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I plan with Strava using it's popularity heat map (I road 9000 miles in 2019). I then cycle using my Garmin 520 bike computer, which is painful to use for direc

by 762236 6y ago

I plan with Strava using it's popularity heat map (I road 9000 miles in 2019). I then cycle using my Garmin 520 bike computer, which is painful to use for directions, but up to the abuse particularly on single track, and I try to use memory based on previewing with street view and satellite photos while planning. I often have to backtrack, typically uphill. But most of the time I'm repeating rides, at which point I'm going off memory.

falkd 6y ago
For those who aren't strong and fearless cyclists, Strava can be helpful, but be careful and double-check those routes. I've seen some pretty dangerous segments that I have been very scared on, and they show up red-hot on Strava. Why? Probably because some die-hards go that way a lot, or go that way in a group. And those are probably the types of people that use Strava more than the casual commuter. In my city there's a 5 lane bridge, shoulder just wide enough for drains, and nothing but a 3-ft concrete barrier 60 or 70 feet above the river. The speed limit is 45, but people drive like that's a mild suggestion. This is a very hot cycle route on Strava for some reason, but I think it's frightening.
- diiaann 6y ago
  Yeah and a lot of bike rides start really early, most roads are less crazy at say 6,7am on a weekend.
- conradev 6y ago
  Strava also does not distinguish road biking from gravel or mountain biking, so you'll also want to check that there is a road in the first place! Been bitten by that at least twice
- 762236 6y ago
  Totally. I just had a route that was intense blue in the heat map on the start of the road, and then faded to low-intensity as the road progressed. It turned out that the road switched from pavement to something that was a cross between double and single track, while crossing a mountain. Many cyclists turn back, but quite a few continue. I'd like to see how many go in the reverse direction too.

by 762236 6y ago

falkd 6y ago

For those who aren't strong and fearless cyclists, Strava can be helpful, but be careful and double-check those routes. I've seen some pretty dangerous segments that I have been very scared on, and they show up red-hot on Strava. Why? Probably because some die-hards go that way a lot, or go that way in a group. And those are probably the types of people that use Strava more than the casual commuter. In my city there's a 5 lane bridge, shoulder just wide enough for drains, and nothing but a 3-ft concrete barrier 60 or 70 feet above the river. The speed limit is 45, but people drive like that's a mild suggestion. This is a very hot cycle route on Strava for some reason, but I think it's frightening.

diiaann 6y ago
Yeah and a lot of bike rides start really early, most roads are less crazy at say 6,7am on a weekend.
conradev 6y ago
Strava also does not distinguish road biking from gravel or mountain biking, so you'll also want to check that there is a road in the first place! Been bitten by that at least twice
762236 6y ago
Totally. I just had a route that was intense blue in the heat map on the start of the road, and then faded to low-intensity as the road progressed. It turned out that the road switched from pavement to something that was a cross between double and single track, while crossing a mountain. Many cyclists turn back, but quite a few continue. I'd like to see how many go in the reverse direction too.