Author Topic: Some Useful Parameters When Asking for Route Help  (Read 4293 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline jamawani

Some Useful Parameters When Asking for Route Help
« on: March 01, 2024, 03:58:07 pm »
A lot of people come here and ask for route help.
Too often, it's just "What's a good route between Peoria and Portland?"

1. When are you planning on doing it?
Montana is way different in May than July or October

2. Which direction are you riding and what kind of time frame?
Heading westbound in the Columbia Gorge is a challenge.
As is riding the Western Express in two weeks.

3. What's your age and your experience cycle touring?
Mega gravel isn't a good idea for newbies, nor mega miles for older riders.

That way you'll get the best advice for your situation.

YMMV- J

Online John Nettles

  • World Traveler
  • *****
  • Posts: 1999
  • I ride for smiles, not miles.
Re: Some Useful Parameters When Asking for Route Help
« Reply #1 on: March 01, 2024, 04:03:38 pm »
This might be better being added to the "sticky" post at the top of the Routes sub-Forums titled "Looking For Route Suggestions?  Tips to help others help you."
https://forums.adventurecycling.org/index.php?topic=14587.0
Otherwise, great suggestions as always.  Tailwinds, John

Offline canalligators

Re: Some Useful Parameters When Asking for Route Help
« Reply #2 on: March 01, 2024, 05:36:54 pm »
We might also ask what sort of tour the person(s) are planning.  Are they camping or using indoor accommodation?  Cooking?  Sagged?

Offline davidbonn

Re: Some Useful Parameters When Asking for Route Help
« Reply #3 on: March 01, 2024, 06:22:08 pm »
Also I think giving people the tools to Figure It Out for themselves is always beneficial.

For a first pass, using the bicycle routing options on Google Maps is usually a decent first approximation.  You can also use Street View on Google Maps to get a pretty good feel about shoulder quality, sight lines, and level of traffic on the road.  I also often check out important intersections on Street View as well.

Also, the heatmaps that RideWithGPS and Strava generate can give good hints on where other cyclists ride, and where they don't ride. 

Offline BikeliciousBabe

Re: Some Useful Parameters When Asking for Route Help
« Reply #4 on: March 05, 2024, 10:47:55 am »
This forum needs a "like" function.

Online John Nettles

  • World Traveler
  • *****
  • Posts: 1999
  • I ride for smiles, not miles.
Re: Some Useful Parameters When Asking for Route Help
« Reply #5 on: March 05, 2024, 10:53:57 am »
"LIKE" ;)

Offline ray b

“A good man always knows his limitations.”