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Almost-Satnav For Cycling
An anonymous reader writes "A couple of guys (us) in Cambridge have written a cycle routing system, CycleStreets.net, based on open data, and have now released it as a free iPhone app. It's been done on a shoestring, in spare time. There's an API and some disruptive tech in the form of a photo submission screen where street problems can be submitted directly. Because it's open data, you don't have to wait 6 months for the routing to be fixed if there's a bug. Android and .mobi versions are in the works, with the apps being done on GitHub."
So if you want to help improve the application, and contribute to plenty of other worthy projects, you could think about checking out The Map in your area and seeing if there's anything you could contribute.
With a suitable Garmin GPS (there are a number of models that do auto-routing that have bicycle mounts), you can load up an OSM based cycle map and get cycle routing that way. See http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/OSM_Map_On_Garmin/Cycle_map
If you already own one of these, you'll probably find it is somewhat more water resistant than an iPhone.
yes, it is called mytrack, and it is opensource
Check out RideTrac for Android. Works great for me.
I don't care about your karma, I don't care about what's hip. --Weird Al
I think much of it has to do with lessening chaffing, wearing a material that will let your sweat evaporate vs just absorb it, not as a fashion statement to try to catch the eyes of condescending people like you and your wife. Those who ride longer distances/more strenuous routes seem to think it is worth wearing even when having to put up with ribbing/heckling from people like you, so apparently the benefits are noticeable enough to make it worth their while to pay the extra expense of cycling gear (a T-shirt and shorts are quite a bit less expensive) along with wearing it out on a ride on public roads/paths.
Because motorcyclists and (push)cyclists don't generally prefer the same types of roads? In the extreme cases, there are highways where pushbikes are legally forbidden, and cycle paths where motorbikes are legally forbidden.
Anyway, I find Google Maps does well enough for routing (it has a cycling-specific mode), and use a plain mapping program (no turn-by-turn, recalculating, etc.) to save battery life.
Well, if I had read on instead of posting in an early thread, I would have known that a) these guys are using OSM data (a fact sorely missing from the summary) and b) you actually CAN use OSM data with Garmin satnavs.
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Speaking of google, you do realize that Google Maps already has routing options based on whether you're walking, biking, or taking public transit? I'm not sure how good their maps are or their coverage areas though. They probably don't have an iPhone app either.
Even in the Netherlands we do not have a satnav app for cyclists on the iPhone. Route for cyclists can be done by the excellent 'fietsrouteplanner' planner from the Fietsersbond (http://www.fietsersbond.nl/fietsrouteplanner/fietsroutes-vandeurtotdeurplanner/index.html). This great planner has lots of options and biker profiles (like shortest route, avoid busy traffic, green route, social safe route, racing cyclist, etc.) but once you are cycling it is quite useless. The route is static, has no rerouting when you choose an other route due to roadworks or just because you felt so.
I immediately tried out this app but was a bit disappointed. I cannot plan a route from Harwich to Exeter, a route I have cycled multiple times to visit family in England.
Nyh
There's a normal HTML version at http://www.cyclestreets.net/ , and an Android version is in progress.