We’ve all been there. That post-ride ritual of immediately uploading your data to Strava, anxiously waiting for the kudos to roll in and to see if you snagged any new hardware on your local segments. For years, Strava has been the undisputed king of cycling apps, a digital scrapbook of our rides and a virtual leaderboard for our competitive urges. But is the kingdom starting to crumble?

A recent article on BikeRadar by Paul Norman, titled “Strava is becoming irrelevant – I use this free app instead,” has been making the rounds, and it’s hit a nerve with a lot of us. Norman’s piece isn’t just a rant; it’s a well-reasoned argument for why a growing number of cyclists are starting to question if Strava is still worth the subscription fee, or even the space on their phone. And you know what? He makes some damn good points.

The KOM is Dead, Long Live the Ride

Remember the thrill of hunting for King of the Mountain (KOM) or Queen of the Mountain (QOM) crowns? It was like a video game for cyclists, turning every ride into a potential race. But as Norman points out, those days are pretty much over for most of us. Nearly every inch of road and trail is already a segment, and unless you’re a pro, you’ve got a snowball’s chance in hell of getting to the top of the leaderboard.

Strava tried to keep things interesting with “Local Legend” awards for the most laps on a segment, but let’s be honest, it doesn’t have the same cachet as being the fastest. The gamification that made Strava so addictive has lost its luster.

The Awkward Pivot to Social Media

Recognizing that the KOM chase was becoming a bit stale, Strava has been trying to rebrand itself as a “social network for athletes.” You can now upload photos, videos, and write lengthy posts about your rides. But here’s the thing: we already have social media. We have Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok for that. Do we really need another platform to show off our sweaty post-ride selfies?

For many of us, the appeal of cycling is to get away from the noise of social media, not to get bogged down in another feed of curated content. The social features on Strava can feel a bit forced and inauthentic, and they distract from the core function of the app: tracking and analyzing our rides.

The Data Doesn’t Lie: Better, Free Alternatives are Out There

Perhaps the most compelling argument against Strava is the rise of powerful, free alternatives. Norman sings the praises of Garmin Connect, and for good reason. If you’re a Garmin user, you’re already sitting on a goldmine of data that goes far beyond what Strava offers. We’re talking about in-depth training metrics, sleep tracking, heart rate variability, and a whole host of other nerdy numbers that can actually help you become a better cyclist.

And the best part? It’s all free. When you compare the comprehensive data you get from Garmin Connect to the features behind Strava’s paywall, it’s hard to justify the subscription fee.

What Do We, as Muckers, Really Want?

At the end of the day, what are we looking for in a cycling app? Are we trying to impress a bunch of strangers with our virtual trophies, or are we looking for a tool that helps us get the most out of our time on the bike?

For the Muckers Worldwide community, we think the answer is clear. We’re about the ride, the adventure, and the personal challenge. We want to track our progress, analyze our performance, and plan epic new routes. We want a tool that is powerful, intuitive, and doesn’t try to be something it’s not.

The Verdict: Is It Time to Ditch Strava?

So, is Strava completely irrelevant? Not necessarily. It’s still a decent ride log, and it’s a good way to keep up with what your mates are doing. But it’s no longer the be-all and end-all of cycling apps.

The conversation sparked by the BikeRadar article is an important one. It’s a reminder that we shouldn’t be slaves to the algorithm. We should use the tools that work best for us, whether that’s Strava, Garmin Connect, or just a good old-fashioned paper map.

What do you think? Is Strava still a vital part of your cycling life, or have you moved on to greener pastures? Let us know in the comments.