For the budget concious, how do you know where you're going?

[shrimants]

As much as i'd love to get a ram mount or a gps device for my bike, funds are stretched pretty thin.

how do you guys know where you're going on a bike? back before i had gps or a smartphone, i'd have printed off google driving directions and watched my odo for when the turn was coming up. but that was with the papers available for quick access. no idea how i'd do it on a bike.

maybe a small notepad in my jacket pocket?

how do you guys do it? my sense of direction is woefully poor, i constantly get lost within 10 miles of my own apartment despite having lived here for a few months now.

 

[BillSmith]

lazy me...

I have done the following:

Pre-printed directions in BOLD PRINT taped with blue painter's tape to gas tank. More detailed instructions in outside jacket pocket.

Old cell phone with pre-loaded google map directions will use GPS to follow along despite not being active with a carrier. Good for directions, won't give you traffic updates, but good if you don't deviate far off course. Set course via wireless internet at home, good to go for trip and you could update at McDonald's, Starbucks, etc. if you wanted to make major diversions or changes.

Stop and ask. I know, I know. Only rarely, so man card not revocable.

Considering:

Just installed a windshield. Dry erase pen could list directions. Do this in my cars. (Write GAS when I notice fuel gauge is dry when I am about to park.)

Bluetooth for helmet and phone in pocket would work wonders.

 

[Manimal]

Using painters tape, I tape a simplified route to my tank, and keep a print out version in my backpack as a back up. Of coarse, I study the route and may add addition notes to the simplified version if needed.

Simplified version:
LT ...... st
RT .... Dr.
And so on

 

[shrimants]

ah, masking tape to the rescue. dont know why i didnt think of that.

Edit: just checked, i have scotch blue painters tape.

 

[Manimal]

ah, masking tape to the rescue. dont know why i didnt think of that.

I highly recommend painters tape, if you have it. Masking tape, duct tape or alike often leaves behind residue, but can be removed with some effort.

 

[shrimants]

oh, i thought they were the same thing? i'll double check what i already have. ive gotta head out to grab some lightbulbs today anyways so i can pick it up.

 

[jimboFosho]

I have a general idea of where I am going. When I get thoroughly lost, I pull out one of these cool things they call maps and figure the rest out from there. If you really want to get fancy, I have been known to tape directions to the tank and/or gauges. Getting lost can make for some more interesting trips though.

 

[jdan007]

Tank bag and a paper map, pretty straightforward

 

[GetOuttaMyWay]

A tank bag with a clear map pocket works great:

- If its a planned route ill put a print out of my directions in there.
- Sometimes I'll stick my android phone in there with Google maps instead. But its a little hard to see in sunlight.
- Turn on voice navigation on your phone and wear ear buds. Just do what the nice lady say.

Either way its best to study the route in advance and use a map or navigation as a reminder.

 

[Map8]

Tank bag and a paper map, pretty straightforward

This worked for years and continues to work. For anything really hard to find, I printed directions off Pashnit.com.

 

[rodr]

I use a tank bag with a map window, and printed google directions in there instead of a map. The problem with taping directions onto your tank is when you have multiple pages of directions.

When planning it helps to use google street view to look at every turn. What you see may surprise you and save a lot of confusion. Make notes on your printed directions as you do this.

A compass, or compass app in a smartphone, can also be a lifesaver when you are really turned around.

 

[KooLaid]

Memory. Even new routes I just refer it to memory. I just review google maps afew, maybe do some street view and remember some landmarks. Also remember some "if you've gone too far, you'll get to a stop sign" type thing. Then if I get confused or nervous, I yank out the phone but it only happens at most once during a trip. I've got pretty good photographic memory.

 

[KooLaid]

Getting lost is part of the fun and adventure for me

 

[Rob]

I put simplified map directions with mileage into a clear cover and rubber band it around an old paper towel roll. Then, I stick a straightened clothes hanger through the roll and hook it to my bars.

You can store multiple maps in the clear cover to "save" your rides.

 

[Hammerstime]

Getting lost is part of the fun and adventure for me

Ding! Ding! Ding! We have a winner. It's pretty hard to get lost on pavement, if you know the general direction your traveling. My father loved to try and get lost. I got in trouble one day when I told him I could get maps on my phone if we needed. He said the same line as Koolaid and asked if I needed my blanket. :afm199

I used Thomas Guide Maps. Had a book with all of Cali. in it. I would print out pages, hi light roads and towns I wanted to hit along the way. Just pull them out when you stop.

 

[flying_hun]

Tank bag and a paper map, pretty straightforward

This.

 

[Map8]

I might recommend the Benchmark Atlas. Way better than Delorme or Thomas Guide or anything else.

 

[EjGlows]

Painters tape and handwritten directions. :dunno

Has technology handcuffed us to this degree?

 

[deathbug74]

if i have a specific route in mind, i'll print google maps directions along with the map, and stick them under the magnets on my tank bag; if need be, stop, flip pages, and re-magnet.

have at times used a cheap tom-tom stuck to the inside of the windscreen (when i was out of town). also generally have a paper map of the area in question, and a smartphone to turn to if i really NEED to, though that takes the fun out of exploring.

 

[Gixxergirl1000]

I hate getting lost. I'll tape simplified directions to my tank, or I'll use my tank bag with the clear plastic window.
Pretty easy. If you're going to write it out, though, use a black Sharpie!