Strava: Creating Random Routes, Third-Party Tools, and Exploration

How do I create a random route on Strava?

While Strava's native route builder does not feature a "random route generator," you can achieve a similar outcome by leveraging third-party tools that create random routes and then importing them into Strava, or by using Strava's existing features with a strategic approach to introduce novelty and variety into your training.

Understanding Strava's Route Builder Capabilities

Strava's integrated Route Builder is a powerful tool designed for planning runs, rides, and other activities. It allows users to manually draw routes, utilize Strava's global heatmap to discover popular segments, and automatically snap to roads and trails. You can specify distance, elevation gain, and surface preferences. However, it's crucial to understand that the current Strava platform does not include an algorithmic feature to automatically generate a truly "random" route based on your location or desired parameters. Its strength lies in user-directed creation and discovery of existing popular paths.

Why "Random" Routes Can Enhance Your Training

Incorporating varied and unfamiliar routes into your training regimen offers significant physiological and psychological benefits, aligning with principles of exercise science and motor learning:

• Avoidance of Adaptation Plateaus: Repeating the same route can lead to predictable physiological demands. New routes introduce varied terrain, gradients, and environmental stimuli, challenging your body in novel ways and promoting continued adaptation.
• Enhanced Mental Engagement: Novel environments stimulate cognitive functions, breaking monotony and improving mental freshness. This can reduce perceived exertion and increase enjoyment, fostering greater adherence to your training plan.
• Improved Proprioception and Motor Skills: Navigating unfamiliar paths, especially those with varied surfaces or technical sections, enhances balance, coordination, and proprioceptive awareness (your body's sense of its position in space).
• Exploration and Discovery: Venturing into new areas can reveal hidden gems, scenic views, and new training grounds, adding an element of adventure to your fitness routine.

Strategy 1: Leveraging Strava's Manual Route Creation for "Pseudo-Randomness"

While not truly random, you can use Strava's existing route builder to simulate randomness and explore new areas:

• The "Turn-at-Random" Method:
  1. Open the Strava Route Builder and select your desired starting point.
  2. Begin drawing your route. At each major intersection, make a deliberate, arbitrary decision to turn left, right, or go straight, choosing a direction you haven't explored extensively.
  3. Continue this process, periodically checking the total distance and elevation to ensure it aligns with your training goals.
  4. Utilize the "Use Popularity" toggle (heatmap) within the route builder. While not random, this feature highlights frequently used roads and trails, which can guide you down unfamiliar but established paths, ensuring you don't accidentally venture into unsafe or impassable areas.
• Benefit: This method keeps you entirely within the Strava ecosystem and encourages active exploration of your local area.

Strategy 2: Utilizing Third-Party Route Generators

For genuinely random or procedurally generated routes, external websites and applications are your best resource. These tools often have algorithms designed to create unique routes based on parameters you provide.

• Popular Third-Party Options (examples, not endorsements):
  • Plotaroute.com: Features a "Random Route" generator where you input a starting point, direction, and distance, and it creates a loop or one-way route for you.
  • Komoot: While not strictly "random," Komoot excels at suggesting routes based on your preferences and can help you discover new paths you might not have considered.
  • Ride with GPS: Offers various route creation tools, including options to generate loops or out-and-back routes from a specified point, which can feel "random" if you're unfamiliar with the area.
• The Process of Importing a Route to Strava:
  1. Generate your desired "random" route on the third-party platform.
  2. Export the route file: Most platforms allow you to export the route in standard formats like GPX (GPS Exchange Format) or TCX (Training Center XML). Choose GPX for simplicity.
  3. Import to Strava:
     • Log in to Strava on your desktop computer.
     • Navigate to Dashboard > My Routes (or simply "Routes" in the left-hand menu).
     • Click the "Create New Route" button.
     • On the next page, look for the "Upload file" option (usually on the left side of the map).
     • Select the GPX/TCX file you downloaded from the third-party generator.
     • Once uploaded, review the route on the map, give it a descriptive name, and save it.
  4. Sync to Device: The route will now be available in your Strava account and can be synced to compatible GPS devices (like Garmin, Wahoo, etc.) or used directly within the Strava mobile app for navigation (with a Strava subscription).

Strategy 3: The "Explore" Feature for Discovering New Areas

While not a random generator, Strava's "Explore" or "Routes" feature (especially on the mobile app) can help you discover new, popular routes in your vicinity that you might not have otherwise considered, adding variety to your training.

• How to Use:
  1. Open the Strava mobile app.
  2. Tap on the "Routes" tab (usually at the bottom navigation bar).
  3. Strava will suggest popular routes near your current location or a selected area. You can filter by sport type, distance, and elevation.
  4. Browse the suggested routes. Even if not "random," these can be excellent discoveries that break the monotony of your usual training grounds.
  5. Save any interesting routes to your "My Routes" list for future use.

Practical Tips for Safe Route Exploration

When venturing onto new or "random" routes, safety and preparedness are paramount:

• Pre-Ride/Run Reconnaissance: Always review the route on a map (e.g., Google Street View) before you go. Look for potential hazards, road conditions, and areas that might not be suitable.
• Share Your Plan: Inform someone of your planned route and estimated return time.
• Be Prepared: Carry adequate hydration, nutrition, a fully charged phone, and basic repair/first-aid supplies.
• Weather Check: Always check weather conditions for the entire duration of your activity.
• Local Regulations: Be aware of any local trail rules, private property, or restricted areas.

Conclusion: Embracing Variety in Your Training

While Strava doesn't offer a one-click "random route" button, the combination of strategic manual creation, leveraging powerful third-party tools, and utilizing Strava's discovery features allows you to effectively introduce unpredictability and novelty into your training. Embracing varied routes not only keeps your workouts engaging but also provides diverse physiological stimuli, contributing to a more well-rounded and resilient fitness profile. Experiment with these strategies to unlock new training possibilities and reignite your passion for exploration.