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Cycling with a GPS

Cycling with a GPS

Since I started this page back in 2005 GPS has really taken off. Open Street Map (OSM) has reduced the cost dramatically and improvements in hardware have helped too.

The advantages of a GPS unit over paper maps are numerous - no need to keep stopping to unforld the map at each turn (no more getting lost because you can't be bothered to do this), directions for pre-planned routes, route to specific locations, ETA at destination (great if your destination is a train station!) etc.

I now have autorouting OS stye maps which route me down cyclepaths (but not footpaths/bridleways).

Hardware

I used to have a Garmin E-trex Cx which was excellent for me.  I started with the "legend" model, but the colour screen, SD card slot and autorouting are huge benefits to the Cx - in fact I got the Cx when I sent my legend back to Garmin for repair on their excellent flat fee repair service - they exchanged it for the Cx, but I lost it when if jolted off going down a steep hill, so I replaced it with an Edge 605, which, after some heartache, I have at last worked out make work in a suitable manner for touring cyclists (forgetting courses, and loading pre-planned routes that follow the plan and don't insist on you starting from the exact spot and give ETA at destination).

I would have some hesitation in giving this an unqualified recommendation as its lack of POI  data is somewhat limiting, and much functionality seems to be aimed at repeat routes for training, rather than following one-off touring routes.