Do You Plan Your Rides, or Follow Your Nose?

[bpsmith]

I tend to decide on the fly. Never travel far South though. Probably due to not being a strong swimmer.

 

[pjd57]

I used to stick to the forth and Clyde canal a lot but then you end up at either Bowling or the Kelpies.
Both fine but a bit of variety is good.
I prefer a loop over an out and back

 

[Welsh wheels]

I must confess to being very much a nose follower. Very rarely do I plan my routes, I tend to hop on the bike and head off in a direction, then vary as I go. This does tend to lead to me following the same old routes.
In an effort to explore more, I signed up to Veloviewer and discovered the joys of square hunting, which has worked quite well.
As we approach 2018 I find myself contemplating the Imperial Century a Month Challenge, and really need to organise myself into route planning.

I normally plan which roads I am going to take. I am not a fan of exploring random new roads because you can end up on very narrow roads quickly, which again I am not a fan of.

 

[galaxy]

Just having time to get out at the. Moment would be good enough. Roll on retirement

 

[Deleted member 1258]

I usually have a destination and a route in my head, but sometimes I'll vary the route and make it up as I go along

 

[Dave 123]

Usually a bit of both. It all depends if I'm solo or tandem.

 

[classic33]

A check on the maps to get an idea of what to expect between start & finish on the longer rides, then it's follow my nose.

Follow my nose on the shorter rides. "Wonder where that road goes?" at times.

 

[derrick]

Lots of routes in my head, i just follow my nose. if the weather is good i will go exploring.

 

[Katherine]

I must confess to being very much a nose follower. Very rarely do I plan my routes, I tend to hop on the bike and head off in a direction, then vary as I go. This does tend to lead to me following the same old routes.
In an effort to explore more, I signed up to Veloviewer and discovered the joys of square hunting, which has worked quite well.
As we approach 2018 I find myself contemplating the Imperial Century a Month Challenge, and really need to organise myself into route planning.

You can search for other people's routes and rides on some of the route planning apps. I know you can on ride with gps.

 

[NorthernDave]

I know most of the local roads that are good to cycle on, so most of the time I've already got a route in mind when I set off.
I rarely go west, as that's into the city and don't often head south as that's down into the Aire Valley which means a long drag of a climb back home on a limited number of busier routes.
So most routes tend to be north, northwest or to the East.
Wind direction and strength also plays a part, although it's generally from the west so heading east (most of my routes) means it's a headwind on the way back.
I do intend to explore a bit more next year though, time permitting.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

You can search for other people's routes and rides on some of the route planning apps. I know you can on ride with gps.

All my rides on Ride With GPS are public.

 

[biggs682]

Most times i know whether i am turning left or right at the bottom of the street from there onwards by nose

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Varies but I like seeking out ways I do not normally go. So if there is a junction I always go left I will go right some days and see where I end up. I know enough of the villages and lanes to find my way back.

 

[LeetleGreyCells]

I always plan out a route with Google My Maps then import it into Cyclemeter on my phone.

If I spot a road/bridleway I think I’d like to try, I remember it then include it on my next plotted route.

 

[pjd57]

In a pre Strava age , I used to write them down afterwards in a notebook.
I would sometimes include suggestions for variations , or what I enjoyed , things to avoid etc.
It's good to go back and read through them.

Note to self for 2018.

Start a new notebook for routes and rides.