The massive popularity of Strava has changed the way many of us analyze data from our trail rides and has even changed how some people ride their mountain bikes. What some people don’t seem to realize, however, is that the data you collect via your Strava app can be used for much more than just proving that you’re actually the fastest rider to the top of the hill.
Mountain Bike Trail Maps
While Strava is a great way to track your personal data and compare yourself with others, it’s not a great app for finding trails to ride. Sure, there’s the “explore” feature, but that puts segments of all kinds on the map, including both pavement and dirt segments. The biggest problem is that the majority of segments are for just a single climb or single descent. Very rarely are there actual segments for an entire trail or trail system.
That’s fine with us, because as you’re probably aware Singletracks.com is the best place to go to find information about mountain bike trails near you, and we boast the biggest mountain bike trail map database in the world with well over 20,000 miles of mapped singletrack.
No, the maps themselves aren’t free… it takes a lot of work to create and curate all of these maps. However, if you’re a Strava user, you can easily take your Strava data and earn a free Singletracks.com Lifetime Pro Membership.
How to Export .GPX Files from Strava
To turn your Strava data into mountain bike trail maps, you need to first export your data as a .GPX file. To do this, click on over to Strava, and go to the ride that you want to turn into a trail map.
Click on “View Details” to pull up the complete page for that specific ride.
Next, click on the down arrow next to the “Actions” button.
Then, select “Export GPX” from the drop down list.
Then click the button verifying that you want to save the file to your computer.
How To Upload .GPX Files to Singletracks
Now all that’s left is to upload the GPX file to Singletracks.com. First, find the trail listing for the trail that you rode (in this example, that’s Pandapas Pond).
Second, scroll down a little ways and click the “Submit GPS Data” button on the right hand side of the page.
Now, click the “Upload GPS data file” button, click “Browse” to find the file that you downloaded from the Strava website earlier, add a title, and then click “Preview.”
If everything looks good, click the “Great – save it!” link, and then we’ll take care of everything from there!
Conclusion
With just three new map uploads or map updates, you can quickly earn a free Pro Subscription and access to thousands of mountain bike trail maps! But if you have a Lewis and Clark complex and just love to explore, don’t stop there… keep uploading your maps whenever you ride a new trail so that together we can build the best source of mountain bike trail information possible!
Your Turn: What are you waiting for? Start uploading your Strava data now!
I love the line about the Lewis and Clark complex… that’s totally me!
Plus 1. Totally think im an explorer. Eaven when I’m following a map from the net.
Thanks guys! Wish I could say I came up with the phrase, but I had a friend several years ago say that I had a “Lewis and Clark complex,” and I was like, “Why yes, yes I do!”
Does the upload have to be of a trail that has not been explored yet? Or can it be of anything?
Just wondering because I have tons of different places that I have logged on Strava that I would love to upload to you guys!
It can be any trail. Look for trails near you that are already posted here, but lack a topo map. Go out, ride trails, log singletrack and upload to the website and win. That is how I did it. There were TONS of trails around me that didn’t (and there still are some) have data here, but were already listed. So, I spent weekends out riding and logging and uploading data to Singletracks.com.
I’ve posted some trails to Singletracks that I’ve found on other sites and then uploaded the GPX data after.
If it can pass as singletrack, post it up here.
What he said. Also, some trails that have GPS maps aren’t complete and need to be updated or added to… those work too!
I have wondered and wondered if you guys could use my Strava info. Good to know that you can and I almost messaged you this morning and asked after reading the thread about Strava and how it effects the ride and specific riders on the trail. I guess the attitide that comes with trying for KOM can be a buzz kill. My fiance’ for example is QOM on everything in our area. Two factors contribute to this, one being she is a very strong female rider that isnt afraid of a little air so she doesnt slow down over the jumps and things of that nature. Another being that there aren’t many female riders in our area (East Texas) and the girls that do ride would prolly never even think about tracking thier times or care to. rant rant rant, ramble one etc….
