Websites for Route Planning

CanterburyTailwind

I've got this posted on the sportives forum as well, but I thought I'd see if you wise tourers had an idea as well....

I'm planning to do a 100-150mile ride, but not sure of the best route. I know there are websites for mapping routes that you've already done, or planning routes if you're in a car, but are there are any for bikes, that tell you stuff like, this road's mountainous, steer clear, or this A road is basically a motorway, you're best finding another route unless you want to be killed. Or even, although this road is small and empty, the road surface is like riding on the moon.

Any thoughts?

xilios

Here is a page that might be of use to you.
http://www.bikely.com/ here is a sample of one of our rides in italy last spring,
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Mo ... Montecreto .
Just click on the left side on show than elevation profile for more detail.

alanmcn1

I like mapmyrun.com. Free to join, just reguster, and then you can search lots of routes already mapped in any area you like

Mog Uk

http://www.mapmyride.com/

CanterburyTailwind

Thanks for these. However, neither have a facility for putting in your start destination and your end destination and then giving you the route. If you map your own ride, it's a bit hith and miss as to what you end up with, and it can only really show altitude, rather than overall best route.

Maybe such a facility doesn't exist, but I'm looking for something like the AA service which offers a route - http://www.theaa.com/travelwatch/planner_main.jsp - but for bikes.

adrianfitch

Have you tried viaMichelin?

It has a "by bike" option for route planning. I've used it for a few long distance rides and found it pretty good.

The url is http://www.viamichelin.co.uk

pneumatic

+1 for viamichelin. I use it frequently and it is not at all bad. You won't get your full road texture information but isn't that half the fun?!

CanterburyTailwind

thanks for the Michelin tip - I'll give it a go - sounds like it's exactly what I'm after.

ancientbiker

I've used Google Maps "get directions" for what you want. Go to Google Maps, type in your start and finish points, click on "avoid highways" and you get a route map. It is designed for cars but you can drag the route this way and that, on the screen to suit your own requirements and you can see the effect on total distance. Unfortunately iIt doesn't do elevations.

schlepcycling

How about http://bikeroutetoaster.com/

toodlelu

Have you checked out viamichelin.com
Be sure to tick the box for "bike"

fluff.

ancientbiker wrote:

I've used Google Maps .... Unfortunately iIt doesn't do elevations.

You can sort of get around this by exporting it to a gps format, then using software to produce an elevation profile. I use a free Firefox addon, which I forgot the name of being on my home pc, but can dig it out later.