Paper maps

[Gary B.]

yes....as wrapping paper

 

[Kneescrubber]

yes....as wrapping paper

I don't wrap presents. Ask my kids.












And my grandkids.  

[jeepinbanditrider]

I have a GPS and carry paper maps of the area or areas where I'm going.  They are cheap enough I usually buy them along the way and most state visitor centers on the state line give out free state maps.  

I also keep a map of Fort Worth and Dallas in my tankbag but no other city unless I know I'm going there for some reason.

[MContevita]

Although I do grab the free maps from the state line visitor centers, I've noticed they're not detailed enough to show the back roads.  If I'm concerned with riding the main thoroughfares then those maps are just fine.  I've been reading maps since I was a kid and upgraded to topographical maps and compass reading when I was in ROTC back in high school.  If you can triangulate yourself on a topographical map (or can call out coordinates) then you've done something right.    

When riding I use only paper maps in the clear map reader pocket on my tank bag; I don't mind looking down to see the map because it forces me to slow down and "smell the roses".  I'm in no hurry when I do most of my riding.   If I've got to be someplace and that's the whole point of that particular ride,  then I'm using a map that I've highlighted my route on and I've got a Post-it Note in the corner of the map with specifics that I should be paying attention to, i.e. exit number, highway numbers, merges, etc.  

I thought about purchasing a GPS but they can fail, leading on an unintended route, I'd worry about it breaking, being stolen or falling off the bike.   I don't want to absolutely depend on one to get me on my way either, it would eventually feel like a crutch to me, but that's just me.  

About a month ago I was riding along some hardtop back roads and I got "lost".  It turns out that the paper map was 12 years old and some new roads were added to the area and I completely forgot to upgrade my map.  Now, if I can find a local source for topographical maps I'll be happy; I guess I could always support an online vendor, but I'd rather spend my cash locally.

Anyhow, your mileage may vary these are just ramblings of my own.

[sprint_st]

.  I've been reading maps since I was a kid and upgraded to topographical maps and compass reading when I was in ROTC back in high school.  If you can triangulate yourself on a topographical map (or can call out coordinates) then you've done something right.    

I thought about purchasing a GPS but they can fail, leading on an unintended route, I'd worry about it breaking, being stolen or falling off the bike.   I don't want to absolutely depend on one to get me on my way either, it would eventually feel like a crutch to me, but that's just me.  

About a month ago I was riding along some hardtop back roads and I got "lost".  It turns out that the paper map was 12 years old and some new roads were added to the area and I completely forgot to upgrade my map.  Now, if I can find a local source for topographical maps I'll be happy; I guess I could always support an online vendor, but I'd rather spend my cash locally.

You can order Topo's online from a bunch of places. Try REI and other such camping places too. They are excellent for dual sporters but most are at least 5 -10 years old unless you are in a state like PA which kicks in money to the USGS to have them done on a regular basis.  I used hate Mad Maps because they left out most of the good secondary roads, but for the last year or two they have been excellent.  Although bulky those state map books you get in Barnes & Nobles and other book stores are excellent too.

[jeepinbanditrider]

I've found the free stateline maps to be just as detailed as anything I can find in a store in my area. Anything more detailed I have to either order online or get maps that divide the state up and add too much bulk to my packing.

And on longer trips I like to stay off the interstates but don't want to wind up so far back in the side roads I can't make good time.


Sent from my iPhone

[Kneescrubber]

If you're using state / province maps for touring outside most urban areas, as I'm sure most riders do, they just don't have the detail of many secondary roads that you will find on a GPS. Many of those roads only appear on the sort of maps that Delorme publishes in those big atlas books.

DeLorme is my road bible. I have their atlases of most states west of the Mississippi. The greatest thing about their atlases (that I have) is the binding. Glue binding allows me to rip pages out, fold them up and stick them in a sealed plastic bag so I don't lose them. Wait.  

[jeepinbanditrider]

I've got one of the Delorme Road Atlas for Texas.  It's super detailed...............but none of the secondary roads are named at all so all you have is a red line on a map that has no meaning to me.  The only way I've been able to get it to work has been to use it in conjunction with my GPS and match the bends of the road up with the road on my GPS which has a name on it.  Kinda time consuming.

[2RR2NV]

I have a handheld GPS (Garmin Oregon) which is useful for finding geocaches and if I should get lost, but frankly there's nothing like the foldable, and free, AAA maps.  It's probably a link to my childhood when I used to sit in the back of the car during road trips and navigate using the free Gousha and Rand McNally maps that the gas stations gave away.  Burying my head in a map in the back seat on a hot day (before air conditioning) was infinitely better than arguing with my sister.

when i was 8, my parents started putting me in Shotgun cause i loved calculating MPG, ETAs, best routes, you name it. they came to that conclusion when i was looking at maps OTW to Washingon D.C. (Mom and Dad were NOT in agreement on which way to go) and i said that we  should "Go thataway!!!" i think my Dad was so fed up that to shut me & mom up, he just went on my directions....  next thing ya know, we were driving thru downtown D.C. Parents were exceedingly happy. after that, the rest is history.

I've always had the ability to know what direction i need to go and not needing a map. i get that lil voice in the back of my head letting me know when i'm not going the right way.  had it happen just a few weeks ago while riding around the Ozarks. first time really riding around the area. GPS told us to go one way....  we headed onward and it wasn't 1/4 - 1/2 mile down that road and that lil voice was naggin me...  since the GPS was on one of the other guy's Droid, figured it had to be pretty accurate. nope. after goin how many miles. pulled over, took a look and sure enough, wrong turnoff. headed back and got on the RIGHT road.


and yes, i would rather use maps than GPS. my luck with GPS while riding is 0. gimme a map and an address, and i can find what i need to. also, if i'm by myself or with my Uncle David, we think the same by just heading a direction and randomly picking turns. after riding for however many hours, we stop and figure out where we are at, then take off once again. we keep doing that til we feel like goin home. then we'll decide which way to go and stick to it.

[Global Rider]

anyone besides me use them?

All the time.

I have a pouch with about 10 maps in it when I am on tour. It weighs a bit, but its the only way to really plan your next days tour over dinner and to find the really great roads.

My GPS is primarily used for track logging so that I can see where I've been after 6 weeks on the road.  

[Bravo12]

GPS for navigation, paper maps for planning. I'll bring paper maps on trips, then break them out from time to time to get a general idea of where I am and where I want to go. Finding waypoints on the map, I put them into the GPS and off I go. It's much easier to find the squiggly lines on a map; zooming out on the GPS screen usually makes the good roads disappear.

[sprint_st]

GPS for navigation, paper maps for planning. I'll bring paper maps on trips, then break them out from time to time to get a general idea of where I am and where I want to go. Finding waypoints on the map, I put them into the GPS and off I go. It's much easier to find the squiggly lines on a map; zooming out on the GPS screen usually makes the good roads disappear.

You got it!!!   You may trust your Garmin, but I have learned the hard way that they can route you to Hawaii by way of London.  I forgot my paper maps and was in SE Ohio. There are a zillion really nice roads between Barnsville and Lower Salem where I was going.  The GPS got me where I wanted to go, BUT once off the "main" roads I wasn't sure of anything.  Sure wish I had my paper map.  Oh, by the way, OH came up with some money, 26 and a whole bunch of those 5XX roads are in great shape.