Trip planner app/software/sites ?

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migrane

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 19, 2016
Messages
57
Location
Ontario, Canada
So I am thinking of embarking on a longer trip and I'd like to hear from other riders what they use to plan their trips ... I am looking at 2000 miles trip through northern Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Maine, Vermont, New York and then back to Ontario :)
Would like to pick routes based on scenery, fuel, lodging, traffic etc ...
I was looking at a few apps and sites ...

https://rever.co/
inRoute App
GreatestRoad App

What do you guys and gals use ?
Any other long trip suggestions on gear, tools, must haves, must dos are welcome :)

Migrane
 
How will you use the routes created?

Maps?

GPS?
 
I create elaborate daily ride routes. Routes that plan gas stops, good places for lunch, ending each day at a pre-reserved hotel.

These routes are then downloaded onto my Garmin Zumo 595, and a lot of different previous Garmin GPS units.

My longer rides are now 2,500, or so, miles. They used to be 6,000 to 7,000 miles when I would cross the continent to the great riding roads.
 
My goal is to focus on roads like these:

Twist-%26-Shout-X3.jpg


To gather these roads, I use every sort of maps, websites, Google Earth, and experience. Thus, I now have GPS files for each target area, with the roads categorized by type.

When I used a tankbag I created detailed daily maps in Photoshop.

NM-1-X3.jpg


Now, with the Strada, daily maps aren't needed as my daily loops are tightly focused. The new GPS units are so good that maps are unnecessary.
 
With these areas of focus, I can't help you with your planned route.

MC-Roads-2-X3.jpg
 
RSL said:
How will you use the routes created?

Maps?

GPS?
Click to expand...

Wow you gave me a lot to chew on ... I have a ram mount for my iPhone and was thinking on using that as the main navigation ... I was also going to grab some paper maps as backup and a plastic binder with transparent sleeves to put in printouts of reservations, maps, copies of documents. I am looking closely at Rever (http://rever.co/) now ... the app seems decent and the ability to plan on the computer and upload to the app seems nice ... It also seems that the premium version has Butler rated roads ...

Migrane
 
I'm trying out Rever for my Crf250l xcountry ride. I like it because it gives me the ability to filter out freeways on the route plan. I plan on a windows or mac box and can use the saved route on either my iphone or galaxy. Google it.
 
How do you add Via Points using a phone?
 
RSL no clue. I think what I am going to do is just transfer the Rever map to tank bag paper maps. The phones, even the over sized ones I have are still pretty small to use while actually riding for me. Good to X check where I'm at from time to time is all I really use them for at this point. Going to try this particular ride without a true motorcycle GPS but I bet in the long run I'll end up getting one.
 
Well, I've been planning rides since 1997. Switched to GPS in 2000.

What I've learned is that the very best roads require a lot of connecting Via Points to get from road to road.

It's boring to ride the regular roads with all the tourists.

The very best roads are hidden gems.

Hidden gems like this are not on your highway maps.

IMG_0660-X2.jpg
 
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Osmand is a good app.
backcountry navigator
here to go (used to be better)
They can all work purely gps using none of your data plan - none require a cell connection. They have varying levels of complexity.
Something like hotwire hotel might be useful, and there is an app for campgrounds - don't know the name offhand.
 
No trip planning or routing software out there will take you to roads like these:

IMG_4536-X3.jpg


Burr-Trail-2.jpg


Burr-Trail-Switchback-Section-X3.jpg


Like everything in life, with some more effort you can experience so much more.
 
All of the software fights you when you select routes on roads like this:

Perfect-Sweepers-X3.jpg


Superior-Sweepers-X3.jpg


Why?

Because there are normal traffic routes that parallel these roads. Routes that are "safer" and capable of handling giant fat vehicles like the F150.
 
Even with GPS software, to see these fun roads you are required to zoom all the way in. Otherwise you won't even know these roads exist.

Butler Maps and Rever are good sources. I have great roads they have yet to find in areas covered by their maps.

But then, if your ride is "touring" with a focus on where to eat, tourist stops and visiting cities, my routes aren't for you.
 
Vistas like this, from lonely empty backroads, are why I work so hard at getting my ride routes just right.

IMG_0568a-X3.jpg


P1000015-X3.jpg
 
Another goal in ride route planning is to AVOID roads that these sorts of road hog parades go. Parades that holdup RVs because these riders fear every corner.

Screen%20Shot%202017-05-21%20at%209.46.22%20AM-X3.png
 
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Given the option, wouldn't you choose a state highway like this?

Photo-Op-4-e-X3.jpg


Yes, this indeed is a two-way state highway.
 
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RSL thanks for the pics and tips ... I got some click time with Rever and in spite of some shortcomings its pretty useful... i still resort to google earth to check on the selected roads ... one thing i dont know that Rever can do is a true export of the route ... directions and all that and especially estimated distances in between waypoints ...

On a separate note got the Helite ADV Jacket ... love it !

Migrane
 
Yeah - I use the gps apps for 2 things - to find out where I am, and local directions. Otherwise paper maps and just getting lost. if you have fuel, water and a tent you can't go too far wrong.

Never ridden in CA, but driven a lot in the southwest. Not too many roads, so that's kind of taken care of. One tip - get fuel whenever you can, it can get long and lonesome between pumps.

That top photo looks familiar - is there an old dam at the bottom of that road?
 

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