Favourite websites for finding cycling routes

[PatrickPending]

Hi,

Anyone have any good sites for finding cycling routes around the UK... I'm aware of the CTC one though it requires a login and the friend I have in mind isn't a member. So if anyone knows any good ones let me know...around Solihull especially!

 

[MontyVeda]

google maps and the open map project shows cycling routes... as does the sustrans website.

Click on the menu, top right of google maps and select 'cycling'.

I tend to use google maps for planning routes via the 'get directions' button... also gives mileage, not the inclines though... they're always a surprise... just the way i like it.

 

[Dogtrousers]

www.gpxeditor.co.uk Enables you to flip between google maps and OS maps. Sadly you can't plan your route while the OS maps are up for licencing reasons. Has some other nice features. Also shows OSM and Open Cycle Maps.

 

[vickster]

Cycle-route.com sorted by county

 

[Richard Fairhurst]

Depends whether you want "nice routes other people have planned" or "help me plan my own route".

For the former, try GPSies, or cycle-route.com.

For the latter, try CycleStreets, plotaroute.com, or cycle.travel (disclaimer - my site, so naturally I'm biased to thinking it's the best!).

Google Maps' bike routing is pretty rubbish in my view: it has a tendency to route you on unsuitable roads up to and including busy dual carriageways, and doesn't have good coverage of cycle paths and trails.

 

[Mr Carr]

I use Strava route builder. Easy to use, shows elevations, mileage etc.

It uses Google street view so you can check for busy roads.

 

[wintergreen]

I use http://cycle.travel/ Its the easiest I have found to use.

Hats off to you Richard for creating an easy to use, reliable way of planning rides.

 

[MontyVeda]

...

Google Maps' bike routing is pretty rubbish in my view: it has a tendency to route you on unsuitable roads up to and including busy dual carriageways, and doesn't have good coverage of cycle paths and trails.

one does have to use a bit of the old grey matter when planning a route... don't expect a machine to do it all for you. Zoom in, check the roads, drag the blue line to a quieter road where necessary. Simple.

 

[Richard Fairhurst]

Right, but wouldn't you rather use a route-planner that gets it right first time? Ask Google Maps for a bike route from Lands End to Bristol, and it routes you up the A30 from Hayle, even though the old A30 runs parallel and is infinitely safer for cyclists. Plenty of machines do do it all for you... just not Google.

@wintergreen - aw, thanks!

 

[Steady]

one does have to use a bit of the old grey matter when planning a route... don't expect a machine to do it all for you. Zoom in, check the roads, drag the blue line to a quieter road where necessary. Simple.

Whether it's cycling or driving, I never rely soley on where a 'machine' tells me to go. Useful tactic when your home city has decided to siege itself with road works on nearly every entrance/exit to the city!

 

[PeteXXX]

Someone introduced me to http://bikeroutetoaster.com/ a while ago. It's worth playing with.

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

http://www.plotaroute.com/

I'm in love with the make me a route option. Random is good!

 

[mobi]

You can get free cycling map from local councils

 

[PatrickPending]

thanks for the replies folks, I now loads of rides around Leicestershire, but my friend is working her way up to a 100 mile ride and lives in the brum/sollihul area so I can't really advise her on nice routes.

 

[JasonHolder]

Sorry but I just put on a helmet and go out. West hills-east flat.