ernok1923

Just curious if anyone has decided to plan a route using Google Earth. Obviously, this would be easier for a short tour, maybe only a few days, but it seems like an interesting idea.

jamawani 

I'll stick with USGS topos - thank you very much.
Plus state DOT traffic volume maps and county road maps.
Still the best.

dbuzi123

I used it to investigate an off road detour of devil's slide in California. It helped a lot to get a general lay of the land, but I'm not sure you could really plan a whole trip with it. It is useful to check out roads though, if you are unfamiliar with the area.

desmo13

I overlay maps on google earth, neat way to really get a look at the terrain without being there

markf

I used it for my Tuscany tour last May to get an idea of how to get around Florence and in and out of the airport and a few big towns, and to look for ways around a few long tunnels. It'sa good supplement for a map, but it's definitely not a substitute for a map, IMO.

Bekologist

i can never get the extension cord for the computer long enough.....

Cyclist0094

I still carry paper maps, I found this google earth app for walkers and runners that also lets you plot and measure distance. https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/

truman

At least in the Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas area, Google maps is missing some rather large chunks of some pretty major roads that I'd really have liked to know about.

IdiotMD

Maps and compasses never run out of battery power, don't break when dropped (so long as your compass didn't come from a Crack Jacks box), and work under adverse conditions (freezing temperatures, rain, sleet, snow, hail, etc). In my humble opinion, it's fine to use a GPS/Google Earth when travelling but its always good to have a compass and map as back up.

johntrev

Have you tried Bikely (https://www.bikely.com/)?

Search through the bike route database or add your own favorite ride, all using Google maps.

This is a fabulous resource and will only get better as more rides are added--do your part and enter a ride!

ernok1923

to clarify, using google earth would be done before the trip, not during, so concerns about batteries aren't going to be a problem. the information would be used to create a new map of the route.

bikely.com seems like a cool place to look. thanks for the tip.

Terrapax

Something rather amazing that I discovered was the ability to import the GPS from the free GPS links on the Adventure Cycling Association web site. It makes it easy to get a feel for what the terrain is really like on their routes.

redden

I've used it for planning but since getting the lg9800 with VZnavigator planning a trip is no longer necessary.

Saddleview

Google is a GREAT alternative to buying expensive maps. Especially when you already have a good idea of where the route is.

chephy

I love Google Earth/Maps! They are GREAT!!! BUT - I'll never rely on them alone. There is a number of inaccuracies. For example, they don't seem to show bridges at all: if one road goes above another, Google Maps shows them as intersecting! Also, there are no trails shown there.

I'll definitely use Google Earth to help me plan a route, but I'd get a paper map as well...

Dahon.Steve

I just purchased a RayOvac 15 minute charger. All you have to do is pop into a store, ask the owner for 15 minutes of electricity and you're set for another 2 or 3 days! Carry 6 batteries and you have enough juice to last more than a week!.

I lost my old Garmin Legend and purchased the newer Garmin Legend CX and can't believe how much better the new unit is. The technology has advanced alot in the past 3 years. I was going to buy a more expensive unit but this one impressed me so much, it satisfied my needs. I looked at the memory and could not believe that they put 64 MB in a chip a little bigger than a pencil eraser!The device is now in color with longer battery life, locates the satalites faster and is more accurate than ever. I won't go back to maps.