If you're the proud owner of a long range ebike, you're probably excited about hitting the road, trail, or perhaps even that daunting hill you've always wanted to conquer. But let’s face it—data matters.
Whether you want to track your performance, find the best routes, or just show off your progress, Strava is the place to be. What makes Strava even more exciting for e-bike riders is its ability to filter and track specific e-bike segments.
This feature ensures you're riding with a community of like-minded riders while getting insights tailored to your e-bike’s capabilities. But how exactly do you make the most of this tool? Let’s dive into the details of finding and using e-bike segments on Strava.
What are E-Bike Segments on Strava?
But before you start cruising, let’s talk about e-bike segments on Strava. These are specific sections of roads, trails, or paths within Strava's platform, specially marked for electric bike riders.
While Strava primarily caters to cyclists and runners, they haven’t left out the e-bikers.
After all, we need to track those high-speed descents too! An e-bike segment is simply a slice of any given route where Strava users can compare their times, specifically for electric bike rides.
And yes, Strava distinguishes e-bikes from traditional bikes, because let’s face it—there’s a bit of a difference when you're climbing hills with a motor.
Why Should You Look for E-Bike Segments on Strava?
Now, you might wonder—why bother looking for e-bike segments at all? Well, as someone riding a long-range e-bike, there are several compelling reasons to keep an eye on these.
Accurate Tracking: E-bike segments ensure that your ride performance is compared only with other e-bike riders. This prevents unfair comparisons with traditional cyclists who might take longer on the same route.
Discover Popular Routes: By searching for e-bike segments, you can uncover the most popular and challenging routes for e-bikers in your area. Whether you’re commuting or on a weekend adventure, these segments can help you make the most of your long-range e-bike’s battery.
Community and Competition: E-bike segments allow you to engage with other e-bike riders. If you’re the competitive type, you can see how your performance stacks up against fellow riders on similar machines.
Track Battery Efficiency: For those with a long-range e-bike, these segments can help you understand how well your bike performs over varied terrain. Want to test how much ground you can cover before your battery conks out? E-bike segments are a great way to measure that.
How to Find E-Bike Segments on Strava?
Alright, now the part you’ve been waiting for: how exactly do you find these e-bike segments on Strava?
Open the Strava App: Simple enough. Make sure your app is updated so you can access the latest features.
Navigate to the Explore Tab: This is where Strava keeps all the good stuff. Click on the ‘Explore’ option from the bottom menu.
Use the Filter Function: Strava allows you to filter segments by activity type. Select ‘E-Bike’ to narrow down your search to segments specific to electric bike rides.
Search by Location or Popularity: You can either search for specific e-bike segments by typing in a location (for instance, if you're planning a ride with your long-range e-bike in a new city), or you can check out popular segments nearby. The more riders that take on a segment, the more data and rankings you’ll see.
Review the Segment: Once you find a segment that interests you, click on it. Strava will provide details like distance, elevation, and the leaderboard. Want to dominate that leaderboard? Time to start pedaling (or throttling) your way to the top!
How to Filter E-Bike Segment Leaderboards and Join E-Bike Communities
You probably want to see how you measure up against other riders. Strava makes it simple to filter and view leaderboards for e-bike segments.
When you find an e-bike segment, click on it, and you'll see a leaderboard showing the top times for that route. This leaderboard only includes e-bike riders, so you won't be compared to traditional cyclists. Your performance is measured against riders with similar gear, providing a fair comparison.
Beyond leaderboards, Strava offers a thriving e-bike community. You can join e-bike-specific clubs, where you’ll connect with fellow electric bike riders. These clubs allow members to share tips, routes, and even organize group rides.
These clubs are an excellent place to exchange advice on optimizing battery life, finding scenic routes, and learning about the best rides in your area. It's a great way to socialize and make the most of your Strava experience.
How to Create or Mark Your Own E-Bike Segment
Discovering new routes on your long-range e-bike is exciting, but what if you can’t find them listed as e-bike segments on Strava? Luckily, you can create your own e-bike segment.
First, record your ride using Strava’s GPS function. After finishing the ride, save the activity. To create a segment, you’ll need to use the Strava web app on your computer (this feature is not available on mobile).
Once on the web app, use the map tool to highlight the portion of your ride that you want to convert into an e-bike segment. Don’t forget to label it as an e-bike segment so it appears in the right category for other electric bike riders to discover.
Creating segments contributes to the e-bike community by helping other riders explore exciting new routes. You’re also making the Strava e-bike network more comprehensive, so future riders can benefit from your discoveries.
How to Use E-Bike Segments to Enhance Your Long-Range E-Bike Experience
E-bike segments on Strava can do more than just provide a leaderboard for friendly competition—they can enhance your overall riding experience, especially if you're using a long-range e-bike.
One major advantage of e-bike segments is their ability to help with battery optimization. By riding different e-bike segments, you can learn which routes are the most battery-efficient. For example, smoother terrain or routes with fewer hills can extend your battery life, allowing you to cover more ground on a single charge.
Strava's e-bike segments are also a great tool for setting personal performance goals. Whether you’re trying to improve your commute time or aiming to ride faster on your weekend routes, Strava helps you track your progress.
Since you’re being compared only with other e-bike riders, your improvements are measured in a way that makes sense for electric-assisted riding.
Finally, e-bike segments encourage exploration. With a long-range e-bike, you can ride longer distances without worrying about running out of battery. Strava’s segments allow you to explore new routes confidently. You can push your limits and discover new terrain without the stress of unplanned stops.
E-bike segments offer a fantastic way to maximize both the fun and efficiency of your rides, giving you the tools to get the most out of your long-range e-bike.
Conclusion
Riding a long-range e-bike opens up new horizons, and Strava’s e-bike segments are the perfect tool to help you get the most out of every ride.
From tracking your performance to discovering efficient routes and even connecting with other e-bike riders, these segments offer everything you need to elevate your riding experience.
Whether you're improving your times, engaging with the e-bike community, or just exploring new terrain, Strava provides the insights and data to help you ride smarter and further. So, gear up, find those segments, and let Strava guide your next e-bike adventure!
FAQs
What category is an electric bike?
On Strava, electric bikes fall under the E-Bike Ride category, allowing for separate tracking and comparison from traditional bike rides.
How do I record an e-bike ride on Strava?
To record an e-bike ride, open the Strava app, select the activity type as E-Bike Ride, and start recording your ride as you normally would.
How do I choose a bike on Strava?
You can select or add a bike by going to your profile, navigating to the gear section, and choosing the specific bike you want to associate with your activity.
