Step by Step Guide to Building a Strava API Integration in JS

Introduction

Hey there, fellow code enthusiasts! Ready to dive into the world of Strava API integration? Buckle up, because we're about to embark on a journey that'll have you pulling athlete data like a pro. We'll be using the nifty strava-v3 package, so get ready to flex those JavaScript muscles!

Prerequisites

Before we hit the ground running, make sure you've got:

• Node.js and npm installed (you're a dev, so I'm sure you've got this covered)
• Strava API credentials (if you don't have these yet, hop over to the Strava API website and get 'em)

Setting up the project

Let's kick things off by setting up our project:

mkdir strava-integration
cd strava-integration
npm init -y
npm install strava-v3

Boom! You're all set up and ready to roll.

Authentication

Alright, time to get that sweet, sweet access token. Strava uses OAuth 2.0, so let's implement that flow:

const strava = require('strava-v3');

const auth_link = strava.oauth.getRequestAccessURL({
  client_id: 'YOUR_CLIENT_ID',
  redirect_uri: 'YOUR_REDIRECT_URI',
  scope: 'read_all,activity:read_all'
});

console.log('Click this link to authorize:', auth_link);

// After authorization, exchange the code for tokens
strava.oauth.getToken(code, (err, payload) => {
  console.log(payload);
});

Pro tip: Store that access token securely. You'll need it for all your API requests.

Basic API Requests

Now that we're authenticated, let's grab some data:

// Get athlete info
strava.athlete.get({}, (err, payload) => {
  console.log(payload);
});

// Get activity list
strava.athlete.listActivities({}, (err, payload) => {
  console.log(payload);
});

Easy peasy, right? You're now pulling athlete data like a champ!

Advanced API Requests

Ready to level up? Let's fetch some detailed activity data and segment efforts:

// Get detailed activity data
strava.activities.get({id: 'ACTIVITY_ID'}, (err, payload) => {
  console.log(payload);
});

// Get segment efforts
strava.segments.listEfforts({id: 'SEGMENT_ID'}, (err, payload) => {
  console.log(payload);
});

Handling Rate Limits

Whoa there, speedster! Strava's got some rate limits we need to respect. Here's how to handle them like a pro:

const rateLimiter = require('bottleneck');

const limiter = new rateLimiter({
  minTime: 100 // Minimum time between requests (in ms)
});

limiter.schedule(() => strava.athlete.get({}, (err, payload) => {
  console.log(payload);
}));

Error Handling

Even the best of us encounter errors. Let's catch 'em with style:

try {
  const athlete = await strava.athlete.get({});
  console.log(athlete);
} catch (error) {
  console.error('Oops! Something went wrong:', error.message);
}

Best Practices

To really shine, remember these golden rules:

1. Cache data when possible to reduce API calls
2. Use webhook subscriptions for real-time updates
3. Always check the API documentation for the latest changes

Conclusion

And there you have it, folks! You're now armed with the knowledge to build a killer Strava API integration. Remember, practice makes perfect, so keep coding and exploring. The world of fitness data is now at your fingertips!

Happy coding, and may your PRs be ever in your favor! 🚴‍♂️🏃‍♀️💻