Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > General Cycling Discussion
Reload this Page >

Road apps or maps??

Search
Notices
General Cycling Discussion Have a cycling related question or comment that doesn't fit in one of the other specialty forums? Drop on in and post in here! When possible, please select the forum above that most fits your post!

Road apps or maps??

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 06-19-19 | 07:23 PM
  #1  
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: NW Ohio
Road apps or maps??

Wondering if there are any apps or such that list roads and their conditions? Preferably by state and county. The roads around my area are an absolute mess and while they are paved, they are much more suited for a full suspension mountain bike and not a road bike. The pot holes will kill your wheels. It'd be nice to go somewhere to ride with decent roads.
moto367 is offline  
Reply
Old 06-19-19 | 08:03 PM
  #2  
jadocs's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 2,190
Likes: 529
From: USA

Bikes: Ti, Mn Cr Ni Mo Nb, Al, C

Originally Posted by moto367
Wondering if there are any apps or such that list roads and their conditions? Preferably by state and county. The roads around my area are an absolute mess and while they are paved, they are much more suited for a full suspension mountain bike and not a road bike. The pot holes will kill your wheels. It'd be nice to go somewhere to ride with decent roads.
I’d be very surprised if something like that exists to the granularity you are looking for. Google street view is not even available everywhere. It’s hard to imagine something having accurate road conditions beyond paved and dirt.
jadocs is offline  
Reply
Old 06-19-19 | 09:45 PM
  #3  
Banned
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 43,586
Likes: 1,380
From: NW,Oregon Coast

Bikes: 8

I like Maps, printed, on paper. Europe has better Maps of their land, ud only Delotme \

or state by state printed ... ORDOT coast route map, is good,

and free..




..

Last edited by fietsbob; 06-19-19 at 09:51 PM.
fietsbob is offline  
Reply
Old 06-20-19 | 02:01 AM
  #4  
canklecat's Avatar
Me duelen las nalgas
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 13,519
Likes: 2,832
From: Texas

Bikes: Centurion Ironman, Trek 5900, Univega Via Carisma, Globe Carmel

Check out maps.me. It uses OpenStreetMap data. And other apps using OSM also offer alternative maps that are updated more frequently based on user input. Occasionally those are more up to date than Google and other maps.

However those maps tend to tell us only whether a road is finished or open, not necessarily the condition.

Checking bikepacking and touring groups on Facebook and elsewhere. They'll often have the most up to date info on road conditions based on direct rider experience.

Other popular apps with up to date info:
Komoot
Map My Ride

chasingwatts.com website and app (iOS only at the moment) is new to me. I'm not familiar with it but a couple of local groups have switched to it for organizing group rides when it's necessary to make quick changes to accommodate road conditions.
canklecat is offline  
Reply
Old 06-20-19 | 02:26 AM
  #5  
Machka's Avatar
In Real Life
Titanium Club Membership
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 52,159
Likes: 774
From: Down under down under

Bikes: Lots

Google Street View

And I get weekly reports about all the construction projects going on in the State.
Machka is offline  
Reply
Old 06-20-19 | 06:06 AM
  #6  
Kapusta's Avatar
Advanced Slacker
5 Anniversary
 
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 6,286
Likes: 2,602

Bikes: Soma Fog Cutter, Surly Wednesday, Canfielld Tilt

I use Google street view to identify roads that are likely too busy / fast for me tastes. I am looking for less used and therefore often less maintained roads, so it is kind of the opposite of what you want. The issue I run into is that the roads I am seeking are the ones less likely to have street view available. In your case it should work in your favor, and the more maintained roads are better covered by street view.

Of course, since going with 35-38mm tires on my rod bike, crappy roads are no problem.
Kapusta is offline  
Reply
Old 06-20-19 | 09:19 AM
  #7  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,770
Likes: 369
From: Orange County, CA
Many cities and counties have a Pavement Condition Index (PCI)
Elvo is offline  
Reply
Old 07-24-19 | 07:48 AM
  #8  
Senior Member
15 Anniversary
Community Builder
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 15,308
Likes: 1,779
From: Far beyond the pale horizon.
Originally Posted by fietsbob
I like Maps, printed, on paper. Europe has better Maps of their land, ud only Delotme \

or state by state printed ... ORDOT coast route map, is good,

and free..



..
Your useless reply doesn’t address the question the OP asked.

