Strava Route Editor: How to Edit, Adjust, and Optimize Your Routes

How to Edit a Route on Strava: A Comprehensive Guide

Editing a route on Strava primarily involves utilizing the robust Route Builder tool on the Strava desktop website, allowing users to fine-tune existing routes, add or remove waypoints, adjust for terrain, and refine the path to perfectly match their planned activity or training goals.

Understanding Strava's Route Builder

Strava's Route Builder is a powerful web-based tool designed for creating and modifying routes for cycling, running, and other activities. While Strava offers a mobile app, the full suite of editing capabilities is exclusively available through the desktop version of the website. This platform leverages Strava's extensive data, including heatmaps of popular routes, to assist users in crafting optimal paths.

Key Features of the Route Builder:

• Drag-and-Drop Functionality: Intuitively adjust the route by clicking and dragging points on the map.
• Global Heatmap Integration: Visualize popular paths taken by other athletes, aiding in route discovery and optimization.
• Surface Preferences: Specify preferences for paved or unpaved surfaces, influencing the route's auto-generation.
• Elevation Profile: Provides a detailed graph of the route's elevation changes, crucial for understanding the physical demands.
• Estimated Moving Time: Calculates an approximate duration based on your average speed or pace.
• Manual Mode: Offers precise control, allowing you to draw the route segment by segment without relying on automatic pathing.

Accessing Your Routes for Editing

To begin editing a route, you must first navigate to your saved routes on the Strava website. Remember, you can only directly edit routes that you have personally created. Routes saved from other users or public routes can be duplicated and then edited.

Step-by-Step Access:

1. Log In: Go to strava.com and log in to your account.
2. Navigate to My Routes: From your Dashboard, hover over "Dashboard" in the top navigation bar, then select "My Routes" from the dropdown menu.
3. Select a Route: Browse your list of saved routes. Click on the specific route you wish to modify.
4. Initiate Edit/Duplicate:
   • If it's a route you created, you'll see an "Edit" button. Clicking this will open the route directly in the Route Builder.
   • If it's a route saved from another athlete or a public route, you will need to click the "Duplicate" button first. This creates a copy of the route in your account, which you can then edit without affecting the original.

Step-by-Step Guide to Editing Your Route

Once you have opened your route in the Route Builder, you can begin making modifications. The interface is highly interactive, allowing for precise adjustments.

1. Modifying the Route Path:

• Adding Waypoints: To extend or redirect your route, simply click on a new location on the map. The Route Builder will automatically connect the new point to your existing route, typically following roads or paths.
• Moving Waypoints: Click and drag any existing waypoint (the small circles along your route) to adjust the path. The route will re-snap to the nearest roads or trails.
• Deleting Waypoints: Click on a waypoint, and a small "X" or "Delete" option will appear. Clicking this will remove the waypoint and re-route the path between the surrounding points.
• Reversing Route: On the left-hand panel, you'll find a "Reverse Route" button. This is useful for planning out-and-back routes or simply changing your direction of travel.

2. Utilizing Route Builder Tools (Left-Hand Panel):

• Follow Popular Routes (Heatmaps): Ensure the "Use Popularity" option is enabled. This feature leverages Strava's heatmap data to guide your route along frequently traveled roads and trails, often indicating safer or more scenic options.
• Surface Preference: Toggle between "Paved" and "Unpaved" (or "Any") to influence how the Route Builder automatically connects points. This is critical for cyclists and runners who prefer specific terrain.
• Minimize Elevation / Maximize Elevation: These toggles attempt to adjust the route to find the flattest or hilliest path possible between your chosen waypoints, offering control over the route's difficulty.
• Manual Mode: For ultimate precision, click the "Manual Mode" toggle. In this mode, the route will connect points with a straight line, allowing you to draw off-road segments, connect specific paths, or bypass auto-generated detours. Remember to toggle back to auto-mode if you want to snap back to roads.

3. Reviewing Changes:

• Elevation Profile: As you edit, continuously monitor the elevation profile at the bottom of the screen. This provides real-time feedback on the climbs and descents, helping you assess the route's overall challenge.
• Distance and Estimated Time: The total distance and estimated moving time (based on your average speed settings) will update dynamically. Verify these metrics align with your training goals.

4. Saving Your Edited Route:

Once satisfied with your modifications, you have two primary saving options:

• Save as New Route: If you started by duplicating a route, or if you want to preserve the original version, choose to save it as a new route. You'll be prompted to give it a new name.
• Overwrite Existing Route: If you are editing a route you created and want to replace the original with your changes, you can choose to overwrite it. Be cautious, as this action is typically irreversible.

Important Considerations for Route Editing

While the Route Builder is powerful, understanding its nuances ensures a smoother experience.

• Desktop vs. Mobile: Reiterate that comprehensive route editing is a desktop-only feature. The mobile app allows for basic route creation but lacks the advanced editing capabilities.
• Route Ownership and Permissions: You can only directly modify routes you created. To edit a route created by another user, you must first "star" it (save it to your routes) and then "duplicate" it.
• Privacy Settings: When saving a route, you can set its privacy to "Public," "Followers," or "Only You." Consider your privacy preferences, especially if the route includes sensitive locations like your home address.
• Syncing to Devices: After editing and saving, ensure your GPS device (Garmin, Wahoo, etc.) is synced with Strava (if applicable) to get the updated route. Some devices require manual transfer or a re-sync.

Optimizing Your Routes for Performance and Safety

Beyond simply changing a path, thoughtful route editing is a key aspect of intelligent training and safe exploration.

• Pre-Ride/Run Reconnaissance: Use satellite view and Street View (if available) within the Route Builder to virtually scout sections of your route. Look for potential hazards, rough surfaces, or confusing intersections.
• Considering Terrain and Traffic: Edit your routes to avoid high-traffic areas during peak times, or to incorporate specific terrain (e.g., long climbs for climbing practice, flat sections for speed work).
• Strategic Waypoint Placement: Place waypoints at key turns, intersections, or points where the auto-generated route might deviate from your intended path. This ensures your device's navigation follows your exact plan.
• Emergency Planning: Consider the accessibility of your route. Are there places to refuel, seek shelter, or easily call for assistance if needed? Factor these into longer or more remote routes.

Conclusion

Mastering Strava's Route Builder is an invaluable skill for any dedicated athlete. By understanding how to effectively edit and optimize your routes, you gain greater control over your training environment, enhance safety, and ultimately improve the quality of your outdoor activities. Invest the time to familiarize yourself with this powerful tool, and you'll unlock new possibilities for your fitness journey.