Ride with gps heat map how to#

Ride with gps heat map how to#

Local cyclists that live and train in that area all the time have most likely figured out all the tricks and shortcuts about how to best hook up safe and enjoyable roads. When travelling to a new location it’s always hard to know what roads to avoid and which ones are better suited for cycling. Users from all over the world upload tons of data to this site daily and you can easily use this crowd-sourcing method to gain valuable insight about where to ride. The community-based data source offers so many useful features for building the ultimate route. The first place I go to plan out a new route is Strava. If mapping tools and planning out your own routes is not your thing, then skip ahead to Section 5 for the quickest way to get started. I’ll cover them one by one in this write-up, but be sure to check out the video that goes along with this post to see how I use them all in combination. I have a variety of resources that I like to use to plan out the new routes. You never know where you might end up, sometimes without cellphone reception to rely on to get you home. It’s one thing to venture out onto new roads on a road bike, but gravel riding requires even further preparation. Your foresight will minimize the stress that comes with navigating new and unknown places, increasing the enjoyability of the ride. By researching your route ahead of time, you’ll know what to expect. You won’t be caught off-guard by a sudden sharp corner or steep climb. I’ve discovered that additional confidence during the ride comes from having the route carefully planned out before setting off. The amount of food and water you need to carry, what equipment to use (think correct tire sizes) and the amount of time you will be outside (think correct clothing choices) all depend on the intensity, elevation gain and distance of the route that you will follow. It really helps to know what lies ahead during the ride, so that you’re ready for any unforeseen circumstances. A wise family member once schooled 15-year old me with the following advice before a big bike race by pointing out the 5 P’s of a good ride “Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance.” In particular, cyclists need to be as prepared as possible when it comes down to the route that they intend to follow. Whichever way you look at it, the one undeniable thing that can make riding a bike outdoors more enjoyable is to have a good plan. I’ll walk you through some of the websites and online resources that can help you stay safe while venturing into the unknown yet still, and most importantly, have an epic time riding some sweet gravel roads. Planning an off-road adventure on your bike? New to gravel cycling? Looking for some new gravel roads to explore? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then this post will help you to plan out the best route for your next gravel ride. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, through which we earn a commission.