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I've just started to explore RideWithGPS with a Starter (free) profile and I'll only want to use it, at least initially, as a simple route planner.
There are options to use a range of mapping (RWGPS, Google, OSM etc.) each with its own routing algorithm. I've noticed that when you switch between maps the routing that was first applied remains intact, which makes sense, but I was expecting an option somewhere to apply routing manually without having to delete & re-enter the route, does such an option exist?
Secondly, RideWithGPS seems to prefer its own mapping/routing and advises that using other maps would allow you to use its own routing options (although I can only find surface type - possibly more with paid options).
I tried a simple route from my home village to Cheddar as a test. All the non-RWGPS options presented the route I would have naturally ridden, straight across The Levels to Cheddar. However the RWGPS option chose to route me along a traffic heavy route through Wells, up onto the Mendips and into Cheddar down through the Gorge. It's a much heavier traffic route, roughly 7 miles longer & with significantly more ascent; seems and odd first choice for a cycle ride. Is the RWGPS routing reliable or am I better sticking with Google/OSM?
As above it's a free account some I'm not expecting bells & whistles, paid options may offer more routing options (avoidance etc.)
Trying the blatantly obvious first, you have cycling set up as your transport mode?
I did a quick test selecting work as the destination and the RWGPS cycling map chose a reasonably sensible route using as much cycle path as is possible. (Not the way I would normally choose as it utilises shared paths on the wrong side of the road needing the use of crossings and some segregated bits that are inaccessible after the parks close but close enough).
Yes, cycling is set up as the mode of transport and it was just a single test route, so hardly definitive. It's Street, Somerset to Cheddar if anyone wants to have a lot at the difference. It still gets you to where you want to go.
Any idea's if I can manually ask a map to re-run its routing?
I was expecting an option somewhere to apply routing manually without having to delete & re-enter the route, does such an option exist?
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I use it a lot, just wish it had access to OS maps so I could tell footpaths from bridleways. But yes, you can allow it to generate a route and then manually change it. Just click on a waypoint, or even between a waypoint, then drag to the road/path etc that you wanted it to route you along. This certainly works on a laptop and is easy with a mouse, not sure about Android/IOS.
And even with a free profile, you can pin routes and they will automatically appear in "Courses" on a connected Garmin device which I find pretty handy. I also like the fact that is it is linked to Garmin, you can see multiple rides that you have done on a single map, something that I wish Garmin or Strava could do.
Just for the interested, my test route with both Google Maps & RWGPS.
There are options to use a range of mapping (RWGPS, Google, OSM etc.) each with its own routing algorithm.
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Can you clarify this statement?
I use RwGPS occasionally (free user only) but, as far as I was aware (and expecting), the different map types are just a presentation. I don't think/wasn't aware there are different algorithms associated with each type...or am I misunderstanding you?
As far as I'm aware,the routing algorithm is based on surface type (or proxy road/gravel/mountain bike) not presentation later...
When you switch between the RWGPS & Google maps you appear to switch between routing algorithms, & as a new user I assumed that it was the same for all the maps. However, having had another look it appears that it's only Google that supplies its own routing (the others presumably use RWGPS).Â
However when you switch between RWGPS & Google with a route on screen , the route retains its original routing. I was just wondering if you could click something to apply the new map's routing.
It's the disparity between the two maps' routing that intrigued me; Google's seems rather more sensible for a cycle ride.
https://1drv.ms/i/c/6adcda47576a022a/IQQZ_Lf61ssuQq3W6S-XBVAPAVbhWgThy3fGUT0ouN6OfQo
Every day is a school day... I've been using RWGPS since it started (back when it was total dogshit) and didn't realise the Google Maps routing differs from everything else. 🙄
As for auto routing, I recently got it to auto plan a route from Cambs to Pembroke in Google Maps as a boik route type and concluded it was 'sensible' as the first days plan was almost exactly how I would manually plan that route. The other two days were similarly sensible when ridden but I obviously didn't have the back to back comparison to confirm it.
I do treat it a bit like Garmin auto routing - with suspicion, and carefully check anything it's planned. The point up there is well made though, it's not easy to identify path/footpath/cycle track from road though there has recently been a move to identify off road and on road surface types. If I need to check, I export as a GPX then stick it in Memory Map for review.Â
Ah, ok. I wasn't aware of that but then again, I never plan a route using the Google option (although I do use the Google Satellite and Street View options to check whether a road has a decent shoulder for riding)