I have been using mapmyride but I have seen a lot of people post pictures of their other apps, just not sure what they are.

Is there a better app, or should I pick up a computer that will go on the bike? I'm new to cycling, so forgive the dumb questions!

Strava.

any reason why?

I have a Garmin 500. i've used both Garmin software and Strava software. I prefer the Garmin because the elevation is more accurate and you can 'plan a ride'. There is a setting where you can choose the map source, i think mine is set to Google. also, highlights bike trails and roads with bike lanes.

This works pretty well and the turn by turn "fit" file sent to your device is accurate (unlike the tcx/gpx from alternative mapping sites). The elevation is good but I have not found how to get a predicted elevation gain from planning the route. RidewithGPS does a reasonable job with predicted gain, although it almost always overstates the gain.

I don't know how to plan out a route in Strava. It always struck me as more of a social application.

I like Strava for tracking, and use it on all my rides. But for planning a ride, I find Google Maps the easiest to use before I leve the house, provided I don't need elevation gain. If I want elevation info then I use mapmyride.com to plan my route, but I still use Strava to track.

+1. It's great for tracking.
For planning, google maps or the "Where to Bike" apps for whatever city you're in.

Strava works better however, I also use MapMyRide as it has better ride planning tools as well as reports etc on their website.

Strava social aspects are well executed and fun.

Because it's a fad.

I use a Garmin GPS bike computer with maps. The batteries last much longer, it's waterproof (think rain) and it works when there's no cell reception.

To be quite frank, for me strava for tracking and Google maps with its newly released TURN BY TURN navigation is the best combo so far, the only thing lacking is the abilerty to desing ur own routes but I might give map my ride a go for that.

I have a Garmin 800 and upload to Strava as well as Golden Cheetah for data analysis. Ridewithgps works very well for route planning.

A very popular one for those who are competitive. If you just like to ride and smell the flowers there isn't much point.

Ride with GPS's map covers over 1/2 of the page- pretty easy to scroll thru the route.

Mapmyride's map maybe 15% of the page- more clutter, less info.

^^^

In ridewithgps, you can hide the control window on the right and the cue sheet window on the left (to have the map occupy more than 50% of the screen).

RWGPS is a great resource for ride planning and you can dump the route into your preferred garmin device.

I like strava for tracking my activities even though I don't have a prayer of ever being the king of the mountain for any real segment that goes up hill. It's fun and vaguely social.

Does anyone use Bikeroutetoaster or MapMyRide?

How do you avoid having "crooked" routes? Somehow the map takes a shortcut. The line goes diagonal instead of taking the real way on the road.

Garmin gets confused when this happens. It tells you you're going the wrong way when in theory you're not.

I use GPSIES to premap a ride for road or dirt and upload it to my Garmin 800. I like GPSIES because it uses different maps and you're not stuck with just Google or Bing.

Isn't that what fad means?

It isn't for people who are competitive; it's for people who like to compete with strangers on the internet instead of with actual people in the flesh next to them. It's competition for the anti-social.

Is no one following you on Strava? Haven't got any friends? No KOMs? Somebody piss in your cornflakes this morning? Or just a grumpy old guy?

I think Garmin connect is probably the easiest and the best, a close second would be ridewithgps.com

The only reason I can see to be on strava is if you like the social aspect....the KOMs and leaderboards and such.

GPS doesn't use cell reception...

Or for people who like to have fun and give kudos to their friends and family on Strava to encourage them to get out and ride more. You need to lighten up.

Can you upload from the 800 directly to Golden Cheetah?

You can import .fit files directly from the 800 into GC. I normally save them in a folder and load them into GC and Strava separately. It used to be possible to load into GC and then have GC send the file to Strava but Strava recently discontinued their 3rd party API so that link no longer works.