My Mountain Biking Safety Beacon Setup
Riding solo doesn’t mean riding unprotected. Strava Beacon and Garmin LiveTrack make it easy to share your live location with loved ones or riding buddies.
Let’s talk about safety tracking. I know, not the most thrilling topic, but an important one especially for those of us who ride solo.
Just this week a local mountain biker was riding in the Boise Foothills and needed Search and Rescue assistance. Thankfully they were found and made it home safe. I'm not reposting this blog as a way to criticize anyone involved, rather I hope that this situation is a reminder to all of us that it can happen and if we have systems in place beforehand, those system can speed up the response time significantly.
As I was watching this situation play out I was reminded that I have slacked in my own communication to friends on my rides and I need to recommit to using my systems every time. You don't need a satellite phone, or a monthly subscription rescue service, there are basic trackers available that can help people know where you are for free and that's what I cover in this blog.
My partner isn’t an outdoorsy person to the degree I am, so when I head out on a ride it naturally causes a bit of stress. They’re supportive, but they also want to know I’m safe. Using a reliable tracking beacon has made a big difference for both of us. It gives them peace of mind, and it gives me the freedom to explore without worrying that they’re stressing over about my location.
I actively use two tracking services when I ride: one for my partner and another I send to a riding buddy. That way, if something goes wrong, my friends can come help without my partner needing to relay my location or try to coordinate from home. It’s a simple setup, but it’s made a big impact.
My Setup
For my own rides, I use a combo of Garmin LiveTrack and the Strava Beacon.
Garmin LiveTrack is my go-to for keeping my partner in the loop. I set it up to automatically email a link to track my activity every time I start a ride on my Garmin watch. No extra steps, no forgetting, no remembering to send a text with the link. This is especially helpful when I’m starting a ride outside of cell service, since the email goes out automatically as soon as there's a signal. There’s also an option to copy a direct link from the app if I ever want to send it manually via text.
Strava Beacon is my second line of safety. Since I use Strava to track all my ride mileage for bike maintenance, I’m already logging everything there. Turning on Beacon is simple with the June 2025 Strava update. It is now at the bottom of your record ride screen. I send that link when I start my ride to a riding buddy who knows my habits and the terrain, just in case something goes sideways and I need help from someone who understands the area.
Neither of these tools are essential, but once I got the automation dialed in, they’ve become part of my regular routine. The setup runs quietly in the background and gives my partner peace of mind and allows me to explore without worrying about keeping them updated on my progress.
Each beacon service offers something slightly different, so I want to take a closer look at what they offer and you can choose which one works best for you. First thing I want to highlight is they are both free to use! Strava Beacon does not require premium to access. Garmin LiveTrack does require a garmin device, but does not require Garmin+.
Strava Beacon
Strava Beacon is Strava’s answer to real-time safety. You don’t need a premium GPS device, just your smartphone and the Strava app. Beacon lets you share your live activity with up to three people. It’s super simple, and with the new app update added the share location button right on the main screen.
If you want to read more about the Strava beacon from their blog, check it out here.
Key Features:
- Real-time GPS tracking from your phone
- Link can be texted to emergency contacts
- Super quick setup before each ride/run
- Tracks location, movement, and when you started
Bonus Tip: If your Apple Watch is connected to Strava, you can also enable Beacon from your wrist.
Garmin LiveTrack
If you’re already using a Garmin device, LiveTrack is a powerful safety tool that turns your watch or bike computer into a live GPS beacon. Once paired with your phone and the Garmin Connect app, it sends a link to designated contacts showing your real-time location, speed, distance, heart rate, and elevation. Some Garmin models even include Incident Detection, which auto-notifies your contacts in the event of a crash (I personally have not used this feature). Learning more about the LiveTrack features on Garmin's website, here.
Key Features:
- Sends live location via email or text
- Optional auto-start with activity (my favorite feature)
- Heart rate, cadence, and other sensor data included
- Works with most modern Garmin devices (watches, Edge bike computers)
- Free with Garmin Connect app
One last thing, before you even get on the bike it is important to make a plan and share that with someone. We have a whiteboard on our fridge, and I often write my planned route and estimated return time there for my kids and partner to see. I generally know exactly what trails I'm going to ride and have the route detailed, but if you don't know that, give them the starting point, where you're going towards, and how long you think you'll be gone. A simple "I'm going to the Military Reserve, planning to ride up to Five Mile Gulch, should be home by 4pm" give someone a starting point if something does go wrong.
At the end of the day, safety tracking is all about communication. It’s about riding with a confidence that if something does go wrong, your system will help SAR get to your location. Tools like Garmin LiveTrack and Strava Beacon offer an easy way to stay connected without interrupting your ride. If you’ve been on the fence about using them, consider giving one (or both) a try.
Forever Two Wheels!
-Myles
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