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While Google do now have many cycle routes marked, I still prefer CycleStreets (which uses the same data as OpenCycleMap, i.e. OpenStreetMap). That gives a choice of three routes (fast, balanced, quiet), and has more cycling-related data on the map. Sometimes the routes can be a bit wiggly, but I think they're working on this.

However, it's great to see the cycle routes on Google, which will make them visible to lots of people -- hopefully those that don't realise their trip to the shops or work is faster by bicycle.

Both have problems OpenCycleMap gives me a track which is through deep mud on the way to work, but then correctly gives me a cycle track at the end. Google maps keeps me on less muddy routes but sends me down a dangerous dual carriageway when there is a cycle track as an alternative.

While Google do now have many cycle routes marked, I still prefer CycleStreets (which uses the same data as OpenCycleMap, i.e. OpenStreetMap). That gives a choice of three routes (fast, balanced, quiet), and has more cycling-related data on the map. Sometimes the routes can be a bit wiggly, but I think they're working on this.

However, it's great to see the cycle routes on Google, which will make them visible to lots of people -- hopefully those that don't realise their trip to the shops or work is faster by bicycle.

I cannot plan a route from Harwich to Exeter, a route I have cycled multiple times to visit family in England.

At the moment I think it's aimed at typical commuting distances. 360 km is a very long ride! (How long does that take?!)

I don't have an iPhone, so I can't try the iPhone version out. Here is an example urban journey (between the two stations in London you'd need to use if you took the train from Harwich to Exeter).

There's a normal HTML version at http://www.cyclestreets.net/ , and an Android version is in progress.

A free (OSM-based) navigation software example is CycleStreets, which uses OSM's data to provide cycle routes.

Random example journey, showing the three options (fast, balanced, quiet), route profile (hills), turn-by-turn navigation, etc.

I think there's an Android app, but I haven't used it yet.

A free (OSM-based) navigation software example is CycleStreets, which uses OSM's data to provide cycle routes.

Random example journey, showing the three options (fast, balanced, quiet), route profile (hills), turn-by-turn navigation, etc.

I think there's an Android app, but I haven't used it yet.

Google Maps, for example, doesn't tell me where all of the pubs in my area are.

OpenStreetMap was started by a British guy, so it's not really a surprise ;-).

CycleStreets (example route) uses OSM data and has extra from-the-bike images, but I'm not sure where they come from. It's also an example of the extra OSM information: on OSM, the roads are tagged by what's allowed to use them, which means it can suggest e.g. walking a bike over a pedestrian bridge if it saves a 5-minute detour (or avoids busy roads, if you ask for that).