how do you find your way on a long trip?
 

I want to bike about 80 miles to a city I am unfamiliar with. The problem is that there are lots of lakes and interstates to contend with, and the roads I want to take lead into busy cities. Once into the city, I can't seem to track the roads with my maps.
I have tried to map the route out but can’t seem to find any direct routes (even indirect ones are elusive). I have used three different maps (including a bike specific one).
Do you just bring maps with you and wing it on the fly or am I missing something here.:(

you need an all of the above choice. After my ride today I have decide that I need to include local map of the area sometimes the maps and cue sheets can be confusing and not to scale so it helps to have a detailed road map with you. Always be flexible with your routing you never know what you may run into out there, we ran into new gravel and oil pavement on our ride today and since we were on road bikes we didn't want to ride 5 more miles on that kind of surface so we had to adapt. And then again there are times I just jump on my bike and wing it those sometimes turn out to be the best rides.

.....I know it's tough, but don't be afraid to ask for directions.....

Next trip I'm planning on taking a PocketPC equipped with GPS. Maps are invaluable for telling you where you want to go, but don't tell you where you are. This can be a problem in another country where you don't speak the language.

GPS..it is amazing.

Combination of the above. Like MsVicki says, a GPS is great as you can not only get directions on most state or county roads, you can also get a very rough estimate to your destination via the Goto feature.

Jay