Tag: route planning
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Cycle Touring WhatsApp Groups For Global Long-Distance Riders
It’s the time of year when long-haul cycle tourers who earlier set off from Europe are approaching parts of the world where information about logistics – visas, border crossings, money exchange and transfer, taking bicycles on public transport, etc – is scarce and rapidly changing. And where forums such as Lonely Planet’s now-defunct Thorn Tree used to be the digital grapevine where cycle tourers would exchange such intel, it seems today’s version is the private WhatsApp group. Continue reading →
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No Stupid Questions: How Can I Use My Smartphone As A Bike GPS?
A reader writes: I would like up to date information on integrating my iPhone to my bikes as a GPS. Everything from safe phone mounting through power supply (I have built a usb feed into my elekky bike’s battery shoes) and route planning and following on the phone. I was raised on 1” OS and Bartholomew’s half inch maps. The half inch are unusable nowadays and the OS 1: 50,000 are too large but when folded into a map clip not big enough. I can read OS maps and like to see the Historical and Landscape information that may make a… Continue reading →
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No Stupid Questions: Where To Buy Cycle Touring Maps Of Europe & Morocco?
A reader writes: Thanks for the questions! This fits into the more general topic of route planning for cycle touring. I don’t get as many questions as you might imagine on this subject, so there’s actually plenty to say here. 1. Where Can I Buy Cycle Touring Maps Of Europe & Morocco? Honestly, it has been quite a long time since I used paper maps for navigation while cycle touring! Even before the rise of the incredibly accurate and detailed digital maps we nowadays take for granted, paper maps at a level of detail needed for turn-by-turn navigating were never big… Continue reading →
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No Stupid Questions: What’s The Best Route Planning & Campsite Finder App For Cycle Touring In The USA?
A reader writes: Are you familiar with [the Great American Rail Trail] at all? The route is currently about 55% off road and more complete in the east but there is an almost 1,000 [mile] gap through Montana and Wyoming. So my question is what app do you use when riding to find the best on-road [but] safe cycling conditions on the gap sections between trails? And do you have a favorite app to find accommodations: camping (preferred) or hotels on the route every few days? Thanks for the question! Let’s start with what might be called “dynamic” route planning for… Continue reading →
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No Stupid Questions: How To Plan Cycle Tours In Unusual Places (Like Jamaica)?
A reader writes: I am a new subscriber to your mailing list as I hope to get into travelling by bike. I was wondering if you have any insights about biking in Jamaica? While being there I will able to do both short and very long rides. So my questions are: Is it safe? Is Jamaica friendly to cyclists? I have a gravel bike and wondering what kind of wheels I may need in that country. Any route suggestions? Anything that you can provide I will greatly appreciate it. This is an interesting question for a couple of reasons. First,… Continue reading →