hilltowner

My first experience using the Google bike directions toggle on their maps program came last summer on a ride from W.Mass. to St. Damase, PQ and back. I didn't carry any maps, just the Google directions which are very specific even down to the number of feet needed between turns when appropriate. I was sorry not to have the maps on occasion though. Whatever database/algorithm they use leads to some exceedingly confusing even non-existent turns every now and then. Once off route, the directions become useless and without a map it's hard to return to the route later on. The big issue is that the detail needed for accomplishing that requires a suitcase full of maps on a long ride. I'm bringing a GPS along on this summer's ride and hope that can make up for the occasional inadequacies of the directions.

That said, I'm planning a ride to Algoquin Prov. Park and back this summer and the outward leg, courtesy of Google again, takes me through Ottawa. I wonder if there are any places online or on the approach to the city, to pick up bike maps to help me supplement the Google directions which look confusing enough. I suspect that sometimes Google directs one to a "proposed" bike path where none presently exists. At one point I'm being directed to follow Riverside Dr and cross the Rideau River on the Hunt Club Rd. bridge. It's clearly labeled a bike route on the Google map. For anyone who cycles in Ottawa does that seem reasonable?

transporterjr

I have mixed results. Don't expect too much. It put me onto a "bike trail" in VT. the rangers were confused when I asked about it. Turns out it is a mtn bike trail that few, if any use, although it had a clear sign for it right off the park road, You have to carry your bike at times - certainly would not work for most.
The other bike "trail" it found was great until having to go over a dam with a series of unridable switch backs meant for walking. Why the ranger did not suggest that it was not suitable for loaded touring bikes is beyond me. IT became apparent that later that the Ranger had not even walked the 5 miles of trails within the park - strange.... Usually rangers are your best resource, apparently this one was content to sit in a booth until reaping retirement benefits someday, but I digress.

However, elsewhere it will find a bike trail that perhaps you would not known about. Bascially it will keep you off the interstate, but don't exepct it to pick good roads for cycling. Someday after feedback from users, and IF Google can digest and implement all that feedback, it might be good - someday.

prathmann

Yes, please use the feedback option they provide when you find problems with their routing. I've suggested a number of changes in my local area and they have been incorporated in their maps. Their response time varies quite a bit, presumably depending on where they are in their development cycle for the next map version.

staehpj1

One problem is that not all cyclists have the same preferences, so they can't win. I know that in places where I would complain that they took me out of my way to put me on a bike path that I would just as soon avoid, someone else may well have preferred that route.

That said they mostly do a pretty good job. Best to do a reality check when possible. Google Maps Street View is good for that.

linus

I've been using it for a some time now and it's brilliant.

Andrew Ren

Hi there,
i am in Ottawa, and planning touring over to Algonquin as well this summer.
it depends on which way you choose to approcaching Ottawa. From Montreal or ogdensburg, ny.
But I would suggest you go thru downtown ottawa get onto Ottawa riverside bike trail, behind the parliament hill, that will lead you right thru Ottawa, along the riverside. And you can keep going all the way to Renfrew, then turn west to Algonquin, or you can just follow Ottawa river up to patawawa, then approach algonquin for nits north gateway.

Let me know if you have furthered questions. Email me at Andrew.ren@ctv.ca.

Cheers

Andrew

raybo

I don't use Google bike routing. I prefer to use maps, either on-line or paper, read journals, email locals, and seek advice on bike touring forums. I use Google Street View all the time to check that a particular road is suitable for biking.

Here are couple links you might find useful. This one is on-line map of bike routes in Ottawa. The interface is a bit clunky and the link to an "emap" version doesn't work:

https://apps104.ottawa.ca/emap/?lang=...wa_cycling.mwf

Here is a discussion here at bikeforums about bike touring options near Ottawa:
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...he-Ottawa-area

Good luck and have a great time.

mulveyr 

The usefulness of maps and routing depend somewhat on the platform, too. The Android version has had the ability to cache blocks of maps and allow re-routing, even without a data connection, for at least a year or so. It's been a couple of years since I've had an iPhone, so I don't know whether Google has kept the features synced up.

That being said, I've had about 80% success when touring. In urban areas, the maps and routing tend to be about as good as anything I'd come up with when using a paper map, and no local knowledge. In more rural areas, it has done some absolutely bizarre routings, and semi-frequently has points of interest in entirely the wrong place. Once it even tried to route me down the Erie Canal... in an area where there was no towpath. :-)