The new connectivity features on the Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS + 4G) are great for every kind of sportsperson, but it is perhaps cyclists, who naturally range further and wider during their exercise than hikers or runners, who benefit the most from having a fully-connected device on their wrist. Even with their phone tens or perhaps hundreds of miles away, cyclists can now take and make calls, receive texts and emails, and check the weather, all via the new Apple Watch on EE.
If you’re regularly spending your Saturdays and Sundays out on long rides then the new Apple Watch connectivity, delivered only on the EE network, will be absolutely invaluable, whether you cycle with other people or solo. When out with friends it’s easy to get separated as people ride different sections at different speeds, especially when tackling steep climbs or fast descents. Being able to make and receive calls from your wrist allows to check on the progress of others and ensure you don't end up miles apart or heading in different directions.
Nippier cyclists will particularly enjoy being able to check in on how far behind their fellow riders are when waiting at the top of a climb, for example. If you know you’ve got ten minutes to spare, you can jump off your bike and refuel while you wait, rather than peering down the road trying to work out how long you have before everyone catches up. Or, if you’re an especially good friend and there’s cafe nearby, you can take everyone’s coffee order through the new Apple Watch and have hot drinks on hand when others reach the summit.
When riding solo, the benefits of having a connected device on your wrist are even more apparent, as it’s your link to the world during the hours spent riding remote roads. That means you’re contactable in an emergency or, more likely, in the event that your family needs you to pick up some milk on the way home. Should you get tired or suffer one too many punctures to repair, using the EE connected device, you can also call in reinforcements to pick you up – with EE providing more 4G coverage to keep you connected in more places than any other UK network, even on your more remote rides.
The ability to pay for things through the Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS + 4G) is also incredibly handy when out on rides, as it means you don't have to carry all your snacks and drinks with you from the start, or indeed take a wallet. You can ride without baggage, and pay for drinks, snacks or even a full meal come lunchtime, with your Watch thanks to Apple Pay and that always on connection thanks to EE.
One other feature of the new cellular connected Apple Watch on EE is that all cyclists will appreciate the ability to check the weather forecast from your wrist. On long outings it’s helpful to be able to keep tabs on whether it’s going to bucket it down, especially in the notoriously changeable conditions riders “enjoy” in the UK.
You can track your rides through the new Apple Watch’s native Workout app, which gives a simple and easy-to-read rundown of key stats like time, distance, average and/or current speed, heart rate, calories burned and elevation. You can set up the screen to show the stats that matter to you mid-ride, then get a full rundown of all the details on your cycle once you finish, including a map of where your rode and a graph of your heart rate. The new Apple Watch now also provides details on how fast your heart rate drops after a workout, which is a good indication of how fit you are – the faster it returns to a normal rate, the more in-shape you're likely to be.
There are also several other cycle-tracking apps available on the new Apple Watch, so you can pick the perfect option for you. Whichever you do go for, you’ll still benefit from all the fantastic connectivity features delivered by EE on the Watch 3.
Beyond your grand weekend outings, the new Apple Watch is great for everyday cycle tracking, as you’ll always have it on you to record quick trips on Boris bikes, or longer outings on hire bikes when on holiday. You don’t need to carry a bike computer with you – all your stats for every kind of ride are available with a flick of the wrist. When riding in city centres full of pedestrian crossings and traffic lights, you can also enable auto-pause on the Apple Watch so it stops tracking your ride automatically when you come to a halt.
Riders also benefit greatly from the extra connectivity on the new Apple Watch with EE, because you can now keep on top of emails and messages during your lunchtime spin, or stream music directly through the Watch to entertain you during long solo rides. You can not only listen to your own music through the new Watch, but also access Apple Music’s massive library and live radio through the new Radio app. As anyone who has ever spent an extended period cycling indoors solo knows, having access to this endless entertainment from your wrist is an absolute godsend. Music controls are easily accessed from within the Apple Workout app by swiping right from your stat screen. The new Apple Watch makes it easier than ever to listen to your music on the move. And it’s a great way of making the most of your 6 months of free Apple Music that you can get with your iPhone’s EE pay monthly plan.
To enjoy truly hassle-free music you can plug in the latest Apple AirPod earphones, which connect to the Watch as soon as you place them in your ears and do away with messy, annoying cables. With EE, you can even save £5 on the AirPods’ RRP when purchased on its Add to Plan scheme.
Since GPS was added to the Apple Watch with the Series 2, it has always been an excellent tracker for keen cyclists, but with EE mobile connectivity now available, the new Apple Watch is a must-have for those who spend most of their free time out and about on their bike. You can stay in touch with friends and family, whether they’re riding with you or at home, track your rides with a variety of apps, and pay for everything you need – all without a phone or a wallet in sight.
The Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS + 4G), uses the same number as your iPhone, so both the iPhone and your new Apple Watch need to be on EE if you want to call, message, use apps and stream music, without having your iPhone on you. If your iPhone is on another network and you buy the Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS + 4G), you simply won’t get access to all of the great 4G functionality.
EE offers the Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS + 4G) from just £25 per month with unlimited data, and customers require an iPhone 6, SE (or later) on a EE pay monthly or EE SIM Only plan.
