What To Do

Categories

Social Bookmarks

Feeds

Cycling Forum: new cyclist wondering how to remember directions

Bottom of Page

1 to 10 of 10

  1.  
    • CommentAuthorFree MemberStephalus
    • CommentTimeJul 26th 2008
     
    Stephalus

    Hello all!

    I am a month into my cycling career and having problems figuring out a method for remembering the directions of a cycling route.  When I'm going on a ride with only a few (5-8) turns, sometimes I write the directions on the back of my hand, but my hands aren't big enough to write much more than that.  

    How do you guys remember where to go when you're in a new city/town or exploring a new part of your current place?  I'd like to try some of the rides posted here but am afraid I will get lost or have to stop all the time to pull out a map.

    Thanks! 

  2.  
    PeteRepeat42

    Don't think of it as getting lost, think of it as going on an adventure.

     Now in all seriousness:  before going on the ride sit down and try to remember as many turns as you can and try to visualize the map as you do it.  Even if you  can't remember every turn, when you see the street signs as you ride it will ring a bell.  And if you get really lost, there's no shame in pulling out a map.

  3.  
    1st_Time_Cyclist
    I try to stick with the major intersection's names. If I tried to remember all of the places I'd turn I'd never figure it out. Also I try to do loops, or just go in a straight line for the whole ride and then just return the same way I got there. I move out of San Dimas Ca about 20 yrs ago and now I'm back trying to remember all the places I use to go, its fun and tricky. Good Luck
    • CommentAuthorPremium Member!wightboi
    • CommentTimeJul 26th 2008 edited
     
    wightboi

    when I moved and started riding in an unfamiliar area I had a straight out and back ride, then each week I would add one or two easy to remember turns off the main road, that would put me back on the main road - since I was new to the area each week i got to see a little more of the area so it kept it fresh... after a while I had a decent ride going, and by then i had lived there a couple months and new the area better.

    welcome to the cycling family and good luck!!!

    PS: don't be afraid of printing out the map and trying new rides - just start with small distances when you do, until you have a little more confidence :)

    • CommentAuthorHero!!airdoc7
    • CommentTimeAug 16th 2008
     
    airdoc7
    I'm not afraid to print out a map and put in my jersey pocket or in my seat pack.
  6.  
    katherinefaith
    Here is what I do, take it or leave it but I write the directions on a 3x5 card and put them in a ziploc bag so that the sweat from the ride doesn't make the ink run and then I do one of two things. If I kinda know the route and only need to reference the directions I put it inside my jersey so I can pull it out without even stopping or if it's a really new route that I need to look at the directions alot I take two rubberbands and "attach" the ziploc bag to my arm so that I can look down and get the directions. That way you don't have to stop and all you have to do is look at your arm, if the ride is long and there are a lot of directions you can use both sides of the card and turn it over when you get to that point. They also make these arm bands that football players use to write their plays on that you could use but I have no idea where you would get them and this seems to work, it's kinda cheap but it works. Hope that helps. Good luck and enjoy the ride.
    • CommentAuthorFree Memberdalbany992
    • CommentTimeAug 24th 2008
     
    dalbany992
    I sometimes have the same problem. I usually print the map put it in my packet. sometimes it is a pain, to reach back and pull it out. but I am  Currently looking on e-bay for cheap portable GPS to mount on my bike. This way I can map my ride and load it into the GPS. And if I do get lost I can always find my way home.       
    • CommentAuthorFree MemberDub7
    • CommentTimeAug 29th 2008 edited
     
    Dub7
    I use my iphone. It has a built in GPS, and the basic model is about the same price as most bike GPS devices I've seen advertised online. I can map out the route on the phone and check it if and when I need to. Plus, if I run into a problem I can use it to call my wife to pick me up. It's light and so far seems to be sweat proof. Keep enjoying your rides.
    • CommentAuthorFree Memberrattlerjen
    • CommentTimeAug 29th 2008
     
    rattlerjen

    Take a cable tie AKA zip tie and attach a small binder clip to your handlebars near the center stem (or wherever it wont be in the way of your hands.)  Write down or print out turn by turn directions on paper.  I usually write it down on a standard 8X11 piece on the left side only.  Fold it so you have only the directions showing or cut off the unused paper.  Then fold it again so that the first half of the instructions are showing. Put in a plastic bag and clip to binder clip on bike and adjust for reading while riding.  Read while you ride then flip it over to see the second half of the directions.

    Example Directions

    L Rock Hill Mill

    L Frogtown .1 mi

    R Rectortown  12mi

    R Atoka  2 mi

    L St. Louis 1 mi

    Bear R main St 7mi

     

    • CommentAuthorFree Membermwund
    • CommentTimeSep 2nd 2008
     
    mwund
    I print out simple directions, as in rattlerjen's exmaple. Then I use clear contact paper (the stuff that kids cover their schoolbooks with) to laminate both sides of the directions. I keep them in my jersey pocket, and refer to them every three turns or so.  I love katherinefaith's idea of using rubberbands on the arm. I think the contact paper would be easier to read through than a plastic bag though. I'm definitely going to try that next time I'm on a new route.

1 to 10 of 10

  1.