suggestions for simple to use cycle route/road planner please

[footpump]

hello all
I live near Watford Hertfordshire, and with the recent sunny weather have been retracing some of
the routes I used to do unpowered about 5 years ago.
but found I was not sure of which exact roads I had used before.
and some cycle paths have become very overgrown .

I have garmin edge 200 but really only use it to measure distance travelled, not used its other features for a while.
have non gps smartphone, did use cycle streets but find it a bit confusing at times .

got no room on handle bars anymore to use a smartphone holder due to amount of stuff on handlebars cycle computer /lcd screen/thumb throttle etc

just want something simple that gives names of roads for example

ps is there a cheap tablet that has gps function? I could carry one in saddlebag

thank you

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Any Android smartphone will do what you want. They have Google maps, which have everything your Garmin has and more. Before you go, have a look at the maps for where you want to go, then from the meno, download the maps, so that they stay on your phone without needing a phone signal. The GPS and routes work independently from the phone system so phone signal is not a problem. Google is free.

 

[anotherkiwi]

hello all
I live near Watford Hertfordshire, and with the recent sunny weather have been retracing some of
the routes I used to do unpowered about 5 years ago.
but found I was not sure of which exact roads I had used before.
and some cycle paths have become very overgrown .

I have garmin edge 200 but really only use it to measure distance travelled, not used its other features for a while.
have non gps smartphone, did use cycle streets but find it a bit confusing at times .

got no room on handle bars anymore to use a smartphone holder due to amount of stuff on handlebars cycle computer /lcd screen/thumb throttle etc

just want something simple that gives names of roads for example

ps is there a cheap tablet that has gps function? I could carry one in saddlebag

thank you

Define cheap? I paid 97€ for mine because I wanted a big enough screen, the smaller ones are 67€.

http://www.oruxmaps.com/ complicated to learn but very powerful and uses openstreetmaps cycle maps which are great where I live YMMV.

What cycle computer? If it is Bluetooth oruxmaps may be compatible so you could remove the cycle computer screen and have all your data on the same screen.

http://www.roswheel.eu/phonebag/

 

[danielrlee]

Although the CycleStreets user interface leaves something to be desired, the routing is as good as it gets. IMO, you should stick with it and in time you'll grow to love it.

 

[footpump]

thanks all for info
been faffing about for ages with google maps
planned a known route and that seems ok , but could not send the route/map to my phone.
then find I need to use chrome browser not Microsoft edge.
I will use google and cycle streets .

but I cannot figure out exactly how I download a route/map from google maps to view offline , so not using wi fi or internet
i have created a route on my pc and can send it to phone, not sure its a download

 

[anotherkiwi]

Google has the answer, do a search for download offline google maps

 

[anotherkiwi]

I just installed the latest version of Google Maps and it now has an easy integrated way of saving offline maps. And a route navigator!

 

[Deleted member 4366]

but I cannot figure out exactly how I download a route/map from google maps to view offline , so not using wi fi or internet
i have created a route on my pc and can send it to phone, not sure its a download

You bring up the map you want - as normal - then you use the menu, which has "off-line areas". Click on that to download all the maps around where you are. They stay on your phone for one month.

If you're daft enough to have bought a Windows phone or an iphone, good luck!

 

[Nealh]

bikehike.co.uk is quie good and quick when you want to plan a route, you can save the route to your pc and upload it to change or download straight to your device.

 

[Alan Quay]

If I want to do something off piste, and/or want to know elevation 'wheres the path' is my favourite.

http://wtp2.appspot.com/wheresthepath.htm

It allows me to compare two linked maps (you have to see it to understand), draw a track and measure it.

If you combine google maps photography with OS maps it's easy to determine rights of way/suitability of track.

I cycle various paths that Devon farmers were hoping would be forgotten.

I advise stout boots to deal with their four legged employee's who are often a little behind the curve with the Countryside and Rights of Way Act.