Messages

1

Gear Talk / Re: Backroads maps of the US.

« on: November 08, 2012, 11:47:04 am »

I think back five or so years ago saying I only wanted to use paper maps too. That is until a friend was good enough to spend three hours showing me the various options of a Garmin 605. It provided the feature I wanted which was to create a route on Google Map or other internet mapping system then download it to my GPS. Since then I have not gone back to the paper maps. I've found Google Map Street View to be a real help. Even if the road is not photographed I can view down the road at an intersection and get an Idea if I want to put it on the route for verification list. It also allows zooming in and see road surfaces however this is subjective at times.
Some of the shortcomings are of course battery life, and not as friendly when diverting off the track to another point.

2

Routes / Re: What will be the best route for Indianapolis, IN to Washington DC

« on: August 03, 2012, 10:53:02 pm »

I have routes across Indiana from Danville Illinois to Cincinnati or Louisville and from there you can pick up routes in Kentucky to West Virginia at the KBBC site   
http://transportation.ky.gov/bike-walk/Pages/default.aspx

Check out my blog for Indiana and some Kentucky routes :   http://backroadsofindiana.blogspot.com/
These are remote road routes on paved roads with little traffic.
Good luck on your trip.
Charlie Myer

3

Routes / Re: need safe route please

« on: June 28, 2012, 08:25:06 am »

Hopefully I can help you with some routing in KY.
Check out my blog/site (below) for remote routes. I have a few routes that can be linked together to get you just West of Lexington where you should be able to work your way into town.
You can cross the Ohio River at Cincinnati or better yet catch the ferry to Augusta Kentucky
(link below to video) where George Clooney grew up, quaint old river town.
I'm working on a route between West Lebanon OH and the ferry terminal across from Agusta KY. This would link the Little Miami Trail remotely to the ferry terminal and bypass the greater Cincinnati area. Let me know if this would help!
You'll find my routes on paved remote roads with little traffic. The downer for some is that they are most always more mileage however the scenery is always worth it, IMO!!
Feel free to email me if you need more info.
Hopefully this helps!
Charlie Myer
http://backroadsofindiana.blogspot.com/
Little Miami Bike trail: http://littlemiamibiketrail.com/
Ferry to Agusta, KY:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIOBgCSp74c&feature=youtube_gdata_player

4

Connecting ACA Routes / Re: Trans AM Kentucky - off-route to Louisville

« on: June 19, 2012, 12:43:13 pm »

Kentucky riding can be some of the most beautiful and challenging riding you'll find in the Midwest. Unfortunately it is challenging to enter into Louisville. Once out of town however there are fantastic roads available.
Here are some resources for good routes:
http://transportation.ky.gov/bike-walk/Pages/default.aspx
http://backroadsofindiana.blogspot.com/
Give KY a chance, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.
Charlie Myer

5

Routes / Re: Mammouth Caves Loop, Kentucky to Asheville, NC

« on: February 27, 2012, 10:21:55 am »

Jenny's suggestion to look at the state information is good. Just incase you haven't found the routing for KY here's a direct link to the site:  http://transportation.ky.gov/bike-walk/Documents/KentuckyBikeTours.kmz

Charlie

6

Routes / Re: Suitability mapping?

« on: November 07, 2011, 11:28:24 am »

I appreciate all the info that others are providing on suitability and i'm sure it is interesting to many so I'm not discouraging it however I do hope to gather more specific data on this topic.
So if I could ask you to visit my blog at :  http://backroadsofindiana.blogspot.com/
and cast a vote for your preference;
1. routes assembled using suitability data
2. routes on remote paved county roads
3. shortest route between two points

Thanks
Charlie

7

Routes / Re: Suitability mapping?

« on: November 06, 2011, 08:27:46 am »

"Grunt work" is one of the things that I focus on. If there's enough cyclists out there who really use this type of info then I see a need. So that's the purpose of my original post. Are there really cyclists who want/use this info?
Your response would help!
Thanks
Indianacharlie

8

Routes / Suitability mapping?

