Google MyTracks Android Apps

While my MotoActv is struggling in the operations theater, I turned to my phone to see if there is any apps in the Play Store that allows me to track my bike sessions. Atrix is not a phone equipped with ANT+ feature, and both the HRM and Speed + Cadence are not Bluetooth sensors, therefore I can't pair them with the phone. As such I settled with only route tracking feature when searching for the desired apps.

There is quite a number of apps available, Endomondo, Sport Tracker, Run Keeper etc that can be the temporary alternative while waiting my MotoActv to return to action. Since I don't bother to sign up another training portal, I chose Google's MyTracks for route tracking. In addition, I was also looking for a reliable and accurate GPS software to contribute to MFM.

Head to Play Store to install MyTracks, or you can have an overview here and watch the intro video for a better understanding. Some snapshots of the apps...

You can also pair Polar and Zephyr Bluetooth sensors so that you get additional metrics. One thing cool about MyTracks 2.0 is the playback feature...

Looks cool huh? You need Google Earth to playback the tracks. There are few settings that need to be tweaked if one plans to use the tracks for MFM contribution...

Export the track to GPX or TCX format...

Open it up in Mapsource, the track will be presented nicely...

Any waypoints (or called markers in MyTracks) will also be included in the GPX file, if you have saved any in MyTracks. MFM has a very basic requirement on the track quality, that is the submitted track must be recorded in 1 second interval. Go to the track properties...

If the track is not in 1 second interval, no point make your submission as MFM will likely not accept the track into the map. You can also share your tracks to Facebook...

Share more of your off road trails to MFM, make it a better map and allow other MTB bikers to visit the trails. Sharing is caring :)