Hadrians Cycleway NCN 72- GPS or phone mapping?

[gedstaxi]

Hi, I am so untechy I am not even sure of the right way to ask the question!!

I, in my wisdom (??) took on the challenge of organising a group of 16 cyclists to do the Coast to Coast in September. The cycling bit is going to be a scoosh after all the logistics for everyone coming from all over the UK - and Zurich.

However, I can only seem to find hard copy map books and although I have recce'd the route by car several folk have asked if they can upload the route onto their phones etc just in case they get lost?! 5 car support should hopefully reduce that risk but since much of day 1 is on footpaths then there is always a possibility!!

So, does anyone know of any high tech versions of the route or how we/they can get this??

cheers!

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Do you mean the Coast to Coast route or the Hadrian's Wall Cycle route? They are different routes and you refer to both....

I am cycling the Hadrian's Wall Cycle Route in a couple of weeks time. My understanding is that it is a well signposted route.

This is a private website that some one has constructed, http://www.cycle-routes.org/hadrianscycleway/ and this link takes you directly to 'his' GPS routes http://www.cycle-routes.org/hadrianscycleway/gps-mapping/gpsmap-index.html - these are not official versions, but are something someone has put together, but there is a gpx file which can be downloaded, though it looks to be around 7 years old, so I am not bothering with it.

http://www.visithadrianswall.co.uk/things-to-do/cycling/hadrians-cycleway is an official website, but does not give much info tbh but it does show signposts which look pretty clear.

There is a map, which is not hard to get hold of, I purchased it from this UK website http://dash4it.co.uk/uk-maps/publisher-brand/sustrans-ncn/ncn-hadrian-s-cycleway.html

 

[DefBref]

Use one of the many online route mapping websites, to map your route. I use ridewithgps.com but there are loads of them:

mapmyride
bikehike
gpspies
strava
plus probably a dozen more!


Having cycled the Hadrians cycleway many times, it is a well sign posted route, only problem is probably going thru carlisle as the riverside route is awkward with stairs to climb down so I tend to stick to the road through carlisle.

 

[Soltydog]

Just did the Hadrians cycleway (again) last month with a group from work. It is a very well signposted route & the group only got lost once, that was after leaving the hotel in Carlisle trying to find their way back to the route, nothing to do with me, I was driving the support vehicle at the time

 

[DefBref]

This is a private website that some one has constructed, http://www.cycle-routes.org/hadrianscycleway/ and this link takes you directly to 'his' GPS routes http://www.cycle-routes.org/hadrianscycleway/gps-mapping/gpsmap-index.html - these are not official versions, but are something someone has put together, but there is a gpx file which can be downloaded, though it looks to be around 7 years old, so I am not bothering with it.

To be fair the website is ran by the guy who I believe was (is?) the local sustran ranger for the route, so he should know it pretty well

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

To be fair the website is ran by the guy who I believe was (is?) the local sustran ranger for the route, so he should know it pretty well

wasn't aware of that, so hopefully the files being 7 years old should not be an issue then?

 

[DefBref]

If I was the OP, I would use them as a starting point but still check them and possibly still create my own. For instance I know there is now a cycle path between Maryport and Allonby that only recently opened, which wouldn't show on a 7 year old gpx, but as it follows along right beside the old route on the road, I'm not sure it would make a difference.

As has been said, the route is well sign posted and difficult to get lost on.

EDIT: Thinking about it, i would probably do my own for a group as large as the OP's, that way you can direct them to the coffee stops and accomodation, which are likely to be off the official route.

 

[mcshroom]

Considering how many needless stretches of gravel there are on that new cycle path, I'd think the road route on the old gpx files would be a better option.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Considering how many needless stretches of gravel there are on that new cycle path, I'd think the road route on the old gpx files would be a better option.

depends if you are on a road bike or an off-road touring bike. For me, and I am cycling it in 2 weeks or so, I'm not that bothered by the off-road sections and enjoy them, gravel or tarmac. the only thing I don't do are beaches - done that in Denmark, don't need to do it again! (helped that it was a nudist beach mind you, it took your mind off the exceptionally hard work that cycling a laden mountain bike along a beach is!)

 

[Cush]

Considering how many needless stretches of gravel there are on that new cycle path, I'd think the road route on the old gpx files would be a better option.

I agree I do not use it now, too much chopping and changing between gravel and excellent surface and crossing from one side of the road to the other.

 

[DefBref]

Considering how many needless stretches of gravel there are on that new cycle path, I'd think the road route on the old gpx files would be a better option.

Never used it myself, always stick to the road considering how it seems to cross back and forth across the road, seems simpler and faster to stick to the road.

@SatNavSaysStraightOn There is a almost beach section between Seascale and Sellafield, its on a path but right next to the beach and sand can drift across it and become quite deep in places. I did a video for another member on here to try and demonstrate the surface to them, Cycling on the A595

 

[Soltydog]

That had changed from the last time I did it, but riding in a group of 7, it was better to be off the road & on a cycle track, as the road was quite busy on the Sunday we were there. Riding alone on a road bike I'd probably stay on the road though

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

what's the alternative to the steps in Carlisle please?
they looked steep in one of those videos...

 

[DefBref]

As you come in to Carlisle down Burgh Road, don't turn off down Marconi road (which leads to the steps), continue on and join Newtown Road, then before the roundabout join the cycle path pass ing by the castle into Bitts Park and rejoin the 72 there.

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/5724153

 

[DefBref]

Its difficult to see on the map but you dont go to the roundabout near the end of the map I plotted, you turn off down into Bitts Park and then go under the main road in a subway. On the ridewithgps route it looks like you just turn right after the roundabout!