For certain the OP doesn't like my injection of jocularity into his thread. Or maybe I'm the one misunderstanding.

I've often used ride maps to help me pick a route. I don't pick based on the number of people that ride that route. I pick it because it matches the type of ride I want to with the elevation gain/loss and yes, how secure I might feel riding that route.

I guess the post should have stated that no one is to respond unless they have been to Rome and know of a route.