| In this part of the guide I will focus on maps. You can | | | | portion of your total route. This allows a better level of |
| read this section alone but I recommend checking out | | | | detail and can help you organize your ride. How the |
| part 1 and part 2 of this guide first. | | | | maps are divided into panels determine how useful the |
| The bike maps you carry can make or break parts of | | | | map is. |
| your tour. You should get some kind of handlebar | | | | If the maps show too much area then then off route |
| mounted bike map holder so that you can read | | | | areas will lack detail. This can become a problem if |
| relevant sections while you are riding. The bike maps | | | | you take a wrong turn; are forced to detour from |
| should also be formatted for use while riding a bike. | | | | construction; or you just want to go off route. On the |
| Taking a region map and folding it into a shape that will | | | | other hand maps that are too detailed wont show |
| fit onto your map holder is not nearly as effective as | | | | much distance and will force you to stop and switch |
| using a map that was designed for cycling. When it | | | | panels often. If you ride through cities then having a |
| comes down to it you have three major options with | | | | high level of detail is a good thing. On the other hand |
| maps. The first is plain text directions. While they aren't | | | | long stretches of highway riding are good places |
| strictly a map they are sufficient, provided you don't | | | | where the map can zoom out and show a lot of |
| miss your turns. Personally I can't use just the text | | | | ground. Ultimately the best bike maps will strike a |
| alone. | | | | balance between detail and distance. |
| I like to use a combination of text and graphics. The | | | | While you are planning for your tour try not to over |
| maps I used had a graphical representation of the | | | | think things. Riding off into the sunset on a bicycle is |
| route and on the side the text directions were given as | | | | not like firing a cannon, you can always change your |
| well. Lastly if you feel that the route you will be taking | | | | course. If something isn't working for you, fix it. If you |
| is simple enough you could use maps without text | | | | aren't having fun then stop riding. Take a rest day, |
| directions. Regardless of the map format you choose | | | | enjoy your time! Lastly always remember: There is no |
| if you want to read a bike map while riding it will need | | | | wrong way to tour. |
| to be divided into panels. Each panel will only show a | | | | |