I think adding the option to view a route’s elevation profile while recording an activity would be a useful addition to Strava. I frequently follow routes created using Strava’s Route Builder website, which provides detailed information on elevation. However, once I load this route onto my phone and begin recording an activity I am unable to see how much elevation gain or loss is ahead. It would be helpful to see how much longer a climb will be or how many more climbs are left on a route, and would allow me to make better decisions about where to take breaks or gauge how much longer a ride will be.
The feature could work like this:
When toggled off (mockup 1), the map on the record screen would look as it currently does – the route is indicated in orange, the recorded path drawn in blue. The only difference is the addition of an elevation toggle button on the bottom left corner of the screen.
When toggled on (mockup 2), the elevation profile for the current route is revealed. A slider bar can be moved sideways along the elevation profile to display the height and distance for any point along the route. On the map, a gray dot would follow this movement showing the location of that point.
For activities recorded without a route, the button to toggle the elevation profile would be unavailable, since there would be no pre-defined route/elevation data for Strava to display.
While elevation profiles are not a new feature for Strava, they are currently only available via the the Route Builder website or the Saved Routes tab in the mobile app. This means to access the elevation profile while riding, I need to stop and navigate backwards through the app. Even here, the elevation profile is static and only of limited use.
I think adding elevation information directly on the record screen would be a convenient way to access important information about my rides.
I hope others find this suggestion useful.
Thank you to the Strava team for all your great work.
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