« on: November 05, 2011, 10:11:11 pm »

There seems to be a push among many states to provide suitability mapping for cyclists. I wonder how many cyclists out there really want and use this type of information. I requested information from one of the states and received several nice maps for the whole state with color coding for suitability which was based on traffic counts and shoulder width. It was quite impressive and I'm sure took a bunch of time to gather this info, let alone the cost to print it.
After reviewing this information I looked closer and found that almost all of the suitability color coding was on state and sometimes federal highways. Since I don't like to ride highways unless it is the only way to get there they are gathering dust in the filing cabinet in the attic.
So what types of roads do people in this forum like to ride? Maybe I'm the oddball and the suitability maps are the answer to most cyclists dreams however if there are others out there that prefer the remote roads it'd be good to know.
Any responses either way would be appreciated!

9

Routes / Re: Boulder, CO to New York City. Northern route suggestions?

« on: October 27, 2011, 04:59:36 am »

Karin
I'm a proponent of the Ohio River Valley area for a E/W route. Check out my blog for remote and scenic routes in IN KY and a link to other KY routes. IMO the routes through Northern IL, IN and OH are less scenic.
Good luck on your planning / trip.
Charlie Myer
http://backroadsofindiana.blogspot.com/

10

Routes / Re: Lincoln,Ne heading east through Iowa

« on: July 15, 2011, 07:40:56 am »

Should you be entering Indiana in the central area I have several routes that can get you across toward the Cincinnati or Toledo area.
Here's a link to my routes:   http://backroadsofindiana.blogspot.com/

Charlie Myer
Back Roads of Indiana

11

Connecting ACA Routes / Re: Connector from UGRR(Henderson,Ky.) to Northern Lakes(Monroeville,In)

« on: May 30, 2011, 09:29:34 pm »

My route from Evansville to Ft Wayne (link to blog below) follows the Wabash River on lightly traveled paved roads. It intersects with the Northern Tier at Lagro Indiana WSW of Ft Wayne and West of Monroeville.
This may be to late to help you, sorry!

Charlie Myer
Back Roads of Indiana

http://backroadsofindiana.blogspot.com/

12

Routes / Ohio River Crossing at Cincinnati

« on: April 18, 2011, 08:04:17 am »

Check out the new route from SE Indiana into Kentucky via Ohio using the Historical Anderson Ferry. The route is for the most part on remote roads with the exception of US50 for a few miles in Ohio. I try to keep the routes off of highways as much as possible however doing so on this route adds miles and elevation. Crossing from Ohio into Kentucky the route uses the historic Anderson Ferry West of Cincinnati. Further down the road SW of Burlington Kentucky there is an option of riding through Rabbit Hash along the Ohio River. It's both scenic and nostalgic. Camping is available at Big Bone Lick State Park and motels just off the route near Walton.

My blog with lots of routes in Indiana:  http://backroadsofindiana.blogspot.com/

Charlie Myer
"Back Roads of Indiana"

13

Routes / Re: From St Louis to Kentucky? Crossing Kentucky??

« on: February 24, 2011, 09:48:32 am »

Here's a link to my blog of routes in Indiana with a link to Kentucky routes. I haven't ridden the routes in Kentucky however I believe the resource for the routes is a fella out of Lexington who does brevets throughout the state and is well known for his routing.
My routes in Indiana aren't the shortest however you won't be on busy highways and the scenery will be great.
If you want to plan your own route through Indiana the blog has info on obtaining my book which shows most all paved roads in Indiana.
Hope your trip goes well!

Charlie Myer
Back Roads of Indiana

http://backroadsofindiana.blogspot.com/

14

Routes / Re: Indianapolis To Asheville

« on: February 16, 2011, 09:59:21 pm »

Here's a couple of resources for you in Indiana and Kentucky:

Back Rods of Indiana:  http://backroadsofindiana.blogspot.com/

Kentucky Bike Tours:  http://bikewalk.ky.gov/KyBikeTour.asp

Charlie Myer

15

Routes / Re: southern IN x/c

« on: January 24, 2011, 01:49:55 pm »

Check out my blog for routes in Indiana:  http://backroadsofindiana.blogspot.com/
If you need more options my book Back Roads of Indiana is available, info on blog!
Charlie Myer