boasted only a handful of users. That handful of people has since grown to over 100 million users worldwide and it’s possible to track exactly when you signed up in relation to all of those users.

Simply head over to the Strava web browser and click on your profile. A number will appear at the end of the URL and this indicates where you rank. In Manon Lloyd’s case, she was the 1,495,923rd person to sign up. Being one of the earliest adopters of the app comes with some serious bragging rights over any friends who were late-comers.

Strava messaging

© Strava

Strava recently added messaging to the app

Previously, users of Strava could only interact through comments on posts or by offering ‘kudos’. That all changed in Strava’s most recent update which introduced private messaging to the app.

Calls for a messaging feature have been made by users for years and Strava has now obliged, with users now able to chat directly to each other or in groups. There are limits and you can select who is able to message you, with a choice between those who follow you, people who you mutually follow, or you can block messaging completely.

There is lots more to come too according to Strava, with photos and other shareables set to be introduced into messaging in 2024.

• Read more: Messaging comes to Strava: Functionality launches for DMs and group chats

Compare efforts and KOM hunting

Once upon a time before Strava stumbled along, chasing KOMs wasn’t really a thing. The popular app changed all that with its segments feature.

These are small snippets of routes, like climbs, which Strava automatically records your time for. Your time then goes onto a leaderboard where you can compare efforts with the rest of the world or your friends. Simply click on an activity and then one of the segments to access the comparison tool and find out where you rank.

Be warned, though! You’ll soon find yourself working a little harder on rides to edge out your friends on local segments - trust us, it’s seriously fun and addictive.

Segment explorer

Before you can think about taking KOMs, or at least beating your friends’ fastest time, you’ll need to find segments.

This is easy through the segment explorer which is essentially a worldwide map with every segment on. When you zoom into a certain area, it’ll show a selection of segments, but you can refine your search by difficulty to find the really tough climbs or easier alternatives. When you click on a segment, it’ll display all of the times recorded so you have a benchmark to aim for.

• Read more: Strava Live Segments come to Apple Watch and smart glasses with ActiveLook app update

Create routes

© GCN

Use the explore feature to find new segments

Once you’ve found segments, it’s time to string them together into a route. This is possible through the route builder, one of the long-term features on the app.

You can either add in your start and finishing point and Strava will create a route for you, or you can completely plan your own bespoke route. There are lots of tools to help, including the heat map which shows you how many other Strava users have used a road before.

When planning the route, you can also choose between different maps and Strava has recently added a new feature which allows users to add photos to the map for specific locations. These will display as blue dots on the map and anyone can access them.

Relive rides with Strava Flyover

© Strava

The new Strava Flyover feature

If you’ve had a particularly epic ride that you want to relive, you can use the Flyover feature.

Released recently, this overlays your route on a map and you can follow the blue GPS dot, which represents the rider, as it tracks across the full route. The feature is the result of Strava’s recent acquisition of FATMAP, with the integration of new mapping technology.

It’s only currently available for Android devices but Strava says that it'll be rolled out to iOS soon.

• Read more: Strava launches new 'Flyover' feature for 3D post-ride video recap

Share your location with Strava beacon

While it’s not a new feature, Strava beacon is arguably one of the most important on the app. Once activated, you can share your live location with friends or family.

That’s really useful for safety but can also come in handy in other ways, like if you suffer a ride-ending mechanical and need picking up.

To use the feature, simply click the beacon button once you’ve started recording a ride and you’ll get an option to choose who you want to share the location with.

• Read more: Indoor training apps all cyclists should know about

Group challenges

Let’s be honest, we all enjoy getting one over our friends, whether it be beating their time on a segment or winning a sprint to a street sign. You can also satiate this competitive edge through group challenges.

Group challenges can include up to 24 users and allow you to set a goal that everyone will work towards. You can take motivation by tracking the progress of others and see who is leading, or share photos of your own progress too.

It’s a great way to motivate yourself and your friends.

Strava

Strava is an online app that allows users to track their activities and share them with others. It connects over 100 million athletes across a global online community.