Online road maps for my trip to Port Waikato

[p.dath]

I've decided to go for a ride to Port Waikato this morning (mostly because I have never been there).

So now to plan the route. Anything paper based is out.

Of the online maps out there, Google Maps really stand out. Its easy to use, gives me good driving directions, and lets me see pictures of the key points along the way, including what the destination looks like.
And the estimated "driving" time is good.

I wouldn't want to own a business like Wises. Their mapping product sales must surely be dropping off. Sure their online product works, but is far inferior compared to Google Maps. All you get from Wises is simple driving instructions, and even then, when I search on "Port Waikato" I get given four possible destinations.

I think I might take my Navman just in case I get lost, but I doubt I'll need it.

What do you use for planning rides to places you have not been to before?

[Maha]

I use the 'Um Factor'...
Um, where do I wont to go and Um, maybe someone whos coming will know the way oh, and Um, whats for lunch!!

[p.dath]

Alas all of my mates are busy so it's going to be just me today, and as I've never been there it would involve a lot of Um factor. :-)

[Laxi]

keep an eye on where the sun is

[Mumbles]

I use the take a look at a map (google) then petrol, now i factor in about 1/4 gas on sh*t i'd better turn around i'm not lost and still need to get home factor.

Port Waikato used to be a nice ride but havent lived in Auckland for a while now. :scooter: so not sure of the road condition, its wise to look out for stock (mostly goats) that used to run out on the road though

[Big Dave]

>>What do you use for planning rides to places you have not been to before?<<

AA roads atlas.

[Maha]

Alas all of my mates are busy so it's going to be just me today, and as I've never been there it would involve a lot of Um factor. :-)

Great day for it mate, I have never been there either, will do one day, but today I will be heading in a Northerly direction.

[peasea]

What do you use for planning rides to places you have not been to before?


A dart board.

[slofox]

Motowhere FTW.

Google based but you can draw your routes and save 'em and share 'em...

[mowgli]

Motowhere
Nice find. That site looks really good.

[Gremlin]

What do you use for planning rides to places you have not been to before?
Garmin Mapsource... load into GPS, done :yes:

[YellowDog]

Motowhere FTW.

Google based but you can draw your routes and save 'em and share 'em...
+1 for Mr Fox

[RC1]

Motowhere FTW.

Google based but you can draw your routes and save 'em and share 'em...

i have a few on there under RCTL

[Big Dave]

Apart from all that - it's a ride to Port Waikato.
You don't need logistics.
You could follow the signs and do it on a push bike.

[gijoe1313]

Port Waikato is a nice wee pootle, good stop at the dairy for a pie and a drink and a quick slash at the jakes ... don't forget to keep riding on and see the beach!

[Big Dave]

don't forget to keep riding on and see Raglan

There ya go Joe - fixed.

[CookMySock]

Google Maps really stand out. [....] And the estimated "driving" time is good.Eh? I find their trip times way out. On along journey I can easily cut an hour off their times. Just to the beach and back from here google suggests is 45 mins drive, when it is half that.


I wouldn't want to own a business like Wises. Their mapping product sales must surely be dropping off. Sure their online product works, but is far inferior compared to Google Maps.Certainly google has all the geek toys, but wises I find much more accurate in terms of trip times and local roads.

If I feel the need for directions, I will look up both wises and google maps and compare. The difference is often quite interesting.

Google maps is obviously better if you want to specify the route, particularly for a circular route back to the starting point - wises doesn't have a hope in hell of pulling a stunt like that. Google maps is an unparalleled tool for publishing a suggested route for a group ride, or taking a collaborative approach to the same.

Steve

[p.dath]

Eh? I find their trip times way out. On along journey I can easily cut an hour off their times. Just to the beach and back from here google suggests is 45 mins drive, when it is half that.

Certainly google has all the geek toys, but wises I find much more accurate in terms of trip times and local roads.

If I feel the need for directions, I will look up both wises and google maps and compare. The difference is often quite interesting.

Google maps is obviously better if you want to specify the route, particularly for a circular route back to the starting point - wises doesn't have a hope in hell of pulling a stunt like that. Google maps is an unparalleled tool for publishing a suggested route for a group ride, or taking a collaborative approach to the same.

Steve

I used to use Wises online all the time, thinking because it was local it should be better. But the more I use it and Google and I find that it Wises is not keeping up. I'm kinda getting to the stage where I can't be bothered with Wises anymore. It has devalued too much.

[Big Dave]

How was the ride then?

Would be funny if you said 'I got lost'.

I rate resources that you can carry with you more important than the planning ones.

But I don't over-plan anyway.
Preferring to ride on what side of the islands or direction that the weather is best.

[Gremlin]

I rate resources that you can carry with you more important than the planning ones.
Hell yeah... gijoe reckons I have got him more lost WITH my gps, than without.

Once you've had the fun of being lost however, you just tell it to go home... and away you go! :sunny:

[gijoe1313]

Hell yeah... gijoe reckons I have got him more lost WITH my gps, than without.

Once you've had the fun of being lost however, you just tell it to go home... and away you go! :sunny:

You do realise my patented method is to keep riding ... when you see water on one side, you either head up or down and you should end up somewhere recognisable! :innocent:

If you see a lighthouse and lots of water north, head south a bit. If you see water to the south, head north a bit ... east and west similar! There ya goes! Easy peasy, lemon squeezies! :sunny:

[p.dath]

How was the ride then?
...

Check out my blog posting. :)