Best way to plan a day of cycling

[GuardTwin]

I want to spend a day cycling by planning some routes on my mac and transferring it onto my Garmin Edge Touring, is there a free program that allows me to do this or a cheap low cost one?

I'm trying to use base camp from Garmin but the map on the program does not have enough detail (like google maps) Am i missing an option on google maps that allows you to do this that i am not seeing? thanks!

 

[Stephen Piper]

I use http://www.bikehike.co.uk/ 'course creator' to plan a route and then save it to the garmin edge 200.

 

[PK99]

I want to spend a day cycling by planning some routes on my mac and transferring it onto my Garmin Edge Touring, is there a free program that allows me to do this or a cheap low cost one?

I'm trying to use base camp from Garmin but the map on the program does not have enough detail (like google maps) Am i missing an option on google maps that allows you to do this that i am not seeing? thanks!

Ride with GPS is great. Very easy to use, free and will export GPX etc very easily. Has a selection of map options including open street maps cycling version.

If I'm planning a route in a new area, I will often simply put in start and end points, let it decide a route, then drag that route to roads / villages I prefer the look of. In areas I do know it very often chooses the cycling routes I would have chosen.

 

[helston90]

I use http://www.bikehike.co.uk/ 'course creator' to plan a route and then save it to the garmin edge 200.

Love bikehike, so simple and feels like you're using google maps, I don't download and export but for route planning it's ace.
n.b. That's not to say 'ride with gps' isnt- I just find bikehike to fit my needs

 

[IDMark2]

Another vote for Ride with GPS here, easy export straight to Garmin and they have released an Android app recently as well which has got sound signals as an option for left or right turn ahead when you're following the route, so you can keep the phone in your pocket but still get subtle cues (as opposed to a disembodied voice as in a SatNav).

 

[Melonfish]

Pl.... PLaaaah.
no i don't get it, what is this strange word you speak?

 

[jayonabike]

http://ridewithgps.com is fantastic for plotting routes, and you can use streetview to see exactly where you are taking your bike. You can also save all your routes to your profile.

 

[MickeyBlueEyes]

I always use Garmin Connect for both planning and uploading rides. Always been faultless and dead easy to use. out of interest which maps have you got on your Touring ? I've not used Basecamp for a while but I do remember that if you use it without your Edge plugged into your computer you will only get the real basic map. Plug it in and then you can select which level of map you want to view I.e. 1:50000 or whatever. Basecamp will then use this map to display.

 

[Kbrook]

Can someone give me an idiots guide on how to own load a route from RidewithGPS to my Garmin. I have been at it for ages and can't figure it, do I need a paid for account? I have planned several routes and can't get them onto my Garmin at all. Thanks in advance

 

[ianrauk]

Can someone give me an idiots guide on how to own load a route from RidewithGPS to my Garmin. I have been at it for ages and can't figure it, do I need a paid for account? I have planned several routes and can't get them onto my Garmin at all. Thanks in advance

Simplest way.
On your 'My Routes' page.
Download (export) the tcx or gpx route file to your computer.
Once downloaded, drag and drop the file into the 'New Files' folder on the Garmin.

 

[jayonabike]

Can someone give me an idiots guide on how to own load a route from RidewithGPS to my Garmin. I have been at it for ages and can't figure it, do I need a paid for account? I have planned several routes and can't get them onto my Garmin at all. Thanks in advance

What Ian said. I was about to say the same. Also you don't need a paid account.

 

[PK99]

Simplest way.
On your 'My Routes' page.
Download (export) the tcx or gpx route file to your computer.
Once downloaded, drag and drop the file into the 'New Files' folder on the Garmin.

..... It will then load as a course when next you fire up the unit.

 

[Kbrook]

Thanks chaps will try again

 

[Kbrook]

Sorry guys where do I download this file to on my computer, and where do I find the new file folder. On the Garmin. I am useless with technology.

 

[GuardTwin]

http://ridewithgps.com is fantastic for plotting routes, and you can use streetview to see exactly where you are taking your bike. You can also save all your routes to your profile.

Thanks for this site, it is great!