Do you use a GPS on holidays by bike

Do you use a GPS on holidays by bike - Printable Version

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Do you use a GPS on holidays by bike - unfazed - 04-12-17

Out of curiosity, any one out there like me, who never uses a GPS when going on Holidays by bike.

Definitely think the GPS takes all the fun out of going on holidays by bike, :eek

Taking the wrong route and finding out it is far better than the one a GPS would have taken you. [Image: original.gif]

Getting lost and having to stop and ask direction only to have the fellow you are trying to speak to is stone deaf [Image: lbhbh.gif]

Getting lost and having to stop and ask direction from a couple in a car and discover they are totally naked : [Image: bag.gif]

Nearly missing the ferry because you took a wrong turn [Image: mad1.gif]

The fun in the high speed ride to get back on the right route and making the ferry by 5 minutes. [Image: biggrin_old.gif]

Going through Belgium for the first time and discovering they have the worst road signage in Europe. [Image: unsure2.gif]

Trying to find your way out of Mons in Belgium when both routes to the motorway are completely blocked by overturned trucks. [Image: rolleyes2.gif]

Discovering the sign for Paris in Belgium is also the road to Masstricht which is in the opposite direction. [Image: unsure2.gif]

Watching a fellow with a GPS getting into a total panic in Southern Spain because the GPS battery went flat [Image: lbhbh.gif]

I think I will stick with the ould general area map, my €50 phone and my €80 Tablet with maps downloaded to it; way more fun and a lot cheaper than the GPS. [Image: biggrin_old.gif]

Re: Do you use a GPS on holidays by bike - nick crisp - 05-12-17

Not in the UK, but did in Abroadland this year, mostly for getting to a particular place (usually hotels) or following transit routes from one area of interest to another.
For actual exploring, I used maps, or just turned off onto any road that looked interesting (usually if it looked like it was heading deeper into the mountains). But it was nice to have the GPS in case of getting lost. Getting lost can turn up interesting places/experiences, and I certainly did some of that when using the maps, but it can also eat into limited touring time.
It certainly didn't reduce the enjoyment I had on tour, but if anything, helped give me the confidence to tour Abroadland alone.

I wouldn't ever use just a GPS though. I love maps! Great thing about em, is you can look at a place in more context of it's surroundings, much better than keep zooming in and out on a gadget, which I find totally disorientating.

Re: Do you use a GPS on holidays by bike - celticdog - 05-12-17

I use my phone, which is ok until you loose your signal. I too like maps, I remember the big yellow AA road atlas, no car was complete without one of these back in the day, I wonder if you can still get them.

Re: Do you use a GPS on holidays by bike - tony_d123 - 05-12-17

I don't subscribe to the "it's more fun not using a sat nav" philosophy. It's no fun looking for a hotel or petrol station at 8pm when you are knackered. Maps for planning and back-up but sat nav for trips. Just ignore if you are feeling adventurous but have it when you need it.

Re: Do you use a GPS on holidays by bike - Oldgit - 05-12-17

I use the Garmin 220 for the BMW--excellent.

Re: Do you use a GPS on holidays by bike - crickleymal - 05-12-17

(05-12-17, 08:28 AM)celticdog link Wrote: I use my phone, which is ok until you loose your signal. I too like maps, I remember the big yellow AA road atlas, no car was complete without one of these back in the day, I wonder if you can still get them.

I bought one last year.
I do use my sat nav a lot but still prefer to have a map as back up.

Re: Do you use a GPS on holidays by bike - Tallbloke - 05-12-17

I use maps for getting between towns.
I use GPS for finding specific places in towns, because trundling 3 times round a one way system at the end of a long ride gets a bit wearing, and if you lose your bed because you were late for check-in, causes a lot of swearing.

Re: Do you use a GPS on holidays by bike - Robbie8666 - 05-12-17

I don't I use chinagraph on tank bag for main route and look at Google maps prior to setting off for final destination, however usually with someone else that does have one, mainly incase of detours!!

Re: Do you use a GPS on holidays by bike - limax2 - 05-12-17

I always plan a new route using maps but often use the satnav and put intermediate points in the satnav so it doesn't direct me onto a main trunk route instead of the route I want, usually more interesting minor roads with less traffic. Especially in unfamiliar territory I find this much easier than having to keep stopping to refresh my failing memory for the next change of road. More so in foreign lands (and sometimes Wales) where some of the place names on road signs have no meaning to me what so ever.
[smg id=716]

Re: Do you use a GPS on holidays by bike - unfazed - 05-12-17

I have used the GPS on my phone if I cannot find some place in a big city easily, but have only used it about 4 time in the last 10 years. The GPS in the phone is a backup if I am really stuck, but have only used it once on my holidays, because of roads works and accident blocked a number of the obvious alternative routes, but then I try not to frequent to many big cities when I am on holidays.
First time in I was in Spain I was riding a Spanish register FJR1300 back to Ireland and only had a map, I pulled into a petrol station and was looking at the map when two police men approached me and asked if I needed directions.
One of them on a R1150GS said to follow him and he would show me the way, I had one of the fastest 10 mile trips ever in Spain staying with him. Big Grin

That would never have happened if I had a GPS with me. :lol
I am not saying not to use a GPS, but I love maps and stopping to ask directions, especially if they do not speak English :lol :lol

Re: Do you use a GPS on holidays by bike - Hugh Mungus - 05-12-17

It all depends on how far out of my comfort zone I am travelling in.
GPS is great to get you there but not always the best route and often the most tedious.
Maps are great if you want to explore as it's easier to see an interesting route.
However, my GPS did take me down a very interesting route last year which I might not have done otherwise.

