Poll

Do you think ACA should offer a pdf format for maps they discontinue?

Yes
20 (100%)
No
0 (0%)

Total Members Voted: 20

Voting closed: December 11, 2020, 04:27:04 pm

Author Topic: ACA Discontinuing some Paper Maps  (Read 21551 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline John Nettles

  • World Traveler
  • *****
  • Posts: 2038
  • I ride for smiles, not miles.
ACA Discontinuing some Paper Maps
« on: November 11, 2020, 03:56:06 pm »
This came in the Adventure Cycling Association's November Newsletter:

"Our mapping department is discontinuing some paper maps, since in the past five years demand has increased for our digital maps and decreased for paper copies. We’ve decided to stop reprinting the paper maps on 15 of our lowest-selling map sections. These are the Detroit Alternate Route, the Underground Railroad, the Pittsburgh Spur, the Great Parks South Route, the Tidewater Potomac Heritage Route, the Green Mountains Loop, the Utah Cliffs Loop, the Allegheny Mountains Loop and the Adirondack Park Loop. Once sold out, these paper map sections will no longer be available. All of these will still be available digitally, and continually updated."

I personally think this is a major dis-service.  Unless you are doing a re-route, just print less maps or at the very least, offer them in a pdf format which should be fairly easy I would think.  Some of us old school folks strongly prefer paper.

What do others think and be sure to fill out the poll above?
« Last Edit: November 11, 2020, 05:54:42 pm by John Nettles »

Offline jamawani

Re: ACA Discontinuing some Paper Maps
« Reply #1 on: November 11, 2020, 04:14:19 pm »
There are many place in Utah where you have no cell service.
And even if you have the maps stored, you just might run out of juice.
You don't have to worry about "6% left" with paper maps.

Offline John Nettles

  • World Traveler
  • *****
  • Posts: 2038
  • I ride for smiles, not miles.
Re: ACA Discontinuing some Paper Maps
« Reply #2 on: November 11, 2020, 04:27:45 pm »
I added a quick poll to the top of this thread for those interested in completing it.
« Last Edit: November 11, 2020, 05:06:43 pm by John Nettles »

Offline John Nelson

Re: ACA Discontinuing some Paper Maps
« Reply #3 on: November 11, 2020, 05:08:14 pm »
I like paper maps, but I'm not sure a PDF would be good enough. I need them on the waterproof paper that the ACA uses. On my next tour, I was planning to get both the paper maps and the digital maps, but that might not be an option because my route is on the to-be-discontinued list. Maybe I should buy my paper maps now.

Offline John Nettles

  • World Traveler
  • *****
  • Posts: 2038
  • I ride for smiles, not miles.
Re: ACA Discontinuing some Paper Maps
« Reply #4 on: November 11, 2020, 05:15:16 pm »
You can use Rite in the Rain brand of paper.  It is waterproof and very good.  I use it for my self-created cue sheets.  You can buy it on their website, Amazon, or eBay.  Not cheap but overall not bad considering the option of having your cue sheet ruined by water.

They also have several other waterproof products, including journals, spiral note pads, etc. Good stuff.



Offline jwrushman

Re: ACA Discontinuing some Paper Maps
« Reply #5 on: November 11, 2020, 05:49:01 pm »
For Northern Tier last year, I had three maps - Bicycle Route Navigator, ACA paper maps, and my own route entered in to RideWithGPS.  I used RideWithGPS for its turn-by-turn navigation (even though there weren't many turns in ND and eastern MT!).  Bicycle Route Navigator got little use.  ACA paper was my "bible".  It's what I used as input for RideWithGPS.  It where I started when looking for lodging.  It's what gave me the overview I've where I'd be riding. 

It will be sad for me if ACA discontinues paper.  I guess it's a sign of the times.  I still get real books from the library too.  Luddite and proud!  (Although I really do love me cell phone for many reasons!)

Old Fart

Offline zzzz

Re: ACA Discontinuing some Paper Maps
« Reply #6 on: November 11, 2020, 09:57:31 pm »
This feels ridiculous. Not only can your phone run out of juice as previously mentioned, if the sun is bright and there’s no shade around, you can’t even  see the screen.

 And a phone screen is puny, you can’t take in the whole days ride at a glance.

 And (AND!) when you get to the top of a pass and you’re  drenched in sweat, taking the map out of your jersey pocket and putting it in the front is the perfect amount of warmth for the big descent. Try that with a phone!

How much money can ACA possibly be saving w this policy?


