Strava: Editing Walks, Activities, and Data for Accuracy

How do I edit a walk on Strava?

To edit a walk on Strava, access the specific activity either through the mobile application or the desktop website, select the 'Edit Activity' function, apply your desired modifications such as changing the activity type, name, description, or privacy settings, and then save your updates.

Understanding the Need to Edit Strava Activities

Strava serves as a powerful platform for tracking, analyzing, and sharing your fitness activities. While most data is automatically recorded via GPS devices or the Strava app, there are times when an activity requires modification. This could be due to a GPS error, an incorrect activity type selection, a need to update privacy settings, or simply to add more context to your performance. Editing your activities ensures the data accurately reflects your effort, enhances your training insights, and maintains the integrity of your Strava profile.

Accessing Your Activity for Editing

The process for editing an activity is straightforward, whether you are using the Strava mobile app or the desktop website.

On the Strava Mobile App

1. Open the Strava App: Launch the Strava application on your smartphone.
2. Navigate to Your Profile: Tap the "You" icon (profile silhouette) in the bottom navigation bar.
3. Find Your Activity: Scroll down to your activity feed or tap "Activities" to see a list of all your recorded workouts. Select the specific walk you wish to edit.
4. Initiate Edit Mode: On the activity details screen, tap the "three dots" icon (ellipsis) located in the top right corner.
5. Select "Edit Activity": From the dropdown menu, choose "Edit Activity." This will open the editing interface.

On the Strava Website (Desktop)

1. Log In to Strava: Go to strava.com and log in to your account.
2. Access Your Activities: Hover over "Dashboard" in the top navigation bar and click on "My Activities."
3. Select the Activity: Find the walk you want to edit from your list of activities and click on its title to open the activity details page.
4. Initiate Edit Mode: On the activity details page, locate the "wrench" icon (or a "three dots" icon followed by "Edit Activity") usually found on the left side, below the activity title, or sometimes in the top right corner next to the star icon. Click on it.
5. Select "Edit Activity": Choose "Edit Activity" from the options presented. This will lead you to the editing page.

Common Edits You Can Make

Once in the editing interface, you'll find several options to modify your activity data.

• Activity Name: Change the default name (e.g., "Afternoon Walk") to something more descriptive or personal (e.g., "Scenic Lakeside Stroll").
• Activity Type: Correct the activity type if it was miscategorized (e.g., changed from "Run" to "Walk" or vice versa). This is crucial for accurate segment matching and training zone calculations.
• Description: Add details about your walk, such as your mood, observations, training notes, or who you were with.
• Photos: Upload new photos, remove existing ones, or rearrange the order of your activity photos.
• Privacy Controls: Adjust who can view your activity. Options typically include "Everyone," "Followers," or "Only You." You can also hide specific parts of your activity, like the start and end points, for enhanced privacy.
• Mark as Commute: If your walk was part of your commute, you can mark it as such to contribute to Strava's global commuter data.
• Gear Used: Assign or change the gear (e.g., specific shoes) you used for the activity. This helps track the mileage on your equipment.
• Crop Activity: This is particularly useful for correcting GPS errors. If your device took a few minutes to acquire a satellite signal, or if you forgot to stop recording immediately, you can trim the beginning and/or end of your activity to remove erroneous data points.
• Correct Distance/Elevation: While Strava often automatically corrects elevation data, you may have the option to manually adjust distance or elevation in specific cases. Exercise caution with manual adjustments as they can impact the integrity of your data and segment matching. For significant GPS inaccuracies, cropping is often a better first step.
• Delete Activity: If an activity was recorded by mistake or you no longer wish to keep it, you can permanently delete it. This action cannot be undone.

Saving Your Changes

After making all your desired edits, always remember to save your changes. On the mobile app, look for a "Save" or "Done" button, typically in the top right corner. On the desktop website, there will be a "Save" button at the bottom of the editing page. Your activity will then update to reflect the modifications.

Important Considerations for Data Integrity

While editing is a useful feature, it's important to understand the implications of certain changes:

• Impact on Segments: Changing the activity type or cropping an activity can affect whether it matches with Strava segments. For instance, a "walk" will not match "run" segments. Cropping can remove the start or end of a segment, preventing a match.
• Third-Party Syncs: If your Strava account is linked to other fitness platforms (e.g., MyFitnessPal, TrainingPeaks), edits made on Strava might not automatically propagate to these connected services. You may need to manually update them or re-sync the activity if the platform allows.
• Editing vs. Manual Entry: Editing an existing activity preserves its original GPS data (if any), whereas manual entry allows you to input an activity from scratch without GPS data. For optimal data quality and segment matching, editing an existing GPS-recorded activity is generally preferred over deleting and manually re-entering it.

Troubleshooting Common Editing Issues

If you encounter issues while editing:

• Changes Not Saving: Ensure you have a stable internet connection and that you've clicked the "Save" or "Done" button. Sometimes, a quick app restart or browser refresh can resolve minor glitches.
• Unable to Find Edit Option: Double-check that you are on the specific activity's details page and not just viewing it in your feed. The edit option is usually behind an ellipsis or wrench icon.
• Data Still Incorrect: If after saving, the data still appears incorrect (e.g., elevation), Strava might be applying its own data corrections. For major discrepancies, consider contacting Strava support.

Conclusion

Editing your walks and other activities on Strava is a fundamental skill for maintaining an accurate and insightful training log. By understanding how to access the editing features and what types of modifications you can make, you empower yourself to correct errors, add valuable context, and ensure your fitness data truly reflects your efforts and progress. Regular review and judicious editing contribute significantly to a more meaningful and effective Strava experience.