Navigation for bikes
Discussion
Sorry if this has been done to death already but most of the topics I've read end in "go buy a Garmin X" which isn't the ideal option I'm looking for I don't think.
I'm looking for something like a Tomtom for a bike now I'm starting to push the distances I ride and end up riding areas I don't know. The idea of stopping at every junction to check directions on a map will slow the ride down and I'm trying to increase the amount of constant pedaling I do. I have a Garmin forerunner already which can do directions or show me my stats, but not both at the same time. I use it as my speedo / cadence meter and HRM so I keep myself at a certain level.
Is there a phone app (android) or a bike version of a Tomtom that I can preload a route into and it will just tell me directions.
If the Garmin 510 etc can do maps and show me the stats at the same time then great, but with a fully working GPS / Hrm tracker then it really would have to do both very well, to consider the expenditure.
I have noticed from previous rides that when I'm navigating I can me as much as 8mph avg slower and this is the key figure I want to increase. I have a year to get as close to 25mph avg as possible for as long as possible (5 hr target)
I'm looking for something like a Tomtom for a bike now I'm starting to push the distances I ride and end up riding areas I don't know. The idea of stopping at every junction to check directions on a map will slow the ride down and I'm trying to increase the amount of constant pedaling I do. I have a Garmin forerunner already which can do directions or show me my stats, but not both at the same time. I use it as my speedo / cadence meter and HRM so I keep myself at a certain level.
Is there a phone app (android) or a bike version of a Tomtom that I can preload a route into and it will just tell me directions.
If the Garmin 510 etc can do maps and show me the stats at the same time then great, but with a fully working GPS / Hrm tracker then it really would have to do both very well, to consider the expenditure.
I have noticed from previous rides that when I'm navigating I can me as much as 8mph avg slower and this is the key figure I want to increase. I have a year to get as close to 25mph avg as possible for as long as possible (5 hr target)
Celtic Dragon said:
Sorry if this has been done to death already but most of the topics I've read end in "go buy a Garmin X" which isn't the ideal option I'm looking for I don't think.
I'm looking for something like a Tomtom for a bike now I'm starting to push the distances I ride and end up riding areas I don't know. The idea of stopping at every junction to check directions on a map will slow the ride down and I'm trying to increase the amount of constant pedaling I do. I have a Garmin forerunner already which can do directions or show me my stats, but not both at the same time. I use it as my speedo / cadence meter and HRM so I keep myself at a certain level.
Is there a phone app (android) or a bike version of a Tomtom that I can preload a route into and it will just tell me directions.
If the Garmin 510 etc can do maps and show me the stats at the same time then great, but with a fully working GPS / Hrm tracker then it really would have to do both very well, to consider the expenditure.
I have noticed from previous rides that when I'm navigating I can me as much as 8mph avg slower and this is the key figure I want to increase. I have a year to get as close to 25mph avg as possible for as long as possible (5 hr target)
A Garmin Edge 200 will allow you to upload a route and give you breadcrumb type route directions, they are very good and mine has yet to get me lost whilst I'm following a route. However, it wont tell you where you are, only in relation to the prescribed route. Neither will the 510. You would need an 800/810 for that purpose which like a smartphone has a "find me" feature. I'm looking for something like a Tomtom for a bike now I'm starting to push the distances I ride and end up riding areas I don't know. The idea of stopping at every junction to check directions on a map will slow the ride down and I'm trying to increase the amount of constant pedaling I do. I have a Garmin forerunner already which can do directions or show me my stats, but not both at the same time. I use it as my speedo / cadence meter and HRM so I keep myself at a certain level.
Is there a phone app (android) or a bike version of a Tomtom that I can preload a route into and it will just tell me directions.
If the Garmin 510 etc can do maps and show me the stats at the same time then great, but with a fully working GPS / Hrm tracker then it really would have to do both very well, to consider the expenditure.
I have noticed from previous rides that when I'm navigating I can me as much as 8mph avg slower and this is the key figure I want to increase. I have a year to get as close to 25mph avg as possible for as long as possible (5 hr target)
There are probably apps which will make you smartphone a bike computer so you could just mount it out front and you can then use the maps function on the phone if you get lost but I dont know which ones are any good as I just stick to my Edge 200 and generally know the areas i ride within 50 mile radius of Bristol pretty well.
Celtic Dragon said:
A roadie. Currently sat at 15.6 mph avg over 20km. Yes I'm unfit (ex smoker), but the target is to do the RideLondon 100 next year in under 5 hours, 4.5 hours if at all possible.
Sounds like my target 
Getting closer and closer, 19.5 average this year on the short course - another 12 months should do it!
At the risk of saying "buy a Garmin XX", the 800 or 810 (lets avoid the wallet emptying 1000 - unless you've got very deep pockets) will do it all.
Full satnav, full telemetry from cadence, HRM and power. Does everything.
They aren't cheap, but they are worth it IMHO.
Celtic Dragon said:
S10GTA said:
On what, a mountain bike?
A roadie. Currently sat at 15.6 mph avg over 20km. Yes I'm unfit (ex smoker), but the target is to do the RideLondon 100 next year in under 5 hours, 4.5 hours if at all possible.S10GTA said:
I made an error, I meant motorbike. With respect, you will really struggle to hit 25mph average. I only managed it in one race, within a big group. 21/22 on your own is a realistic target imho.
