How do you plan your rides?

My longest ride is 50 miles, I'll be looking to do 50+ this weekend and I'm currently plotting my route (I'll most likely get lost but that's another issue), I tend to head for something specific, a particular climb maybe, but in general I aim for a place far enough out to allow my planned mileage to be covered. I live in Derbyshire so flat rides have never really been an option unless I head into Nottinghamshire (I'm on the border of both), my rides are normally around Matlock, Ashbourne, Peak district etc so as a relative newcomer I always tend to factor in the climbs and not being over familiar with the area I always check the roads on Google street view. I use Garmin Connect, sometimes gmap-pedometer and also MapMyRide as that gives the elevation too.
As I go further I'm also trying to factor in where a garage might be or shop to replenish water etc. I wondered how others did their planning.
Thanks
As I go further I'm also trying to factor in where a garage might be or shop to replenish water etc. I wondered how others did their planning.
Thanks
Trainer Road Blog: https://hitthesweetspot.home.blog/
Cycling blog: https://harderfasterlonger.wordpress.com/
Blog: https://supermurphtt2015.wordpress.com/
TCTP: https://supermurph.wordpress.com/
Cycling blog: https://harderfasterlonger.wordpress.com/
Blog: https://supermurphtt2015.wordpress.com/
TCTP: https://supermurph.wordpress.com/
0
Posts
If im riding by myself I usually head off with a cafe in mind and then meander over throwing in or taking out diversions along the way.
With company its usually up for debate but I really don't mind as long as it's hilly, smooth and light on traffic.
Desmond Tutu
Certainly nice to find that combo. I've heard others talk about wind direction, it always seems to be in my face!! I'll live with that as I've enough to contend with, seriously, directional sense is terrible!!
Cycling blog: https://harderfasterlonger.wordpress.com/
Blog: https://supermurphtt2015.wordpress.com/
TCTP: https://supermurph.wordpress.com/
I only go out when it is sunny, I'm out a lot
I guess we all have different reasons for getting out on the bike and the type of experience we are after, I admire your approach.
Cycling blog: https://harderfasterlonger.wordpress.com/
Blog: https://supermurphtt2015.wordpress.com/
TCTP: https://supermurph.wordpress.com/
In time you should be able to make dozens of routes in different directions, you'll be able to customise the routes to suit the conditions and how you feel on the day. We're spoilt for choice for routes and it's really hard to get lost in Derbyshire.
I try to make sure that's the case. Rowsley Bar climb will appear at 38 miles, then its pretty much downhill home for 12 miles.
Cycling blog: https://harderfasterlonger.wordpress.com/
Blog: https://supermurphtt2015.wordpress.com/
TCTP: https://supermurph.wordpress.com/
Pretty much in the same way as you do.
To help when I first starting doing longer rides & stop the getting lost part I would use a looped route that I know and add another small part say 5 miles in. Look it up on the map and just remember where the junction off was and what road sign I was looking for & then follow that. After a few rides you get to know the extra parts and learn all the back roads and where they connect. If you do this enough you should get a better understand of how the outlying villages run into each other & you can very easily build them into a new loop and start learning over again.
Cycling blog: https://harderfasterlonger.wordpress.com/
Blog: https://supermurphtt2015.wordpress.com/
TCTP: https://supermurph.wordpress.com/
Been doing it on the road now for about 3-4 years and still finding new places. Plus I generally know where I am so if I need to call a ride off early or feeling pretty good and want to extend it I;m less worried about it as I know quite a few different ways of doing it.
Plus me and a few guys are always looking for that one perfect bit of road where it rolls fast no cars good scenery. Plus you can always come back and use for a bit of sprint/hill training whatever takes your fancy.
this is what i plan with, and i like the way i can see the distance and elevation on it
i luckily already use the wind ideas to help me home.
i live in manchester so can ride the flats to cheshire or hills of peak district, been hiding away from hills if im honest but now like the challenge they bring. but do want to venture further out this year..
never go on a big ride without a little planning
http://app.strava.com/athletes/881211
But when I get home is always good to compare the route once uploaded to others I have done and see where area's are close together so I can easily add bits together next time.