Planning routes on Google Maps
#26
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Since RWGPS has been mentioned multiple times, Ill add that I am pretty annoyed with how the system categorizes what is paved and unpaved riding.
I use RWGPS to create routes and whenever this feature was added, it was added too soon since it is so very wrong(at least in the 3 metros I have used it).
It labels maybe 20% of gravel roads as 'unpaved'. I personally dont care because I happen to know what is and isnt gravel, but it would really screw someone over if they didnt know ahead of time.
I use RWGPS to create routes and whenever this feature was added, it was added too soon since it is so very wrong(at least in the 3 metros I have used it).
It labels maybe 20% of gravel roads as 'unpaved'. I personally dont care because I happen to know what is and isnt gravel, but it would really screw someone over if they didnt know ahead of time.
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#27
Senior Member
Since RWGPS has been mentioned multiple times, Ill add that I am pretty annoyed with how the system categorizes what is paved and unpaved riding.
I use RWGPS to create routes and whenever this feature was added, it was added too soon since it is so very wrong(at least in the 3 metros I have used it).
It labels maybe 20% of gravel roads as 'unpaved'. I personally dont care because I happen to know what is and isnt gravel, but it would really screw someone over if they didnt know ahead of time.
I use RWGPS to create routes and whenever this feature was added, it was added too soon since it is so very wrong(at least in the 3 metros I have used it).
It labels maybe 20% of gravel roads as 'unpaved'. I personally dont care because I happen to know what is and isnt gravel, but it would really screw someone over if they didnt know ahead of time.
And wouldn't unpaved mean a gravel road or dirt two track?
#28
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edit: for those that haven't used one of the above services, this may give you a better idea of what we mean. The darker the lines, the more cyclists there are riding on a given segment. RwGPS and Strava will both weigh this data in connecting the dots between desired stops/waypoints -
Last edited by WhyFi; 09-08-21 at 08:22 AM.
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#29
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Good point. I've never really used either of those for routing, I might have to start because I'm getting a bit tired of the same old same old. I've tried using Komoot for it, but it's not good at distinguishing good running routes from cycling routes.
Might be fun to trade bad routing suggestion anecdotes. My second worst one from GM was when it tried to put me on a path that is a rapidly flowing creek without rideable banks for a good part of the year. Guess which part of the year it was.
#30
Old enough, hmmm?
I use Google Map Pedometer https://www.mappedometer.com/
It does precisely what I want., nothing else required.
As far as results go Garmin Connect works for me.
It does precisely what I want., nothing else required.
As far as results go Garmin Connect works for me.
#31
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#32
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RwGPS and Strava both route using popularity, based upon cyclist ride data; unless you've got a bunch of thrill-seeking cyclists regularly riding through the range, neither would route you through it.
edit: for those that haven't used one of the above services, this may give you a better idea of what we mean. The darker the lines, the more cyclists there are riding on a given segment. RwGPS and Strava will both weigh this data in connecting the dots between desired stops/waypoints -
edit: for those that haven't used one of the above services, this may give you a better idea of what we mean. The darker the lines, the more cyclists there are riding on a given segment. RwGPS and Strava will both weigh this data in connecting the dots between desired stops/waypoints -
#33
Sunshine
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- the issue I mention is that gravel roads, which have been gravel roads since well before GPS was a thing, are listed as paved. This then does not apply to your comment since there is no change.
- if they cant keep up with changes, then they shouldnt offer the option. If this were a mile here and a mile there that is incorrect, it would be easy to chalk that up to changing road conditions that havent been changed in the system. This is especially true if they show gravel and the road sections are now paved since that is the most common road condition change. Having 80% of the gravel roads show as paved is a very different situation- being that incorrect makes the feature pretty useless.
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#34
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#35
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I agree, that is unreasonable.
- the issue I mention is that gravel roads, which have been gravel roads since well before GPS was a thing, are listed as paved. This then does not apply to your comment since there is no change.
- if they cant keep up with changes, then they shouldnt offer the option. If this were a mile here and a mile there that is incorrect, it would be easy to chalk that up to changing road conditions that havent been changed in the system. This is especially true if they show gravel and the road sections are now paved since that is the most common road condition change. Having 80% of the gravel roads show as paved is a very different situation- being that incorrect makes the feature pretty useless.
- the issue I mention is that gravel roads, which have been gravel roads since well before GPS was a thing, are listed as paved. This then does not apply to your comment since there is no change.
- if they cant keep up with changes, then they shouldnt offer the option. If this were a mile here and a mile there that is incorrect, it would be easy to chalk that up to changing road conditions that havent been changed in the system. This is especially true if they show gravel and the road sections are now paved since that is the most common road condition change. Having 80% of the gravel roads show as paved is a very different situation- being that incorrect makes the feature pretty useless.
If you don't like the option, turn it off.
RWGPS isn't a mapping company. It's a "use map data" company.
The road surface option might encourage people to update the map data (RWGPS appears to use Openstreetmap data for the road surfaces).
#36
Senior Member
For off road riding, Google maps can be useful because you can see where what they call a 'road' ends, but there is often some sort of cut in the trees beyond that might be passable. One of my favourite mixed terrain loops isn't a loop on Google Maps, but you can clearly see a road coming from the North and a road coming from the south with a gap of a few hundred meters of some type of cut in the trees.
I don't carry any type of odometer or distance measuring tool when I ride, so I often use Google maps to estimate my ride distance after I get home, if I can remember which way I went.
I don't carry any type of odometer or distance measuring tool when I ride, so I often use Google maps to estimate my ride distance after I get home, if I can remember which way I went.
#37
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If a driveway was properly identified as such or a private drive was labeled right, it'd likely save someone's life.
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#38
I will generally use RWGPS but will also consult the google when necessary. In the ~100 mile radius around where I live there is a lot of really bad map data; often times with roads being a hundred feet from where they actually are, intersections in the wrong place, or most frustrating miles of spiderwebbing farm tracks and driveways (which are usually gated and locked anyway) all over the place that software thinks are navigable roads. Therefore, I've started heavily editing roads in open street map to reflect reality and I would urge everyone else to do the same. It helps everyone else out too when that map data trickles down into all the other mapping softwares that use OSM.
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#39
Senior Member
I will generally use RWGPS but will also consult the google when necessary. In the ~100 mile radius around where I live there is a lot of really bad map data; often times with roads being a hundred feet from where they actually are, intersections in the wrong place, or most frustrating miles of spiderwebbing farm tracks and driveways (which are usually gated and locked anyway) all over the place that software thinks are navigable roads. Therefore, I've started heavily editing roads in open street map to reflect reality and I would urge everyone else to do the same. It helps everyone else out too when that map data trickles down into all the other mapping softwares that use OSM.
#40
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I agree, that is unreasonable.
- the issue I mention is that gravel roads, which have been gravel roads since well before GPS was a thing, are listed as paved. This then does not apply to your comment since there is no change.
- if they cant keep up with changes, then they shouldnt offer the option.
- the issue I mention is that gravel roads, which have been gravel roads since well before GPS was a thing, are listed as paved. This then does not apply to your comment since there is no change.
- if they cant keep up with changes, then they shouldnt offer the option.