Strava

Use this app to get a gps fix before launching the Strava app.

Cool, thanks - will give that a go.

^ worked for me. as did reinstalling the app as first time round i could never get a gps lock regardless fo where i was even though google maps and endomondo locked on just fine

That's kind of what happened with me, though it works fine in the UK, just not abroad. Google maps finds the GPS with no problems.

Does this method only use the 'phone signal or would you also need data roaming on (and possibly be incurring heavy fees). I always assumed the latter and borrowed a garmin when I cycled in france during the summer for that reason..

It doesn't need data (I sometimes have mine off in the UK and strava still works). I think I'll try to borrow a garmin for my next trip abroad.