A - I haven't seen an iPhone app where you can import a route then get turn-by-turn directions along with GPS tracking/timing that can then be uploaded to strava, runkeeper, etc. I'm assuming there aren't any apps that do this.

That being the case, is it possible to run a cyclometer/strava/runkeeper type of app AND simultaneously run a Garmin/TomTom type of app that gives turn-by-turn at the same time? The Garmin/TomTom type of app would have to be capable of importing a route rather than deciding for itself what roads to take.

The reason I'm asking is that sometimes I plan routes that are just complicated enough to be able to remember all my turns - yet I also love have Cyclometer running so that I get full "credit" for all my biking - these numbers are important to my motivation.

Looks like I can run two such apps simultaneously. But now I'm having a harder time than I'd have thought finding an iPhone turn-by-turn app that allows you to provide a custom route. All the navigation apps seems to want you to give them point A and point B and they'll decide how to get you there.

https://certain.cc/2010/08/custom-routes-navigon-iphone/

I've tried this, but it doesn't work very well. You get "you have reached your destination" for every waypoint.

Just a thought--maybe a designated GPS is in order here. Attaching an iPhone to a bike seems a great way to get it stolen/broken/damaged/rained on/etc. and they are expensive buggers.

My Garmin 705 sometimes fails on turn-by-turn directions. So now I use Courses, which don't give me a warning before the turn. The course is shown as a purple line on the map. My position on the map is updated continuously, so I can see when the next turn is getting close. I don't need warnings ahead of the turn if I keep the map on display.

Can you upload a route to display on your iphone?

For example:

Courses can provide turn by turn directions but they must be manually added to the file. Some of the websites that create courses will add them for you however I find that using Garmin Training Center allows me to put in the ones I want and exactly where I want them.

Another major drawback of using an iPhone to do all of this is battery life. I am guessing if you keep the screen on the entire ride you may get at most two hours before the battery dies. With it off up to four hours.

Yeah, I've seen (and have) a couple of apps that can display a route but if I'm not sure how far ahead a turn is (hundreds of few or a few miles) it's so annoying to keep glancing down at the map. I want audio directions!

I just spent another hour this morning trying to find a GPS app for the iphone with turn-by-turn directions based on a custom route that I generate. I can't find any!

EDIT: Oops, hadn't seen that last post. Let me look into that... Is Courses an iPhone app? I don't see it... I wouldn't mind hand-adding directions in advance if there's an iphone app that can use the resulting file. Battery life isn't an issue if I'm getting audio turn-by-turn because with the display off I get 6 hours. I also have a small supplemental battery that'll plug in and give me more time.

Did you look at the link I posted? The Navigon app lets you upload routes.

Courses are a type of file. They have an extension of TCX or CRS.

@bobones, I should have mentioned that yes, I did read the article. I don't want my iPhone jailbroken though. I have the know-how (I jailbroke my 3G) but I want to leave my iPhone 4 factory intact.

Consider to check new iPhone app: Cyclist PRO - it supports RunKeeper