To the point of this article though. Thanks! I have months of data on singletrack in my area that i would love to share. I appreciate the step by step instructions and will be happy to contribute these upcoming weeks. Excited about the pro membership as well.
I dont get in the mix much with comments/post like i should but i do appreciate the information that Ive had at the tips of my fingertips to pursue my passion.
I have hundreds and hundreds of trail pics in my area as well that i will upload to the specific system that its on. ill be sure to contribute to reviews as well.
Im about to step up my singletrack.com game sir. And im going to start by purchasing 2 shirts that i saw on the feed. (the 2 for $20)
Thanks Gregg and company!
Comment WIN of the day. Looking forward to checking out all of your GPS maps and photos!
And it’s my pleasure to help out!
Look through some of the other posts on gps stuff, and download gpx editor and topofusion programs to work up segments into a good trail map and clean up spurious data.
Thanks!!
This is going to make my local trails a lot more fun to ride seeing as I finally have a reason to explore every nook and cranny lol.
No problem!!
For uploading purposes, if I rode a trail multiple times in a ride is there a way for me to clean that up on my end (so there aren’t 3 tracks on the same trail) or is that something you do on your end?
It would be great if you could clean it up but we know that can be a complicated process. That’s one of the reasons we “moderate” GPS data before posting the maps.
What Jeff said. But basically, if you don’t know how to clean it up, we can help do that for you… so don’t let that keep you from submitting a trail map.
For fixing GPX files, graphically, check out GPX Editor.
http://sourceforge.net/projects/gpxeditor/
It’s especially useful for things like forgetting to turn off tracking before you drive home.
Just saw this on the Strava blog (posted today): http://blog.strava.com/new-premium-feature-gpx-download-functionality-5426/ Premium members can now download GPX “routes” to their Garmin devices. Not quite sure how easy it is to find routes or how many MTB “routes,” so I still think our GPS maps are the way to go 😉
Interesting. I noticed when looking at others’ rides on Strava that the GPX Export option wasn’t available (only for my own rides). So maybe that’s what they’re enabling for premium members?
I was just trying to figure that out too… from the article, that’s what it sounds like.
I was about to comment on that. Strava’s latest feed is that the GPX download is a premium feature. Kinda sucks for those of us who (haven’t yet) paid for the premium part. I’m waiting on a heart rate monitor (come on, Christmas!) before that happens.
Everyone else, take a look in the forums for other GPX logging apps available out there. MyTracks is one where you can ride, save the data as GPX and then upload to both Starva AND Singletracks. I’ve found it to be a bit more accurate, too. But the Strava app may have updated and changed that.
Either way, there are options for submitting your data. It might mean a bit more on the head end (not just log, and submit), but it isn’t that tough.
Check this out for a great Smartphone MTB GPS App: http://www.singletracks.com/blog/gps/mountain-bike-pro-cycling-computer-app-powered-by-runtastic/
Actually, upon rereading the post, it sounds like premium members can download OTHER people’s tracks and things to GPX. You should be able to download YOUR data at any point in time.
Yes, exactly. The blog post that I just published is about downloading your own data… the recent link to the blog from Strava was just an aside. Sorry if I complicated things too much
You didn’t, I probably did. All clear on my end now. Heh.
Haha cool
Yup. Just tried to download my run from last night and it let me. But I couldn’t grab the route someone I’m watching did the other day.
Have at your data, Singletrack’ers!
I’ve tried logging gpx files from a ride I did last week. I followed your instructions, but in addition to the file being .gpx, it’s also .xml
So it reads “filename.gpx.xml” after downloading it from strava onto my macbook.
Any suggestions??
Thanks.
Nevermind. Ha.
Problem solved; trail uploaded.
Well I just uploaded about a dozen different trails, hopefully I can be of some help to the database!!
That’s awesome! Can’t wait to check them out!