Mapping apps?

[Condi]

Does anyone use a motorbike specific mapping app like Calimoto or Kurviger? Are they any good, and are they separate apps or do they integrate into Waze/ Google maps, just adding waypoints on the route? Waze and Maps are fine in the car, but a bit boring on the bike.

[STe_rsv4]

Used Calimoto while touring Germany. Brilliant for finding good B Roads and routes that you would never think of taking using Google maps etc.
You can track routes and save them etc. think I paid around £40 for a years subscription

[WindyCommon]

Timely question!

I have just signed up for the “Scenic” app (2 week trial). I’m off out in the sun to test it with a ride to the coast this afternoon. Will report back….

[Linksmas]

And, do these apps work with CarPlay?

I downloaded Beeline, but they don't have carplay functionality because they want you to buy their own unit.

[the cueball]

I tried Calimoto and it kept taking me off good roads to turn right, turn left, turn left, turn right... AKA a loop of nothing.

Then sent me into a farm as it was "more fun"

Sure it's down to user error, but I just didn't have the focus to mess around with it to get what I wanted.

[rev-erend]

Mates in my bike club who organise routes swear by myroute app. Develop map on PC the export file to a satnav or other device. There is a free version but its limited functionality

[black-k1]

rev-erend said:

Mates in my bike club who organise routes swear by myroute app. Develop map on PC the export file to a satnav or other device. There is a free version but its limited functionality

This! We use MyRouteApp for all the Old Gits trips.

[Nothingtoseehere]

the cueball said:

I tried Calimoto and it kept taking me off good roads to turn right, turn left, turn left, turn right... AKA a loop of nothing.

Then sent me into a farm as it was "more fun"

Sure it's down to user error, but I just didn't have the focus to mess around with it to get what I wanted.

Same. Used the free trial and wasn't impressed.

[Nothingtoseehere]

black-k1 said:

rev-erend said:

Mates in my bike club who organise routes swear by myroute app. Develop map on PC the export file to a satnav or other device. There is a free version but its limited functionality

This! We use MyRouteApp for all the Old Gits trips.

Cool! I bought a life sub in the sale (incl. nav). I've used it to plan routes and put on my Zumo, but can also use the phone app.

[Alex9]

Nothingtoseehere said:

the cueball said:

I tried Calimoto and it kept taking me off good roads to turn right, turn left, turn left, turn right... AKA a loop of nothing.

Then sent me into a farm as it was "more fun"

Sure it's down to user error, but I just didn't have the focus to mess around with it to get what I wanted.

Same. Used the free trial and wasn't impressed.

I find Calimoto is very good so long as the roads around you also are good. If you ask it to find a twisty route from A to B, it will take you down tiny roads with massive hedges as they are twistier than the flowing A-road that is the only other option... Unfortunately it means that in more populated areas you really need to keep an eye on the route it proposes.

[black-k1]

Has anyone else had the same problem with their Sat. Nav.? I have asked my Tomtom (Rider 450 then Rider 550) to plot a "winding" route where it doesn't have a specific planned route, and it will simply follow the path of a main road but crisscross it to ride on the smaller roads either side of it. Often these smaller roads go through villages and are nothing more than single tracks. In summary, the "winding" elements of the route are just the multiple right/left junctions and not at all "fun" to ride.

[s p a c e m a n]

Weird I know, but if I set Google maps to walk it normally takes the fun route that I would normally ride to places. If you set it to cycle though it goes off down cycle paths through fields and stuff.

[Linksmas]

That is fking genius, I've just had a look and even setting to Cycle gives good routes and automatically avoids A roads

[Marquezs Stabilisers]

I've had some success with Kurviger - but if you set it to super curvy you'd better own an adventure bike and like back roads.

[WindyCommon]

WindyCommon said:

Timely question!

I have just signed up for the Scenic app (2 week trial). I’m off out in the sun to test it with a ride to the coast this afternoon. Will report back .

Scenic is designed to work with CarPlay.

I tried it this afternoon. Easy-ish to get up and running. I made the “Curvy Roads” mistake someone mentioned above. Not good - farm tracks, one-track roads with mud up the middle. Left, right, left, right etc. I won’t try that again.

But for “normal” navigation it worked pretty seamlessly, with well judged instructions and good integration with ‘phone and music apps. Pace judgement / journey-time estimation was spot on. Map is easy to follow on screen. I am cautiously optimistic, but need to get to the bottom of the various route settings. There is an “avoid highways” option, but also a slider that moves from something (fast/normal?) to “adventurous”. I’m sure I’ll find the combination that avoids motorways etc but doesn’t require a CR250…