Tell me more ×
Bicycles Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for people who build and repair bicycles, people who train cycling, or commute on bicycles. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 9 down vote favorite
2

Do you attach your map to the bike or have some sort of desktop or how do you maintain your map during touring? You surely need some sort of cover but if you have how do you attach it to your bike or do you keep it in your pocket? Exploring different ways for maps, seen some pannier-attached map things but there are surely many other. Experiences?

share|improve this question
Pantry-attached?? – onestop Feb 19 '11 at 22:09
Question is polling the community. I know this is rather late, but vote to close. – Neil Fein Oct 17 '12 at 23:59

8 Answers

up vote 11 down vote accepted

Doesn't address your question with regard to maps, but I've found it easier to work from turn-by-turn cue sheets instead. I almost always ride a predetermined route, even if it's just something quickly charted up pre ride. Luxury is of course having access to google maps and being able to print out directions. I print out (or write out, sometimes you have to fall back to the basics) the text list of turns with cumulative mileage (most important!) as a cue sheet, then just clip it to my shifter cables with 3 or so binder clips. You'd think the wind would be a problem but I've done it hundreds of miles and never had an issue.

enter image description here

When you get lost, or the plan changes (it inevitably does) we'll stop and break out the map and come up with an updated plan and turn schedule.

I find this way much more enjoyable because you can relax between turns knowing when and where to look out for what's next.

share|improve this answer
What is "turn-by-turn cue sheets"? You mean some sort of notebook or something like that without any water protection (maybe no prbolme but need to understand it first)? What is shifter cables and binder clips? What do they look like? Sounds perfect backup plan or main plan, have to learn it, anyway +1 for suggesting down-to-earth solution! – user652 Feb 20 '11 at 4:23
1  
Here's an example of a fancy cue sheet, just a piece of paper with turns listed on it cvillebikeclub.org/cuesheets/Batesville_Afton.htm As for binder clips, I'm talking about this mini clips: abilityonecatalog.com/imgLg/7510002855995gp.jpg. – Sk606 Feb 20 '11 at 4:30
1  
here's a picture of the basic idea: lh6.ggpht.com/pschaida/SP9uK-P3hFI/AAAAAAAABh8/x91iFTgqLDk/s576/… – Sk606 Feb 20 '11 at 4:38
@Sk606: how can you calculate such precise cumulative mileage? That is not errorsome? How have you chosen the break points and regroups? Does regroup mean that you change the first rider or does it mean something else? – user652 Feb 20 '11 at 17:14
@hhh: Google maps (or other websites like it) can give you turn-by-turn directions with fairly exact mileage. You can type that up into a cue sheet format pretty easily. – freiheit♦ Feb 21 '11 at 3:19
show 2 more comments
up vote 2 down vote

Zip tie + Binder Clip on Stem clamping to a 1 Gallon Ziplock Plastic bag with properly folded map inside. Alternatively, if that's not secure enough, use 2 binder clips + zip ties on the handlebars.

I found a similar DIY setup using velcro wire ties via Oaklahoma bicycle Society

share|improve this answer
I can sort of imagine, but a picture would be neat. – joseph_morris Dec 13 '12 at 2:21
I'd make it a bit more narrow than the setup above, but you get the idea. The nice thing about using binder clips instead of velcro, is that you can unclip and flip without opening the bag and you don't need to make it any wider than the map and there are no holes for water to get in. – Benzo Dec 13 '12 at 2:49
up vote 3 down vote

1st option

The best solution: Have a navigator with you, who has a handlebar bag with a map sleeve:

Navig^^^^^Stoker cockpit

Navig^^^^^Stoker cockpit

2nd option

Otherwise I almost always ride with a handlebar bag, which has a transparent map sleeve on top. Both options on the same picture:

Two maps possible, in case you want to go different routes

Two maps possible, in case you want to go different routes

3rd option

On trips without handlebar bag, but with low rider panniers, I have used a clear Ortlieb map case strapped on top of one of the low rider panniers. For me it is possible to read the important details on the map even at this distance, at least on smooth roads.

4th option

I had some of my most interesting days on the road when I deliberately rode home from almost 1000 km away, through an area where I mostly had not been before, without a map or compass. Only road signs, imagination, common sense and asking people. I should really do that again...

share|improve this answer
Like my answer not that great for those on solos, but +1 for the fantastic photos and variety of options. – JamesBradbury Dec 13 '12 at 8:39
Thanks! 2, 3, and 4 work well for solos, too... – bhell Dec 13 '12 at 8:42
up vote 1 down vote

Granted this answer is not for everyone, but it is simple for tandem riders. As the helmsman/captain I wear a Camelbak with elastic webbing which holds the OS map conveniently in front of the stoker (I have a photo somewhere). I get funny looks when I walk into shops with a map on my back, though.

If the scale is large enough it can be read while pedalling, although I'm sometimes told to keep still so gradient lines can be read.

share|improve this answer
up vote 0 down vote

I use one of these from Decathlon. Not sure if they ship to the US, but it works great. http://www.decathlon.co.uk/map-holder-id_2404604.html

enter image description here

share|improve this answer
BarMap of the Gods is another similar map holder. It unfolds to display a (more or less) full page, and folds up to display a roughly 1/4 page map. – Daniel R Hicks Dec 12 '12 at 23:00
up vote 7 down vote

I have seen some handlebar bags that have a slot for maps on the top. The map pocket is usually clear plastic designed to keep the map dry. (Hopefully this isn't what you meant by "pannier-attached map things" -- I have never heard of/seen those; maybe you were thinking handlebar bags?)

There are lots of bags that have this (google "handlebar bag map pocket" if you want to check them out). Here is an example.

photo of bag with map pocket

share|improve this answer
thank you for the notice. I just thought that all of these bags were called just pannier, apparently not. – user652 Feb 20 '11 at 3:46
This is what I do with my maps and it is freaking fantastic. I'm not sure if this is the case with all bags, but on the one I have the map pocket is attached at the top and can be flipped up to see what is underneath. I usually stick some notes or turn-by-turn directions in there that I think I'll want to access every so often. – jimirings Oct 18 '12 at 19:30
up vote 5 down vote

I usually make my map before and upload it on my garmin, i have the same map on my phone via google map in case i need more details (which I keep in my backpocket).

If i don't want to go to a certain location but just want to ride, I let my garmin goes and use the "return home" feature when it start to get late.

share|improve this answer
up vote 4 down vote

It's usually in my pocket. My long distance riding is often in remote areas, so I find that I usually don't need a map right in front of me since route changes are frequently miles (kilometers) apart. If in a tricky route area perhaps something like this. A map cover could probably be homemade pretty easily if one was so inclined.

share|improve this answer

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.