Best (more detailed) maps for route planning ??

[Dave7]

My largest scale road map/atlas is 2 1/2 miles to the inch. Generally it is good enough.......especially for driving routes etc. BUT.........I am planning a 100 miler through Cheshire and am struggling to clearly see/define all the quiet roads through the various villages etc.
I have to wear distance specs for cycling and can only read very clear maps (without the pain of changing to my reading specs every 15 minutes).
I've had some good help on CC (offering various on line route planners) and have the general route planned but sometimes to get from point A to B it is just not clear enough.
Any suggestions ??
PS....I can look on one of the on-line route planners, zoom in and write the details but a map would be so much easier.

 

[vickster]

Get some varifocals?

Or use software on your phone that speaks to you! @jefmcg uses such

 

[roadrash]

Never mind maps just get peddaling before mrs dave sees this
https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/oh-s-t-i-am-in-serious-trouble-with-mrs-dave.196591/

 

[Crackle]

Go modern Dave. Download Mapyx, buy the OS tiles you need and print them out at the size you want on waterproof paper.

 

[jefmcg]

Get some varifocals?

Or use software on your phone that speaks to you! @jefmcg uses such

I think the above suggestions are pretty good. But because I've had a mention .... Using a phone or garmin on your handle bars can get around lots of reading problems. You need to preplan your rides at home, but it sounds like you are doing that already. Even if you can't read anything on the screen, you can still make out the lines and see where the turns are. And Osmand (Android) will speak directions from a preplanned route you give it.

Go modern Dave. Download Mapyx, buy the OS tiles you need and print them out at the size you want on waterproof paper.

Printing out a map isn't modern. This is modern

( in case it's necessary)

 

[Ajax Bay]

Distilling your problem, @Dave7 , your eyesight needs large scale clear maps (1:50,000 say, which will give you the detail you need) but at that scale their format (ie size for 20km say) is unmanageable during the ride, or you'd spend disproportionate time refolding/rearranging. For planning Cheshire rides, 4 maps (117, 118, 126 and 127) will give you what you need. If copyright law allowed (and maybe it does for personal use) one might find that a linear ~71% reduced (eg A3 > A4) version (which gives one a 1:100,000 image) would meet the needs you describe, and is manageable in strips. I acknowledge this is a paper solution and others above have mooted the technological options.

 

[jefmcg]

Never mind maps just get peddaling before mrs dave sees this
https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/oh-s-t-i-am-in-serious-trouble-with-mrs-dave.196591/

No point replying. He hasn't been seen since shortly after posting this. Mrs Dave is baking his remains into pies as we speak.

 

[Joffey]

Just buy a Garmin. Problem solved.

 

[mcshroom]

Go modern Dave. Download Mapyx, buy the OS tiles you need and print them out at the size you want on waterproof paper.

This. The 1:250k tiles are free, and you can magnify the map if needed

 

[Crackle]

This. The 1:250k tiles are free, and you can magnify the map if needed

Yes I forgot to mention that and 1:250k is often all you need for cycling.

 

[Pale Rider]

Just buy a Garmin. Problem solved.

Yeah, a fiddly gadget with a tiny screen sounds just the job for someone with poor reading eyesight.

 

[Joffey]

Yeah, a fiddly gadget with a tiny screen sounds just the job for someone with poor reading eyesight.

Eh? Garmin offer the ideal solution!

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Go modern Dave. Download Mapyx, buy the OS tiles you need and print them out at the size you want on waterproof paper.

I'm not sure if it was a one off or still available but mapyx made all the Open Street Maps available for free and you can use the magnification that suits. I use the most detailed OS maps, printed out at a ratio of 1:7000 so that I can read them without resorting to glasses. But when it's a one off ride in an area that I don't have the OS tiles for I've printed off OSM pages. (note: time consuming on a slow internet connection). Never thought of using waterproof paper, though. I'd have thought waterproof ink would also be needed.

 

[mcshroom]

An A4 plastic wallet should make it pretty waterproof. Maybe tape the open end if you're really worried

 

[Crackle]

I'd have thought waterproof ink would also be needed

Apparently not. You need different paper for inkjet versus laser but all the reviews I've read say it remains waterproof. I am about to purchase some myself as I haven't tried it yet, having used mcshroom's method.