Suggestion for your route app, use Far Out

[Dirtragmag]

To be blunt, the ACA Bicycle Route Navigator is lacking.
Sure it shows where things are, but it does not allow cyclists to communicate through it. What it should allow is real time commenting on map items. For instance, noting a water source is flowing or dry, so the next rider can plan accordingly. Or, a note about a new host or camping spot.

If any of the staff has hiked any of the big U.S. trails they are probably familiar with Guthooks ( now FarOut ).

This is exactly what it does. It’s incredibly useful and makes it easy to communicate w others, and make real-time updates to conditions etc., during the adventure.

I would highly suggest that Adventure Cycling stop hosting their route app and just contract w FarOut to host their routes. It is a much more seamless, helpful approach to this type of travel. It will also take a lot of workload off the ACA staff.

I’m actively riding the GDMBR now and had countless conversations about this issue along the way.

If you need assistance in porting things over, I’d be happy to help.


Jon

[garthol]

I just registered for an account so that I could reply to this in support. The Bicycle Route Navigator has, I’m sure, served as an incredible resource for many years. But now there are other tools out there that can save the ACA time and money, while providing cyclists with a far improved user experience. Having hiked the Appalachian Trail, I can’t overstate how critical of a resource a more fully featured navigation app like FarOut is. There’s a reason the Appalachian Trail Conservancy just officially put its support behind FarOut as the official app of the AT; it’s time the ACA considers doing the same for all of its routes, encouraging more folks to safely and comfortably get out there and ride.