Photo: Oleg Troino (Shutterstock)
Whether you are in an unfamiliar place or expanding your horizons in your hometown, there are many online tools to customize different routes for walking, running and cycling, wherever you are. The online tools we will highlight here are not created the same, so let’s take a look at the best free options depending on what you’re looking for on the map.
All of the following options have solid reviews and most importantly are either free or have free versions that can do the job. For all this, I recommend using the desktop version through the mobile app, at least in the beginning; I find it much easier to drag and drop different points along the way with a mouse pad than with your touch screen.
How to map a bike route with Google maps
You’re probably familiar with Google Maps, even if you haven’t taken the opportunity to customize your bike or running route. Here’s how to map a bike route in Google Maps:
1. Click the direction icon. Make sure you select either the walking or cycling icon.
2. Choose a starting point and destination. Since you’re probably creating a loop, click the plus sign to re-add the starting location as the third stop.
3. Maps will show you the fastest and most direct route to your destination and back. Drag the blue lines to customize the cycle to the desired distance and point to the places you want to go.
4. When you’re done, click the option to send directions to your phone.
Once on your phone, tap the Google Maps account icon and then select Offline Maps. Then tap Set your own map and you will see a reduced map of where you are. All you have to do is move the blue rectangle over the area you intend to visit, and then tap Download.
With Google Maps you can safely rely on the accuracy of the route and all its characteristics (time, distance, altitude). However, once you get used to the interface of sites that are specifically designed for cycling routes, it will become obvious that Google Maps is not focused on building routes. However, if you don’t want to try something new or unfamiliar, you can’t go wrong with Google Maps.
For a hassle-free experience: Onthegomap
I’m addicted to onthegomap. It is clear and easy to use. Create a route by simply clicking on the map to create a point on your route, and then drag, drop, and delete as needed. It is faster than Google Maps, but with much less information (such as traffic reports or detailed terrain profiles) than the options below.
For tons of customization tools: Plotaroute
If you like digging into the details, Plotaroute.com has a wide range of route editing tools. You can create a route from scratch or combine and split an existing one, or even use the magic “make me a route” feature in an area. The menu on the side of the map is full of icons for drawing laps, repeating loops, moving from different sides of the road and much more.
Once you’ve designed your route, you can inspect the terrain and see numbered directions to follow the route (which I now realize is an extremely underrated feature on all of these sites). Plotaroute is free, although you need to sign up for an account to get all these customization tools.
For your off-road adventures: Komoot
If you are serious about cycling or jogging, Komoot is your best bet for sport-specific routes. There’s inch-by-inch surface analysis and road analysis, but what really makes it best for outdoor adventures are all the pre-built Komoot routes. Filtered by distance, difficulty and public transport connections, the routes already in Komoot seem to be easier to use versions of the trail maps you can find at the entrances to most parks.
For the best crowdsourcing data: BikeMaps.org
BikeMaps.org is like a Waze for cyclists. The website and app are crowdsourcing tools that local cyclists can use to map their problem areas while riding, including accidents, near misses, dangers and thefts.
The interface is aesthetically pleasing, although it is very sensitive to increasing and decreasing your trackpad. The main disadvantage of BikeMaps: This site seems to be the most popular in Canada, so your experience will depend on how many fellow cyclists upload data to your area.
For the sauce: A dish
Listen to me. I know that the route building feature moved behind the paid wall a few years ago, but I would still be omitting not to mention Strava at all.
For now: If you are an avid Strava user who misses the route builder, then you can still click “save to my routes” in your list of past activities to use again for future activities.
As a little teaser … watch for a more detailed post on how to hack a free subscription and create your own routes anyway. Until then: Strava is loved by all kinds of athletes, and the heat map is a great tool for finding tried and true routes near you.
Last thoughts
You can’t go wrong with any of the options above. Some people are interested in altitude profiles inch by inch, while others just want to drop three points on a map and use the first cycle they create. My last piece of advice is to always make sure you download an offline version of your card, or better yet, write backup instructions on a piece of paper. Better safe than sorry.
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