How Tailwind GPS works
Tailwind GPS is a weather-scored route planner for cyclists. Import or build routes, then see the best departure hour from wind, rain and temperature sampled along the whole ride at your pace.
From saved route to best hour.
1Bring your routes
Connect Strava to sync saved routes, upload a GPX, draw one in the route builder, or pick a curated local route. Tailwind is not a discovery app — it helps you decide when to ride the routes you already love.
2We score every kilometre
Every saved route gets a Tailwind Score from 0 to 100 for each departure hour. Wind, rain and temperature are sampled along the whole line at your expected pace — not just at the start — so the score matches where you will be.
3See the best hour
Scroll hourly scores for the next 14 days on Pro, or three days on the free plan. A single-point forecast cannot explain a winding 70 km route; Tailwind shows which hour stands out.
4Go and ride
Export GPX to Garmin or Wahoo, share a link with your club, or navigate turn-by-turn from your phone browser — no app install. During navigation you can still see upcoming weather along the route.
The difference isn't your legs. It's the timing.
Headwind the whole way home, or wind at your back and you fly. Rain, heat and wind all shift with the hour. Slide the start time and watch the same route change.
- Speed at 200 W
- 21.6km/h
- −11.1 km/h
- Watts to hold 30 km/h
- 388W
- +230 W
- 50 km at 200 W
- 2h 19m
- +47 min
Changes are against still air. Flat road, wind straight along it. Model for a 75 kg rider. Check out our wattage calculator
Leaving at 7am: headwind 20 km/h, Tailwind Score 10. 21.6 km/h at 200 watts, or 388 watts to hold 30 km/h.
Understanding the Tailwind Score
The score answers one question: how favourable will the weather be if I start this route at this time? Each route also shows tailwind, headwind and crosswind percentages, average wind speed, temperature and rain in the breakdown.
- 80–100Great tailwind
Excellent riding with predominantly favourable weather.
- 55–79Good
Generally favourable conditions along the route.
- 40–54Fair
Mixed conditions — a balance of headwind and tailwind.
- 20–39Headwind
Predominantly challenging weather and wind.
- 0–19Brutal
Strong headwinds through much of the route.
Two routes in the same area can score very differently because the calculation follows the direction and shape of each route — not just your postcode. Free accounts include three saved routes and a three-day forecast; Tailwind Pro adds up to 60 routes, a 14-day forecast, and a weekly email of your best rides.
What goes into the score
Every hour, we re-sample forecast weather along your route at the speed you expect to ride.
Wind direction
How the wind hits each segment relative to your heading.
Wind speed
Strength of headwind, tailwind and crosswind along the line.
Rain
Forecast rainfall sampled where you will be on the route.
Temperature
Heat and chill along the ride, hour by hour.
Your pace
Your expected speed shifts when you reach each section.
Free forever on 3 routes
That's the theory. Now score your routes.
- Every route scored for wind, rain and temperature
- The best hour to ride, up to 3 days out
- Strava routes in with one tap
Free forever on 3 routes. No card.
Frequently asked questions
How does Tailwind GPS work?
Tailwind GPS is a web-based route planner that weather-scores your cycling routes using forecast wind, rain and temperature along each line at your pace. Every saved route gets a Tailwind Score for each departure hour so you can spot the best time to ride.
How is it different from a standard weather forecast?
A conventional forecast gives conditions for one location. Tailwind samples the whole route, accounting for every turn and your expected riding speed, to estimate how weather will feel from start to finish.
Can I import my existing routes?
Yes. Connect Strava to sync routes, upload GPX files, draw routes in the built-in planner, or start from a curated local route.
What does the Tailwind Score represent?
It is a route-specific rating from 0 to 100 for a chosen departure time. Higher scores mean more favourable riding; lower scores flag stronger headwinds, rain or less comfortable weather.
Can I navigate my routes as well?
Yes. Follow turn-by-turn guidance in your mobile browser with optional voice prompts, or export GPX for Garmin and Wahoo head units.
What's included in the free plan?
The free plan includes three saved routes and a three-day weather forecast, forever. Tailwind Pro adds up to 60 routes, a 14-day forecast, and a weekly email of your best rides — subscribe from $2.99 / month.
Who is Tailwind for?
Anyone who rides a bike. Whether it's your first time on a route or your tenth, Tailwind helps you decide which route is best this week, find new routes near you, or create one from scratch.
Find your best ever ride.
Start with three routes free, forever. Pick the best hour, then roll out.