Update (21 August 2026): We've retired the elevation-lookup feature and its self-hosted server (
e.pitstopper.net). It saw little use and the terrain dataset was expensive to host. Route elevation profiles are unaffected - they come straight from the elevation baked into your GPX or FIT file, no server needed. The section below is kept for reference.Update (18 January 2026): We now run our own Overpass API server, used as the primary endpoint. Public fallback servers remain available if our infrastructure is unavailable.
Your Data Stays in Your Browser
One of PitStopper's core design principles is privacy. When you search for points of interest, all API queries are sent directly from your web browser to the various service providers. PitStopper's servers never see your route data, search queries, or location information.
This means:
- Your GPX routes are processed entirely in your browser
- POI searches go directly from your device to OpenStreetMap's Overpass API
- We can't track where you're planning to ride or hike
Being Good API Citizens
PitStopper currently has a small but growing community of users. We're mindful of the generous rate limits that public API providers offer, and we don't expect to approach any thresholds at our current scale.
We've built several features to minimize our API footprint:
POI Caching
When you search for POIs, the results are cached in your browser's localStorage. If you search for "cafes" along your route and then add "restaurants" as well, we won't re-query the cafe data - it's already stored locally. This reduces repeated API calls significantly.
You can view and manage this cache in Tools > System Tools > View POI Cache.
Our Own Infrastructure
As of January 2026, we run our own server for our most heavily used API:
- o.pitstopper.net - Our self-hosted Overpass API server for POI queries
It's used as the primary endpoint, with public servers remaining as fallbacks. This gives us better control over performance and reliability while reducing our dependency on third-party services.
Built-in Diagnostic Tools
If you're curious about the APIs or experiencing issues, we've built some helpful diagnostic tools:
Test API Connections
Found in Tools > System Tools > Test API Connections, this tool tests connectivity to all the external APIs PitStopper uses. It runs all tests in parallel and shows response times, helping you identify if a particular service is slow or unavailable.
Overpass Server Statistics
Under Tools > System Tools > POI Server Stats, you can see detailed statistics for each Overpass API server including:
- Number of requests made
- Average response times
- Failure counts
- Server health status
This is useful for understanding which servers are performing well in your region.
The APIs We Rely On
POI Data (Overpass API)
We query OpenStreetMap data through multiple redundant Overpass API endpoints:
- o.pitstopper.net (primary - our own server)
- z.overpass-api.de (fallback)
- overpass-api.de (fallback)
- overpass.private.coffee (fallback)
- overpass.kumi.systems (fallback)
If one server is slow or unavailable, we automatically try the next one.
Elevation Data
Elevation lookups were retired in August 2026 (little used, costly to host). Route elevation profiles now come entirely from the elevation recorded in your GPX or FIT file, so no elevation API is contacted.
Geocoding (Address Search)
- Nominatim (OpenStreetMap) - Primary address search
- Photon API (Komoot) - Fallback geocoding service
Sunrise & Sunset Times
- SunriseSunset.io - Primary service with timezone support
- Sunrise-Sunset.org - Fallback API
Map Tiles
- OpenStreetMap - Default street map layer
- ESRI World Imagery - Satellite view
- OpenTopoMap - Topographic maps
- CyclOSM - Cycling-focused maps
- Thunderforest Outdoors - Outdoor activity maps
Thank You
PitStopper wouldn't be possible without the incredible work of the teams and volunteers behind these services. We're deeply grateful to:
- The OpenStreetMap community for creating and maintaining the world's most comprehensive open map database
- The operators of the Overpass API servers who handle millions of queries daily
- OpenTopoData and Open-Elevation, who provided free elevation services while we offered that feature
- Komoot for the Photon geocoding API
- The developers of SunriseSunset.io and Sunrise-Sunset.org
- All the map tile providers who make beautiful, free map layers available
These services embody the spirit of open data and open source. They make tools like PitStopper possible without requiring expensive commercial APIs or compromising user privacy.
If you find these services valuable, consider donating to OpenStreetMap or contributing to the map data in your area.
