Group ride coordination apps have gotten overwhelming with new options constantly launching. As someone who organizes weekly club rides and has tested most platforms, I learned everything there is to know about what actually works. Today, I will share it all with you.
That’s what makes honest app comparison endearing to us ride organizers — the right tools keep groups together while the wrong ones leave people stranded.
Finding Rides
Probably should have led with this section, honestly — you need to find a group before coordinating one.
Strava Local: The Local tab shows scheduled group rides nearby. RSVP, see who’s joining, get route details before showing up. Best for established club rides.
Meetup: Many cycling groups organize here, especially beginner-friendly rides. Handles RSVPs and recurring events well. Less structured than Strava but broader reach.
Facebook Groups: Still works for informal meetups. Comment-based format lacks structure but reaches everyone.
Route Sharing
But what about getting everyone on the same route? In essence, Ride with GPS leads here.
Create a route, share via link, everyone downloads to their device. The leader’s live location broadcasts to followers. Turn-by-turn keeps the group on track. Group Events feature manages RSVPs and logistics in one place.
I’m apparently in the camp that pre-loads routes to everyone’s device before the ride starts. Frustrated by mid-ride “which way?” chaos, I send route files the night before.
Live Tracking
Garmin LiveTrack: Share your position with non-riding family or scattered group members. Viewers see your location on a web map without needing Garmin hardware.
WhatsApp Live Location: Group chats with location enabled show everyone’s position. Battery-intensive but universally compatible.
Wahoo Live Track: Similar concept, automatic activation with Wahoo devices.
In-Ride Communication
Sena and Cardo intercoms: Helmet-mounted Bluetooth communicators. Talk hands-free with riders in your group. Sena Pi runs about $130 with 800m range. Cardo Packtalk connects up to 15 riders for $400+.
Single earbud approach: Phone calls while riding with one ear open to traffic. Works but safety concerns exist.
Safety Features
Most modern devices detect crashes and alert emergency contacts. Garmin, Wahoo, Apple Watch — all offer this now. Varia radar information can broadcast to other Garmin users, warning the whole group of approaching cars.
Making the Call
Match tools to your group’s needs. Casual weekend rides? Strava Local and WhatsApp work fine. Organized club rides? Ride with GPS for route sharing, intercoms for communication. Remote adventures? Satellite messengers like Garmin inReach. Start simple, add tools as you identify actual problems. Most groups overcomplicate this.
