Holiday navigation

pinarellokid
pinarellokid Posts: 1,208
edited March 2013 in Road general
Ok so thinking ahead I am off to France in may and am dreading the cost of using my iPhone

I am off to vendee and want to take my bike and ride but not sure of the best way to get around

I have a chance of borrowing my mates garmin 500 but with no maps I'd need to load the maps I want to ride
Is this the best option or is there a way of using my iPhone ???

Should I buy a local sim card?? Is that an option

Don't want to get lost and will struggle with my school boy French
Specialized S Works SL2 . Campagnolo Record 11spd. rolling on Campag Zonda wheels

http://app.strava.com/athletes/881211

Comments

  • Bobbinogs
    Bobbinogs Posts: 4,841
    I'm also off to France this year (Jura). I am in the process of doing what I always do with new rides in areas I am unfamiliar with: worked out a few routes on RidewithGPS and am now making a few audax style routecards (one line instructions such as "Turn right at T", "1st Left, signposted xxx", etc.). I will print and laminate the routes and stick them on a routecard holder. I will also be taking a local map.

    To be honest, I know there are higher tech solutions but I quite enjoy the effort of crafting and I like riding my bike without a satnav telling me where to go.

    Not sure that helps you. Knowing the Vendee (which is where I think you mean by vended) then the best thing to take is a friend who will sit on the front in a headwind :wink:. Oh, there was a thread on the Cafe Stop section last year where we all discussed the Vendee and I seem to recall some chaps having some great advice on good rides, etc.

    Anyway, must dash. I'm off to Chepstow via some laminated routecards :)
  • danlikesbikes
    danlikesbikes Posts: 3,898
    Bobbinogs wrote:

    To be honest, I know there are higher tech solutions but I quite enjoy the effort of crafting and I like riding my bike without a satnav telling me where to go.

    Very sound advice, even if you went with a cheap PAYG sim card if the battery goes dead on your phone etc then you still need to know where you are and where your going.

    Personally I have a Garmin but tend not to use if for route guidance but more of a back up if needed. Go old map/google maps version works. You could always plot your route & put in Iphone notes or plan on whatever computerised system and then screen shot in detail several pages into your Iphone which will appear in your photos and turn off your data roaming. You will still have the picture version of the maps just not the GPS tracking part.
    Pain hurts much less if its topped off with beating your mates to top of a climb.
  • sskelly
    sskelly Posts: 79
    Not sure who your provider is but vodafone something called euro traveller it costs £3 per day and allows you to use your standard tariff. So £21 for a week and no extra worries about cost (if you have an unlimited tariff). I am sure the other phone companies do something similar.
  • pinarellokid
    pinarellokid Posts: 1,208
    cheers guys..

    yes i did mean vendee.. i will get in touch with t mobile and see what they have to offer but i do like the sound of pics of maps.. that way is a good blend of old and new..

    will my phone record my strava without using data??
    does the gps count as data usage? im guessing not. think il turn roaming and stuff off and give it a try
    possibly try plane mode.. just dont want spanking like i got last year
    Specialized S Works SL2 . Campagnolo Record 11spd. rolling on Campag Zonda wheels

    http://app.strava.com/athletes/881211
  • sskelly
    sskelly Posts: 79
    GPS usage is free.
  • navrig
    navrig Posts: 1,352
    sskelly wrote:
    GPS usage is free.

    And Google maps can be saved on device.
  • njd37
    njd37 Posts: 162
    The edge 500 is only usefull for navigation if you pre plan your routes before going. You will also only get breadcrumb trail. You need the edge 800 for "propper" navigation. However haveing been to France last year to cycle you would be worthwhile picking up IGN 1:25k maps of the area your cycling in. You need 1:25k as there are loads and loads of little roads in France that at not marked on the larger scale maps. I used my iPhone from time to time as well. But generally used paper maps.
  • dabber
    dabber Posts: 1,978
    The IGN Blue Series maps are excellent... 1:25K
    I use them for planning routes in the Lot and they are great for exploring. It gives you the opportunity to look out some good climbs as well as the elevation data is pretty good. I then just write down a few basic key navigation points on a small bit of card that I have in one of my jersey pockets.

    You may be able to get these maps in advance... Amazon + others. If not, bookshops or supermarkets tend to have them for their local area.

    Edit.... just saw njd37's comments... agreed.
    “You may think that; I couldn’t possibly comment!”

    Wilier Cento Uno SR/Wilier Mortirolo/Specialized Roubaix Comp/Kona Hei Hei/Calibre Bossnut
  • pinarellokid
    pinarellokid Posts: 1,208
    Navrig wrote:
    sskelly wrote:
    GPS usage is free.

    And Google maps can be saved on device.

    How do you save maps on the iPhone for viewing later???
    Specialized S Works SL2 . Campagnolo Record 11spd. rolling on Campag Zonda wheels

    http://app.strava.com/athletes/881211
  • greasedscotsman
    greasedscotsman Posts: 6,962
    I find 1:25,000 a bit too detailed, it's bascially a walking map. I find 1:100,000 much easier to read and gives more than enough information.

    But you can get both from here.

    http://www.themapcentre.com/
  • njd37
    njd37 Posts: 162
    I tried 1:100 last year and they just don't have the little French roads on. Makes it a nightmare trying to navigate. I found most of the roads on the 1:100 were rather busy and when turning off onto the little back roads it was lovely and quiet.
  • greasedscotsman
    greasedscotsman Posts: 6,962
    I've found 1:100,000 fine for Paris Roubaix, lots of little roads there.

    Although the perfect scale would be the 1:50,000 Landranger, which of course IGN don't do. :(
  • Mikey23
    Mikey23 Posts: 5,306
    That old paper stuff for me too.. Going to the loire in may and my mate has got some michelins and he is going to carry them as well so result for me... Vendee is not renowned for its hills and can be very windy
  • njd37
    njd37 Posts: 162
    greasedscotsman wrote:
    I've found 1:100,000 fine for Paris Roubaix, lots of little roads there.

    Although the perfect scale would be the 1:50,000 Landranger, which of course IGN don't do. :(

    1:50k would be ideal, but sadly they don't do them.
  • southdownswolf
    southdownswolf Posts: 1,525
    I use a sat nav app called Sygic for getting around Europe. It cost about £40, but that is a one off fee and can be put on several devices for no extra cost. Maps are downloaded to your phone/tablet etc and so you just need GPS on. I normally have France, Spain and UK on my phone and download other countries as needed. Updates are free.
    http://www.stuartmole.co.uk/
  • tiredofwhiners
    tiredofwhiners Posts: 598
    Garmin + OpenStreetMaps for Europe is all you'd need.

    http://garmin.openstreetmap.nl/

    Choose your country and use the maps just like OS maps.

    Keep your phone for emergencies.
  • jameses
    jameses Posts: 653
    Old school paper maps for me. I used the yellow local michelin maps with no problems the last couple of times I was over, think they are 1:100,000 or possibly 1:150,000. They show enough detail (apart from navgating your way around cities; I printed more detailed city maps from google) without being too bulky or unwieldy.
  • navrig
    navrig Posts: 1,352
    pinarellokid wrote:
    Navrig wrote:
    sskelly wrote:
    GPS usage is free.

    And Google maps can be saved on device.

    How do you save maps on the iPhone for viewing later???

    Not sure about the iPhone but on my Android devices there is an option on the menu of Google maps to "make available" offline.

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