Using Google Maps' Bike-Route Suggestions for Touring?
 

Google Maps has a specific bicycle route feature, described here:

http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2010/...ogle-maps.html

How does this stack up against other resources for touring-route information?

Niles, although it generally works, often there is a better more bike friendly route if you're knowledgeable enough. We did find on one occasion that Google claimed there was a small road where there was nothing but an old hedgerow, which did leave us scratching our heads??

I used it a bit while touring this summer. While it was handy for getting general biking directions ( and especially useful for finding not-so-obvious dedicated bike routes ), there were times when it picked wildly inappropriate roads when a much better alternative was close by; i.e. major, busy highways with no shoulders as opposed to secondary roads.

So it's certainly useful, but needs to be taken with a grain of salt.

I had the same experience with Google Maps on a car trip in VA - it claimed that there was a road going up what turned out to be a sheer cliff. :-) It only took us around 30 miles to get back on track...

Yep. Good as a reference, but don't rely on it as being completely truthful.

mulveyer, yea, one time Google maps showed a bridge crossing this small river and when we got there it was obvious that this bridge had been out for years. No way to cross, banks were too steep even if we did want to take a chance and wade. Cost us bunches of miles backtracking in order to find another way to cross. Not a happy camper was I

I routinely us G. maps to day dream about upcoming tour routes and take a satellite look at questionable areas. On a long tour, I'll get a set of state maps and transfer most of the Google routing, leaving out what I don't like. I then cut and tape the state maps together into a foldable version.

Google is like Garmin's City Navigator. Don't trust it, and verify as often as you can.

Damn you, Google Maps!

I won't start off on a rant about it this time, but don't rely on Google Bike directions unless you're riding a dirtbike and can follow the directions cross-country up power-line routes, 30 degree gravel inclines and freeway ramps!
For the love of your bike, get a second opinion on your route!

I use if for planning only, local knowledge and current paper maps are the best bet.

Aaron :)

Another +1 on it not being reliable enough. I use it for general planning. Online maps are good for getting a general idea of directions, because they can be zoomed to desired level. But I make all the actual route plans on paper maps.

Of course, I never follow the actual route plans 100%. But that's another story. :D

--J

Don't use is for touring in idaho thats the only advise i can give, made that mistake once, it was a good thing i had a good ole fashioned topo map with me.