memorising maps/routes

[Velominati]

Yet strangely we do have the same basic biology as pigeons and all other eukaryotes, which even if it isn't as highly developed as in migratory animals is present, and owing to natural variation is present at varying degree,s between any two individuals. (as best science knows anyway. Quite how animals do sense migratory routes is still debatabl. SO abolsutely humans do have a native sense of direction, and some people are inherently better at it than others. Which isn't to say it can't be learnt. But there's a vast difference between learning how to navigate, and that sense that some people have (and others don't) of knowing where you are relative to another location.

I can navigate extremely well. I read and understand maps and can relate them to the countryside/landmarks around me. But I have no innate sense of direction. If I haven't studied and kept concentrating on the map I have literally no clue even in what direction home might lie. I can work it out, usually. But other people will just 'know'. GPS is godsend, as it means I don't have to concentrate all the time, but can enjoy and admire the ride.

GPS does work on Salisbury Plain but there are some areas where military equipment appears to block the signal. They do a lot of jamming and radar stuff up there.


Eh? that's one of the prime cases where GPS is wonderful. You don't need landmarks for it. Map and compass without anything to sight on is very hard work.

 

[clockworksimon]

I hate faffing about with paper maps, especially in bad weather. I have a phone app with 1:50,000 OS maps downloaded which is great to jog the memory when unsure at an unfamiliar junction. I am increasingly riding outside the area covered by this download although have a big box of paper OS maps of most areas I am ever likely to ride. In a lightbulb moment last weekend, I realised that I could just photograph the bits of the maps I need on my phone for easy access in case of need. This worked great. Obviously this is just for personal use and I am not condoning breach of copyright by sharing these pics. It seems such a simple low cost idea.....

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

@Pennine-Paul has an uncanny skill at remembering routes, not finite detail but excellent overall sense of a route. I've been in 200km rides with him and I reckon he'd have generally covered the route without my satnav.

 

[martinclive]

Just used garmin course planner to ride from Kings Cross to south London on the weekend
I do not know london, and far from distracting I found it freed me up to concentrate on the traffic etc
I would have had to keep stopping without it and been looking for signs etc it really helped me get is correct lanes early and prepare for turns
(and that is the lowest level garmin 20)

 

[ColinJ]

I hate faffing about with paper maps, especially in bad weather. I have a phone app with 1:50,000 OS maps downloaded which is great to jog the memory when unsure at an unfamiliar junction. I am increasingly riding outside the area covered by this download although have a big box of paper OS maps of most areas I am ever likely to ride. In a lightbulb moment last weekend, I realised that I could just photograph the bits of the maps I need on my phone for easy access in case of need. This worked great. Obviously this is just for personal use and I am not condoning breach of copyright by sharing these pics. It seems such a simple low cost idea.....

There is a very simple and cheap alternative to photographing OS maps! Here it is on my laptop, tablet and phone. I also have it on my desktop PC ...

A digital OS Landranger (1:50,000) map of the whole of the UK (except for NI) currently going for £50 as a download or £80 on DVD - HERE. Includes route plotting and tracking software.

 

[summerdays]

When I go somewhere with an information board and map I usually photograph that, and many a time that's been useful after you've wandered around a bit, both to show the way back and also to know where they think the points of interest are!

 

[Pennine-Paul]

@Pennine-Paul has an uncanny skill at remembering routes, not finite detail but excellent overall sense of a route. I've been in 200km rides with him and I reckon he'd have generally covered the route without my satnav.

It comes from doing orienteering for years and developing the skill of map memory

 

[gottogetfit]

I can do it as well. I love reading maps as a bedtime book and planning routes or trips I know I will never get round to doing. I can't understand my other half who can get lost 2 minutes from home.

 

[slowmotion]

Paper maps are adventure. It will take a long time for GPS to usurp that position.