Re: Do you use a GPS on holidays by bike - mtread - 05-12-17

Maps or GPS? The answer quite simply is both. Maps to plan the route and GPS to follow it. Especially when using MyRoute to set waypoints for specific roads. If you change your mind because you see an extra special road take it and GPS will then bring you back on track. Only use 'fastest route' when you want the fastest route. Phone or bike specific Satnav? They both do the same job, but bike Satnavs are waterproof, bashproof and finger friendly. You pay your money and makes your choice. My TomTom Rider 2 wasn't cheap, but is now 10 years old, repaired with Araldite and going strong.

Re: Do you use a GPS on holidays by bike - robbo - 06-12-17

Used GPS for the first time abroad this year. Only relied on it to take the stress out of navigating through any large towns that were encountered. Found it handy to set the speed to be read in kph, bearing in mind the number of speed cameras in France now. It was also useful in the twisties to be prepared for any bends that really tightened up, thus minimising any surprises.

Re: Do you use a GPS on holidays by bike - reggit - 06-12-17

Before kids ruined my fun, used to tour Europe extensively. Used a Zumo 550 with auto rerouting turned off. That way I could see vaguely where I wanted to head for, but didn’t have it nagging me all the time.

Re: Do you use a GPS on holidays by bike - nick crisp - 06-12-17

(06-12-17, 12:49 AM)robbo link Wrote: It was also useful in the twisties to be prepared for any bends that really tightened up, thus minimising any surprises.

I can't quite get a handle on this "feature". I found if I'm on a road suitable for having some fun on, I don't have time to be looking at the screen all the time, even with it placed where I only have to drop my eyes a little. If I'm not on such a road, then I can judge for myself, as I'll be taking it easier anyway.

Re: Do you use a GPS on holidays by bike - robbo - 06-12-17

Hi Nick,
When we were on canyon type of roads, it was useful to know if a bend was likely to sharply tighten up as the bend signs didn't seem to differentiate between those that could be taken sportily or cautiously.It only takes a glance way before the bend comes up. I thought it helped to keep the pace up with less possibility of any drama.

Re: Do you use a GPS on holidays by bike - unfazed - 06-12-17

(06-12-17, 12:49 AM)robbo link Wrote: Used GPS for the first time abroad this year. Only relied on it to take the stress out of navigating through any large towns that were encountered. Found it handy to set the speed to be read in kph, bearing in mind the number of speed cameras in France now. It was also useful in the twisties to be prepared for any bends that really tightened up, thus minimising any surprises.

This really has me intrigued, if I am hit the apexes, even in the car the last thing I would be looking at is a Sat Nav on the dash :eek :eek :eek

Re: Do you use a GPS on holidays by bike - nick crisp - 06-12-17

It's daft Pat. If you're riding roads you're unfamiliar with, you'll presumably keep the speed down a bit anyway, and use the "slow in, fast out" philosophy. And if you're pushing on, I don't know about others, but my eyes will be looking for all the clues that are imminent. And most of the canyon/mountain roads I've ridden would mean glancing down at the screen almost constantly, as the bends come up one after another - that's why we like to ride them, isn't it?

I turn most of the features off, otherwise I get warning beeps and boops every few seconds. Animal crossing?! Do I really need that? What about in Wales, where every bit of road is regarded by sheep as fair game? :lol

Re: Do you use a GPS on holidays by bike - robbo - 06-12-17

Well all I can say is that for a first time experience of having GPS on a bike abroad, having an idea of how tight blind bends are likely to be was an asset. I don't have any audio set up so no distractions on that front.

Re: Do you use a GPS on holidays by bike - unfazed - 07-12-17

(06-12-17, 08:33 PM)Hedgetrimmer link Wrote: It's daft Pat. If you're riding roads you're unfamiliar with, you'll presumably keep the speed down a bit anyway, and use the "slow in, fast out" philosophy. And if you're pushing on, I don't know about others, but my eyes will be looking for all the clues that are imminent. And most of the canyon/mountain roads I've ridden would mean glancing down at the screen almost constantly, as the bends come up one after another - that's why we like to ride them, isn't it?

I turn most of the features off, otherwise I get warning beeps and boops every few seconds. Animal crossing?! Do I really need that? What about in Wales, where every bit of road is regarded by sheep as fair game? :lol

Same here Nick, so many clues available and using the "vanishing point" in this situation is also a vital part of your arsenal of knowledge.

Robbo I would seriously attempt to dissuade you from that practice simply because Sat Navs maps are not always right up to date, whereas your wits are always up to date with the latest information. Sat Navs/Gps are aids/guides in navigation nothing else, hone your road riding skills, no distractions live longer. Just like in Mountaineering they tell you almost exactly where you are and a possible route to your destination.