Why the plan matters more than the device
A GPS can show where you are and which way to go, but it only follows the route you give it. A good ride begins with a good route: roads and paths that suit your bike, your confidence and the time you have. The device then makes it easy to follow.
This article is about the process of planning, loading and following a route, not about how a particular unit works. The article on GPS bike computers covers the hardware, and the one on handlebar GPS covers mounting.
Planning the route
Use a mapping tool or app that offers cycling routes, and then check the result with your own judgement.
- Start and finish. Decide whether you want a loop, an out-and-back or a one-way ride with a lift home.
- Distance and time. Think about how long you can ride comfortably, with a margin for stops, hills and tiredness. If you are unsure, plan shorter than you think you need.
- Road type. Look for quiet roads, bike lanes or paths where you can. The article on route planning covers choosing safer roads, and the one on painted bike lanes explains what to expect on them.
- Hills. Many tools show an elevation profile. A short, steep climb late in the ride is a good thing to know about in advance.
- Surface. Check whether the route includes gravel, cobbles or unpaved sections that may not suit your tyres.
Route planners are not perfect. They may include roads that are closed, unsuitable or busy, or paths that are not open to bikes. Look at the route yourself, and compare it with what you know of the area. Satellite and street views can help you spot problem spots.
Checking before you leave
Spend a few minutes on a pre-ride review.
- Scroll through the entire route on a larger screen, not just the overview.
- Look at junctions, roundabouts and crossings you will pass, and think about how you will handle them.
- Note rest points, shops or places to refill water.
- Check the weather, sunset time and any known roadworks.
- Decide where you can shorten the ride if you are tired or the weather changes.
Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return.
Loading the route
Methods differ by device, but the steps are broadly the same: save the route in your planning tool, send or sync it to your unit or phone, and open it on the device to confirm it appears.
Before you ride:
- Start the route on the device while still at home, and check it shows the correct start and direction.
- Confirm turn prompts are enabled if you want them.
- Charge the device and carry a power bank on longer rides.
- If you use a phone, download offline maps so the route still works without data.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for syncing, and do not leave this until you are at the roadside.
Following the route
On the ride, think of the GPS as an assistant.
- Use prompts as a heads-up. A beep or arrow means a turn is coming; check traffic, signal and position yourself as usual. Hand signals are covered in the article on cycling hand signals.
- Stop to check when unsure. If the screen and the road do not seem to match, find a safe spot, pull in and look.
- Do not follow blindly. If the route leads onto a road that looks unsafe, closed or beyond your comfort, choose an alternative and let the device re-route when you are stopped.
- Keep glances short. Anything longer than a quick look belongs at a stop. Never adjust the route while riding.
- Watch for off-route alerts. If your device warns you are off course, take the next safe opportunity to check why.
Backup plans
Technology fails, so plan for it.
Signal loss. GPS can be less accurate between tall buildings, in tunnels or under dense trees. A track that wanders for a short stretch is usually not a cause for alarm, but if the device loses you completely, stop and check.
Battery loss. Cold weather, bright screens and extra sensors drain batteries faster. Carry a charged power bank and cable, and reduce brightness if you are worried.
Device failure or damage. Rain, a drop or a bad mount can end a ride. Have another way to find your way home: a saved phone map, a printed route or a note of key roads and landmarks.
Emergencies. Carry a phone with enough battery, know your location well enough to describe it, and keep basic repair items with you. The article on roadside repairs covers the essentials.
Reviewing afterwards
Look at the recorded track when you get home. Note where the route worked well and where you would change it. Over time you build up a set of routes you trust, which is the real skill: you plan more confidently, and the GPS is a quiet helper rather than a crutch.