5 Apple Watch Features Cyclists Will Use Every Day

The Apple Watch is a powerful tool for runners, for those who want to keep their notifications at a glance at all times, and also for cyclists. As the year goes on, it seems like Apple has two priorities when it comes to people who like to exercise: runners and cyclists. That’s why the company offers several features that newcomers and longtime riders can really take advantage of once they get an Apple Watch for the first time or upgrade to a new model, like mirroring information with iPhone Live Activity, turn-by-turn navigation, and native Bluetooth sensor connectivity.

Although there are many other features that cyclists can take advantage of, that doesn’t mean they should use them every day. For example, some of the most important features available to iPhone and Apple Watch users are fall detection and emergency SOS. With these features, Apple uses the gyroscopes and accelerometers of the iPhone or Apple Watch to recognize the impact of a bicycle accident. If a hard fall is detected and you remain still for 60 seconds, the watch will automatically sound an alarm, send a message to a saved contact and call local emergency services sharing your exact GPS location.

While these are nicer features that we actually want to use, there are others that will make a big difference on a daily commute, a long bike ride, or a weekend with friends. Here’s what you need to know.

With iOS 17 and watchOS 10, Apple expanded the Live Activity feature by allowing cyclists to take a closer look at their cycling metrics from iPhone. This way, if you start a workout on your Apple Watch and place your iPhone on the bike, you will be able to see your workout metrics. This turns the iPhone into a dedicated high-resolution cycling computer. For everyday cyclists, it has become their go-to feature to get detailed information about their ride. Cyclists can get their current and average speed, elapsed time, heart rate, distance traveled and elevation gain.

Using the Apple Watch’s sensors, Apple can accurately track this data and display it on the iPhone. With newer models, such as the iPhone 17 Pro, vapor chamber cooling ensures that even when your phone is exposed to direct sunlight, the screen does not darken, so you can continue to check information because this vapor chamber continues to cool the iPhone’s chip.

Every time I ride my bike, I find it very convenient to have the iPhone in front of me. Even though Apple has significantly improved viewing the Apple Watch at an angle with a brighter screen, it can still be difficult to get all the data at a glance, whereas the iPhone does the job perfectly.

Even though the iPhone can already play an important role as a cycling computer, serious cyclists might still want dedicated devices to check power meters, cadence and speed. With Bluetooth support, cyclists can connect standard third-party cycling gear and help Apple Watch collect and record professional-grade cycling dynamics without third-party apps or complex settings for additional hardware.

Once cyclists set up these devices (which is as simple as making them discoverable and connecting to Apple Watch Bluetooth), the watch can automatically recognize the sensors when they start an outdoor cycling session. Since GPS tracking can be disabled due to speed and cadence, and Apple is constantly trying to improve it by tweaking the Apple Watch algorithm, situations like cycling under a dense tree canopy, inside tunnels, or among urban skyscrapers can still be difficult.

That said, by pulling data directly from a rear hub speed sensor or bottom bracket cadence sensor, the measurements remain completely accurate. With this, cyclists tracking their progress on third-party platforms like Strava or TrainingPeaks can ensure they have the raw data files with uninterrupted measurements needed for in-depth post-race performance analysis, or even use third-party AI chatbots to better understand how their training is going.

If you’re a serious cyclist, know that you can pair a power meter with Apple Watch, because watchOS unlocks advanced algorithms that calculate your functional threshold power (FTP). This represents the highest average power, measured in watts, that a cyclist can sustain for an hour without tiring. With this, the watch can evaluate your heart rate data as well as your power output over different riding intensities to automatically estimate your current FTP.

Additionally, Apple Watch users can understand the five power zones because they can be displayed in real-time visual gauges on Apple Watch and iPhone. This allows cyclists to regulate their pace precisely, ensuring they are in an appropriate zone during long endurance blocks or going a little faster/harder during structured intervals.

By being able to estimate FTP and understand different power zones, cyclists can better understand how their body responds to a workout and evaluate themselves to ensure maximum performance during climbs or long sessions.

Although not available everywhere, Apple offers cycling directions on Apple Maps in around 30 countries, including the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Japan, Australia, and more. While these precise cycling routes may be the best way to avoid steep grades and access dedicated bike lanes, paved trails, and cyclist-friendly side streets, users can also enjoy walking routes, even by bike. This way, the Apple Watch notifies you and gives you voice commands telling you where to turn, how long you should go straight, etc.

What makes turn-by-turn navigation with the Apple Watch great is that it relies on haptic feedback. With the distinctive vibration patterns generated by the Taptic Engine, you always know it’s almost time for action. On top of that, if you prefer to glance at the screen, Always-On technology will let you see clear, high-contrast directional arrows, distance-to-turn countdowns, and real-time elevation profiles.

Another great option is to download maps beforehand. With offline maps, it can also be very convenient for cycling around the city, whether via dedicated cycle paths or using walking navigation. Cyclists must open the Maps app on the iPhone and tap their profile. There they can select offline maps, add a new one and select the area they want to download. After cropping the precise area, users can tap Download and then toggle Sync to Apple Watch to get that seamless experience, even when you don’t have access to a 5G connection.

If the Apple Watch still measured heart rate, it was with watchOS 9 that it began to integrate automatic and manual cardiovascular zoning. In this way, the software began to use age and resting heart rate data to calculate the five distinct intensity zones.

With watchOS 11, Apple finally added the missing piece that not only cyclists, but fitness enthusiasts in general, were missing: training load. With this feature, Apple created an algorithmic model that calculates the relationship between acute stress and chronic tolerance. This way, instead of just tracking individual efforts, watchOS began tracking a rolling 28-day baseline of your training.

Training Load takes into account your heart rate zones, age, weight and GPS altitude by comparing training intensity from the last seven days to the last 28 days. So users can better understand if they are overtraining, if they can push a little harder, or if they are where they should be. As Apple continues to improve these features, third-party apps like Gentler Streak and The Outsiders give more insight into your workouts, including insights based on your sleep quality, specific goals, and more.