Bizarre.
njkayaker is offline  
Reply
Old 07-24-19 | 08:08 AM
  #9  
Kapusta's Avatar
Advanced Slacker
5 Anniversary
 
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 6,286
Likes: 2,602

Bikes: Soma Fog Cutter, Surly Wednesday, Canfielld Tilt

Originally Posted by njkayaker
Your useless reply doesn’t address the question the OP asked.

Bizarre.
Uhhh.... this is fietsbob you are talking about. A coherent, on-topic response is what would be truly bizarre.
Kapusta is offline  
Reply
Old 07-24-19 | 08:22 AM
  #10  
Senior Member
15 Anniversary
Community Builder
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 15,308
Likes: 1,779
From: Far beyond the pale horizon.
Originally Posted by Kapusta
Uhhh.... this is fietsbob you are talking about. A coherent, on-topic response is what would be truly bizarre.
A GPS killed his father.
njkayaker is offline  
Reply
Old 07-24-19 | 02:01 PM
  #11  
Wilfred Laurier's Avatar
Señor Member
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 5,070
Likes: 306
Originally Posted by njkayaker
A GPS killed his father.
Back then they called them 'electric maps'
Wilfred Laurier is offline  
Reply
Old 07-25-19 | 06:34 AM
  #12  
Newbie
 
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Definitely maps
MartinIan is offline  
Reply
Old 07-25-19 | 06:36 AM
  #13  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,025
Likes: 154
From: Boston area

Bikes: 1984 Bridgestone 400 1985Univega nouevo sport 650b conversion 1993b'stone RBT 1985 Schwinn Tempo

Maps are good for your brain. Really. By using a map you are forced to memorize things, and they help you orient yourself. Most animals, including us have an inate ability to navigate, and maps help us. Some apps especially the devices in cars that tell you to "turn left here" etc. don't engage your brain and the part of your brain devoted to navigation will atrophy.

Roads in New England are also in terrible shape, especially after winter, with its freeze-thaw- refreeze cycle. Thats why I have 42mm wide tires on my bikes.

Last edited by ironwood; 07-25-19 at 06:40 AM.
ironwood is offline  
Reply
Old 07-25-19 | 08:28 AM
  #14  
NoWhammies's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,992
Likes: 513
From: Pacific Northwest

Bikes: Argon 18 Gallium, BH G7, Rocky Mountain Instinct C70

I'm throwing my hat in the ring for Google Street View. Shows you if there is a bike lane, the quality of the road, and sometimes you can get an idea of the volume of traffic too.
NoWhammies is offline  
Reply
Old 07-25-19 | 11:43 AM
  #15  
Senior Member
15 Anniversary
Community Builder
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 8,625
Likes: 3,541
From: South shore, L.I., NY

Bikes: Trek Emonda SL7, Cannondale Topstone, Miyata City Liner, Specialized Chisel, Specialized Epic Evo

Originally Posted by ironwood
Maps are good for your brain. Really. By using a map you are forced to memorize things, and they help you orient yourself. Most animals, including us have an inate ability to navigate, and maps help us. Some apps especially the devices in cars that tell you to "turn left here" etc. don't engage your brain and the part of your brain devoted to navigation will atrophy.

Roads in New England are also in terrible shape, especially after winter, with its freeze-thaw- refreeze cycle. Thats why I have 42mm wide tires on my bikes.
Agree totally with the usefulness of printed maps. I read them at breakfast.

Unfortunately it's not really what the OP was asking as he was desiring "any apps or such" that would give him updates as to road conditions. And as much as I like printed maps, they are not timely as to road conditions.

I think Google Maps likely will have the most recent information as they update faster than anybody.
Steve B. is online now  
Reply
Old 07-25-19 | 03:19 PM
  #16  
Banned
 
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 732
Likes: 3
From: Providence

Bikes: Specialized tarmac sl2 giant tcx zero

osmAND has avoid dirt roads feature , when google takes me through the woods and over streams on my carbon race bike :
Teamprovicycle is offline  
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
nightshade18
General Cycling Discussion
4
04-12-16 06:12 AM
DanWho
Fifty Plus (50+)
10
04-16-15 09:58 AM
Mort Canard
Fifty Plus (50+)
25
06-01-12 06:35 AM
guy2600
Northeast
5
10-04-10 07:59 AM
Pedaleur
Southeast
2
09-29-10 06:11 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.