Offline staehpj1

Re: ACA Discontinuing some Paper Maps
« Reply #7 on: November 12, 2020, 05:59:48 am »
This policy is very disappointing.  I am not sure what their demand has been or what the costs are, but they are heading in a direction that I don't like.  I have long been a member, but at some point may rethink my renewal if they continue further in this direction.  I initially thought, it was no big deal if they were cutting out paper for some of the small loops, alternates, and spurs, but then I saw some of what I thought of as major routes (in particular the UGRR).  That made me think this may be a first step in phasing out paper.  I think that may well be the end of my support for them in the form of purchasing maps and probably renewing annual membership.

I am guessing that these are probably hard times for them as they are for many with folks cancelling trips and staying home.

Offline BikeliciousBabe

Re: ACA Discontinuing some Paper Maps
« Reply #8 on: November 12, 2020, 07:05:12 am »

 And (AND!) when you get to the top of a pass and you’re  drenched in sweat, taking the map out of your jersey pocket and putting it in the front is the perfect amount of warmth for the big descent. Try that with a phone!


Heh. During my '99 unsupported ACA Northern Tier group tour I learned early that they make great insulators on descents.  Used one for the first time on Loup Loup Pass.

Offline BikePacker

Re: ACA Discontinuing some Paper Maps
« Reply #9 on: November 12, 2020, 07:08:15 am »
If the paper maps for those said 15 routes cost more per unit to produce because of lower total units sold then charge a higher price for those specific maps but do not stop production.

Offline Pat Lamb

Re: ACA Discontinuing some Paper Maps
« Reply #10 on: November 12, 2020, 09:03:38 am »
Maybe I should buy my paper maps now.

One of the reasons I joined was for the discount on the paper maps (of course, that was all they had back then).  Maybe I should buy maps for the routes I'd like to ride "some day" now and let the membership expire -- I certainly have not saved any money overall with my membership.

Offline George

Re: ACA Discontinuing some Paper Maps
« Reply #11 on: November 12, 2020, 09:45:02 am »
I'd also be very disappointed to see paper maps disappear altogether. Paper is a lot easier to look ahead on, and decide what's available the next day. Although, I certainly welcome the availability of GPS data, since I use my GPS for turn-by-turn.

George Hetrick, Life Member

Offline staehpj1

Re: ACA Discontinuing some Paper Maps
« Reply #12 on: November 12, 2020, 09:55:15 am »
I do not know how well or poorly the ACA are doing in these Covid 19 times.  I am sure the damper the pandemic put on peoples travel has hurt them.  They may be tightening their belt in order to survive and I do want them to survive.  The thing is that I don't see services like paper maps coming back once cut.  Cutting less in demand ones I would have supported, until I saw what the list included.  As I said some of the less in demand alternates and spurs it seemed to make sense.  Maybe my impression of some of the routes on the list is just wrong, but the UGRR and the Great Parks South concern me as a sign that major routes are in danger of being cut.

I have never found much value in their "store" Cyclosource.  I get just enough value out of their magazine (barely) to not request that stop sending it.  I have no interest in going on their guided trips.  If the paper maps go I may start to really wonder why I maintain my membership.

Offline staehpj1

Re: ACA Discontinuing some Paper Maps
« Reply #13 on: November 12, 2020, 10:06:59 am »
I'd also be very disappointed to see paper maps disappear altogether. Paper is a lot easier to look ahead on, and decide what's available the next day. Although, I certainly welcome the availability of GPS data, since I use my GPS for turn-by-turn.

George Hetrick, Life Member
While I tend to embrace the technology in most respects, I tend to resist having to maintain power requirements to keep electronics going all day.  I prefer to just turn them off most of or all day.  On tour I find that the majority of the time turn by turn just doesn't really involve that many turns most days.  Some days it may amount to "stay on US 90 for 100 miles".  More often it just involves a few turns.  So while I may turn on the phone to navigate in town now and then it isn't all that often.  It is really helpful for navigating to services in town.

There may be times when battery charging opportunities are frequent and reliable enough that I may turn on the phone all day (with the phone and wifi service off), but on my tours more often that has not been the case.

Offline GusHauck

Re: ACA Discontinuing some Paper Maps
« Reply #14 on: November 12, 2020, 10:34:19 am »
I concur with much of what has been posted. I like the idea of a PDF (or other printable version) of the map as an option. What concerns me about discontinuing the paper maps is the additional information the paper version has - such as average weather data, points of interest along the way - that is not included in the digital version.

Some friends and I were originally planning to do the Pacific Coast this past summer (COVID casualty) and we found the weather and daylight hours info helpful for planning. Of course, this data is available elsewhere, but the ACA maps makes it more convenient.

Just my opinion