More competition equals more activities on the platform - that is the calculation of Strava for the introduction of the new challenge feature on 2 June 2021. While the navigation of the Strava mobile app was given a general overhaul in May and content tailored to the individual user was displayed more prominently (improved display of the ranking in leaderboards and in the "Local Legends" frequency rating, popular locations and segments nearby), the focus is now on the new group challenges in addition to a re-sorting of the route suggestions.
Until now, the ability to create challenges based on performance parameters, distance and topography was reserved exclusively for Strava's sponsor partners. Now, any Strava user can set up the so-called Group Challenges themselves, provided they are a premium user of the platform. Each challenge is limited to 25 people.
The challenges can include one or more sports, the scope can be set as desired. The goals must be based on the three parameters of training duration, speed and/or altitude metres. Athletes taking part in a challenge can keep track of their own progress and that of other participants at all times via the group tab and the challenge details page. A small restriction for athletes without a Strava paid membership: they can only take part in a Group Challenge up to three times.
The new map area on Strava
All segments and routes are now bundled together in one place under the "Maps" tab. The route suggestions are organised into six categories and are personalised for each member - depending on previous journeys and current location. The "Visit favourite places" option allows you to select the most popular segments in the current area, while "Discover new places" leads to a list of the most travelled segments in the area that the user has not yet travelled.
