How do you decide your routes?

Graeme Jones

Now I am capable of enough miles not to worry about not getting home I am thinking about throwing the bike in the back of the car and heading out to North Wales. How do you G :?: uys and Gals find out about the best rides on offer

houndlegs

I've got OS maps of my local areas.
Sometimes I sit and plan a route on the map before I set off and try to follow that.
Sometimes I just ride, with the map in my pocket, with no idea of where I'm heading, and just check the map every now and again, to give me an idea of where I am.
The second option can, and does, result in me being lost a lot but I think that just adds to the fun.

rosavillewill

I go to garmin connect and search the area i am cycling to see what routes in the area other riders have put up

Will

Gizmodo

I go to Strava and use the Segment Explore feature to see segments others have made. You can then click on an individual's time, Back to Ride, and then you see their whole ride.

Then I use ridewithgps.com to map intended route and export it to my Garmin.

Mikey23

i tend to ride out and back. not got lost yet

ricklilley

As i'm still building up my miles i've been using mapmyride to search for local routes that others have posted up. Then i adjust the start finish points to suit myself.

Grill

Mikey23 wrote:

i tend to ride out and back. not got lost yet

I do the same, but tend to get very lost. Works well, as my 40 mile route yesterday quickly turned into 60.

t.m.h.n.e.t

Open door

Step out

Look up

Search for grey cloud

If grey cloud found - proceed to ride away from it

If no grey cloud found - ride wherever

If eyes stinging and face wet - stay home

Graeme Jones

T.M.H.N.E.T wrote:

Open door

Step out

Look up

Search for grey cloud

If grey cloud found - proceed to ride away from it

If no grey cloud found - ride wherever

If eyes stinging and face wet - stay home

Love it!

Just planned a ride with a couple of the lads from Buxton to Matlock and back at 63 miles for August B'hol will be longest ride yet and no doubt highest climb so need to get more miles on the saddle!

fludey

Pick somewhere, head in general direction and follow signs, if going round n back find different route back...if just riding out tell wifey where I'll be to get lift back.

Normally works...well so far.

nathb84

I use map my ride, great little tool in my opinion. The elevation tool is fantastic, lets you see the climbs and in my case map around them. I have have made the mistake before of just using a road map and hitting some hideous climbs i am not cut out for.

alihisgreat

I use BikeHike and strava to plan and find routes with nice hills in.

adm1

I use MapMyRide for a general route idea, then just go and ride it, but shoot off down any interesting little roads I might see.

I have a pretty good sense of direction, so have never got lost in my life! Also having a GPS helps.

alpineaddict

I use RideWithGPS or Garmin Connect and plot a route/routes... Upload to Garmin and the head off... I too am thinking of heading to the Brecon Beacons or North Wales in August so will be interested to hear of your routes... There are quite a few on RideWithGOS already

Maybe I am just too organised but I like t know where I am going and like to plan routes that will give me what I want... Scenic, challenging, a few climbs, and most importantly, as far away from main roads as possible...

HTH buddy and enjoy..

DanSound

open met office website
check wind direction
head out facing the wind
get knackered
get more knackered
ride home as fast as I can to get average back up to 15mph+
Check Strava
Console myself that the bits I was rubbish on were due to heading in to the wind

ricklilley

Well this afternoon i went out to do a route i've done before, but then decided instead of coming back along a busyish A-road i'd see where a different road went.

Result, a 32 mile ride on some lovely quiet country roads. Will definately go that way again!

Graeme Jones

I went out to do a 30 mile ride that I did a few days ago and changed it up still doing 30 miles in 1hr 57mins with 1200ft of elevation so pretty happy with that. I decided to just turn off and go down a few roads I had not gone down before.

dw300

If you just turn left at every junction you'll eventually end up back home ..

.. eventually.