thanks. =] im having a read through the links, im thinking of going for the gps as i dont want to keep buying OS maps, (the total cost of 15 maps will probs equal the cost of a GPS?)

im currently reading though your link, is http://ridewithgps.com/ a good website for planning a route? when i did a quick search i found that most route planners dont do long routes, and then its linking the GPS to the maps. with the planned route on it, is all this easy? also which device would you recomend? i was looking at garmin etrek 20 or 30. is there a better or cheaper option?