Struggle is the point. Aim high and you might just hit it, aim low and you wont.Celtic Dragon said:
A roadie. Currently sat at 15.6 mph avg over 20km. Yes I'm unfit (ex smoker), but the target is to do the RideLondon 100 next year in under 5 hours, 4.5 hours if at all possible.
Holy Moly!Try to average 16mph for a few hours first, 16-25 is a massive jump... like going from Fun fair Bumper Cars to Formula 3!
I suppose if you have a year off, Dave Brailsford on speed dial, a tour pro to ride with and a team for the event- and then lucky enough to get a space you "might" get into the mid-20's :-)
FWIW- Do you have a mapping app on your Android phone? Friend of mine rides with iphone in pocket and one headphone in, the spoken navigation announcements are sufficient to avoid getting lost he finds.
I used to use a map but after a few months you'll learn the common cycle routes in your area and stick to them from memory- look at the routes people use on Strava and MapMyRide type apps and sites, even (dare I say) look at the Sustrans and National Cycle route network.
Good luck!
scubadude said:
Holy Moly!
Try to average 16mph for a few hours first, 16-25 is a massive jump... like going from Fun fair Bumper Cars to Formula 3!
I suppose if you have a year off, Dave Brailsford on speed dial, a tour pro to ride with and a team for the event- and then lucky enough to get a space you "might" get into the mid-20's :-)
Agreed, even 18/19 is a massive jump from 15.6Try to average 16mph for a few hours first, 16-25 is a massive jump... like going from Fun fair Bumper Cars to Formula 3!
I suppose if you have a year off, Dave Brailsford on speed dial, a tour pro to ride with and a team for the event- and then lucky enough to get a space you "might" get into the mid-20's :-)
TheLemming said:
Strava does now do turn by turn navigation for plotted routes on the phone.
Haven't tried it however.
Are you sure it does? I've got plenty of routes plotted and can see the route on my screen but no turn-by-turn instructions or cues. As I understand it it's because this violates Google's terms for using their mapping. Haven't tried it however.
Hopefully you're right and I've just missed something as it's the one missing feature that'd make my phone a do-everything cycle computer. The thought of buying and carrying two GPS devices irks me so much.
TheLemming said:
S10GTA said:
I made an error, I meant motorbike. With respect, you will really struggle to hit 25mph average. I only managed it in one race, within a big group. 21/22 on your own is a realistic target imho.
Struggle is the point. Aim high and you might just hit it, aim low and you wont. There is another reason I want to be as fast as I can be as well as well, so I don't embarrass myself on a ride that might happen.ok, so you need the 800/810. The others will show you a route which you can follow and you can set the unit to scroll through the screens so every five seconds or so it displays your route, then the data feed, then back to the route etc etc but they still wont have the "where am i" feature that I think you want.
Good luck with the training... imho 25mph avg over 100 miles is only acheievable with a coach and a training plan.
Good luck with the training... imho 25mph avg over 100 miles is only acheievable with a coach and a training plan.
scubadude said:
Holy Moly!
Try to average 16mph for a few hours first, 16-25 is a massive jump... like going from Fun fair Bumper Cars to Formula 3!
I suppose if you have a year off, Dave Brailsford on speed dial, a tour pro to ride with and a team for the event- and then lucky enough to get a space you "might" get into the mid-20's :-)
Good luck!
I didn't say I wasn't ambitious!Try to average 16mph for a few hours first, 16-25 is a massive jump... like going from Fun fair Bumper Cars to Formula 3!
I suppose if you have a year off, Dave Brailsford on speed dial, a tour pro to ride with and a team for the event- and then lucky enough to get a space you "might" get into the mid-20's :-)
Good luck!
S10GTA said:
scubadude said:
Holy Moly!
Try to average 16mph for a few hours first, 16-25 is a massive jump... like going from Fun fair Bumper Cars to Formula 3!
I suppose if you have a year off, Dave Brailsford on speed dial, a tour pro to ride with and a team for the event- and then lucky enough to get a space you "might" get into the mid-20's :-)
Agreed, even 18/19 is a massive jump from 15.6Try to average 16mph for a few hours first, 16-25 is a massive jump... like going from Fun fair Bumper Cars to Formula 3!
I suppose if you have a year off, Dave Brailsford on speed dial, a tour pro to ride with and a team for the event- and then lucky enough to get a space you "might" get into the mid-20's :-)
king luck. Celtic Dragon said:
I didn't say I wasn't ambitious!
To be fair- you didn't :-)Remember to Average 25 you'll need to be doing well over 30mph most of the time on the flat, despite the few and small hills on that route they'll take a big bite out of your speed.
Keep us posted how you get on.
Celtic Dragon said:
Thats what my Forerunner does, but it won't show me my stats at the same time. Does the 200, 510 or 800 do that?
The 510 will show 2 stats whilst on the nav screen. If you are on the main screen (which shows up to 8 stats IIRC) it will automatically cut to the nav screen when you are approaching a significant change of direction, and then show the main screen again after you've made the turn. If you stray off course it tells you very quickly.Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff