Do you have a destination in mind or...

Saldawop

do you just go out for a ride?

Duffer65

I usually have a ride of a certain milage that I use and sometimes loop that, or plan out an alternative route the day before. Although if you live in a more rural area I expect it's nice to just head out and see where you end up.

ollyridesfirst

I always like to end the day back at home

Since the Garmin 800 i think me and 2 mates just try to get lost, then find our way back...

Saldawop

OK so its a good idea to have specific routes? I guess that makes sense ...you know the mileage of your route,you can work on getting better at specific parts of the ride that are slowing you down and you can race against yourself trying to beat your previous time.

Saldawop

I live in middle of London so getting lost isnt really an option, at least not yet.I am new to cycling so am struggling to ride far enough to get lost :oops: .

Saldawop

I think I need to structure my rides. I find it quite boring just riding aimlessly around, and usually end up doing less than intended.
But when I have a destination in mind I seem a bit more focused.Even if its just riding to a certain point and then heading straight back.

briantrumpet

I always plan first - now I've got a number of known routes of various lengths, I either go on one of them (so know pretty much when I'll get back home), or I deliberately try to find roads on the map I haven't explored before. And if I know my route, I don't have to carry lots of maps to help me find my way home .... Devon's a big county to get lost in, and it's got 8,000 miles of roads to help you get lost.

Wacky Racer

Definitely in the main I have prepared routes, but because I live in a rural area I occasionally find myself venturing off route to see what is there. I have country lanes on my routes where I don't even see a car after 7pm, nor do I see cars early at the weekend, so it does become more tempting to have a pootle around sometimes and just see where I get to.

fludey

I have some regular planned routes, but sometime living in more rural areas it's good to just go out and see where the bike takes you, head out for half the milage and then find a route back.
In fact that's how a lot of my regular routes have been put together, and always have the trusty iPhone with maps if I get lost.

MountainMonster

If I ride alone, I normally just go out and take random turns, but with a general direction in mind of where I want to go. When with my group though, we normally have a set route and destination about 60km away, depending on amount of climbing to be done.

I find both types of rides to be awesome. Love the feeling of exploring, but also like knowing exactly how much farther I need to pedal for a beer stop!

BelgianBeerGeek

I have a mileage in mind rather than a route, go out and at around the half way point turn round and loop back home, which gets extended if I'm really enjoying myself.

Also have a few favourite set routes which are useful for gauging fitness as you can compare your ride against the last time you completed it.

anto164

Living on the tip of a small peninsular, it's hard to do different routes. I tend to do different loops, do things backwards, try to spice it up. It's hard to get lost for me, as i have to do 40mi+ loop to get off the peninsular.

on the road

I usually have a series of destinations, when I reach the first destination then it's straight on to the next without stopping, then straight on to the next and so on.

Evilbug

I have a series of routes of different distances and take turns in riding them. It may sound strange but I like riding routes that I don't know where I am because my mind really tries to turn me over by saying I'll never make it back if I know where I am lol

andyrr

I've always liked to have a route in mind, same if I go abroad, check the may, see a route that maybe have a climb on it or a town that I'll make the furtherst point. Prefer that to getting the map out constantly wondering if taking THAT road will add on 30 miles to my route or taking THIS road will make the ride too short. Sometimes make changes on the fly if I start feeling more tired / better but deffo prefer to have a basic route plan in mind when I set off.

Philby

I usually have a rough idea of a direction out from Bristol and then adapt the route as I go along depending on how fit I feel, weather conditions etc.

Swinston

I have pre planned loops set up and find this is more constructive than just diving straight out there. Although it can be very exciting to just throw yourself in a random direction and see what happens. However when I do this I start racing anything that moves quickly, which tends to cause an abrupt end to what was meant to last a lot longer.

That said I find just going off in random directions works better with more people and lasts much longer.

geoff_ss

I've been roaming around Derbyshire for over 50 years so I have a pretty good idea where most of the lanes go. I have a general plan and adjust it if necessary as I go along. I might take an OS map with me to jog my memory.

If we're away from home we usually plan the ride and my navigator tells me where to go as she's been doing for the last 40 odd years As long as I have her I have no need of a GPS.

furrag

I decide on the day:

- Duration of the ride
- Intensity (usually dictates mileage)
- Workout decides the terrain - flat/clear threshold, hills for VO2max, nice quiet roads for sprints.
- Check forecast for places I'll pass through
- Pack food/drink/money accordingly

bobtbuilder

I always plan my routes, and nearly always to include certain climbs.

MattC59

I tend to plan out a route, that way, I can plan for distance or to include some hills.
There are lots of mapping websites out there, I use http://www.mapmyride.com/ which seems pretty good and is also appears to be accurate with the distances. I use the free version, but if you upgrade (and pay a subscription) you get printable maps. I believe that they're going to be offering pay as you go printable maps soon.

Jason82

I don't plan just decide which direction i want to head in roughly and get on with it finding out where mysterious roads lead is always good. Especiailly local roads because you can say ahh that's where it goes must've driven past some of them loads of times wondering where they all went. Also staying local means you don't get lost so easily and you find new garden centres and shops you didn't know about.

centimani

I only plan one thing...to have the wind against me on the way out. That way, however far you go, you'll have an easier ride back.
Nothing worse than overdoing it then fighting the wind when you're already tired.

So whichever way the winds blowing dictates my route.