Finding your way around on new routes and getting adventurous

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FOD

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Joined
13 September 2011
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15
Location
Forest of Dean
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Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to get your thoughts etc on how you all find your way around on new ride routes, and get adventurous or do you all just stick to what you know.

We started with an OS map with the route marked on it we wanted to take on forestry tracts etc but found this difficult and all to easy to get lost, I'm just not a good map reader that’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it!

So being a IT bod and a bloke so into gadgets i started to research what possibilities/tools/boys-toys there are out there that could be fit for helping us, not get lost anymore and to be more adventurous in our riding routes.

After a great deal of time looking around reading all the tech stuff watching a heap of user videos/reviews etc I found the Satmap Active 10 GPS which uses OS maps (www.satmap.co.uk) . So far I am really impressed with the unit, you can map out your route to follow BW's, Forestry tracts, roads basically what ever is on the map you can route or just use it to track where you are and have been so you can find your way home.

I just wanted to know what everyone else does or uses and let you all know about this great little unit and no I don’t work for them, but so far I am a very very happy customer

Cheers
FOD
 
For those who have an mobile phone using android have a look at View Ranger software. Software is free and you just buy the map portions (OS maps) you need so not expensive. Shows all bridleways etc and tracks your route.
very accurate :D
 
How can you get lost in the Forest of Dean? There are roads everywhere :D

I do a lot of riding is West Somerset, on bridleways that it appears no one has used in the last few years. I like a map and compass and good old fashioned memory (I can't remember the name of a person I just met, but I can remember a route I haven't ridden for years:confused:)

I have to a say a GPS would be handy sometimes, as getting a map out of a case or back pack can be a PIA, as my lad always manages to spot something tasty 30 yards in the wrong direction :D
 
Maps and compass, word of mouth and trial and error!!!! ... have tried using iphone google maps but most of the places I ride (north york moors) have no/unreliable mobile signal anyway!!!! Not much use having a map on your iphone if it has no signal... I thought about downloading one of those GPS route finders, but Will GPS applications still work without a signal???

I have a good sense of direction though, I tend to use reference points and ride from memory. You can get waterproof map holders that hang on your D-rings.
If we do come across any blocked routes we are straight on the phone to the National Parks when we get home as well!!!!
 
tazzle said:
lot of money ;)

must admit I too stick with OS map ........

however if that unit could tell me in advance if 3/4 along several miles of bridleway I would find it blocked :mad: :mad: :mad: .... I would maybe consider it ;)
Click to expand...

Yep that would be great :D, I might mark the blockages on my routes and share them via the satmap route share site.
 
NeilM said:
How can you get lost in the Forest of Dean? There are roads everywhere :D

I do a lot of riding is West Somerset, on bridleways that it appears no one has used in the last few years. I like a map and compass and good old fashioned memory (I can't remember the name of a person I just met, but I can remember a route I haven't ridden for years:confused:)

I have to a say a GPS would be handy sometimes, as getting a map out of a case or back pack can be a PIA, as my lad always manages to spot something tasty 30 yards in the wrong direction :D
Click to expand...

roads dont do you any good when your in the forest on track :eek: :D if we only stuck to roads then it would be less of a problem but no point riding past all the great woodland looking at wishing we were in there riding got to jump in and enjoy and i have found the gps unit a great tool for just that. :)
 
FOD said:
roads dont do you any good when your in the forest on track :eek: :D if we only stuck to roads then it would be less of a problem but no point riding past all the great woodland looking at wishing we were in there riding got to jump in and enjoy and i have found the gps unit a great tool for just that. :)
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I used to spend a LOT of time in the FOD, in the forest. Practically every track ends up at a road, and the whole area is criss crossed with firebreak / forestry tracks...actually, come to think of it, it must be an amazing place to ride. I was usually there on foot, and often at night...if you get my drift (no, I'm not a poacher).

I have to admit that there are a lot of places in the FOD where an OS map will do you little good, until you get to a road or structure that you can reference. But if I were going to get lost somewhere, then the FOD is one of the safest places to do it, unlike Exmoor, Dartmoor, the Brecon Beacons, the Yorkshire Dales, or (my personal favourite) the Scottish Highlands :eek:

I have to agree with another poster, that's a nice GPS, but it's mighty expensive, especially if a horse steps on it :eek:
 
OP: I've been looking at the Garmin Nuvi 550 for the same type of use. I'm keeping an eye out on eBay for a second hand one ATM. :)
 
It is one of those what are you good at, what do you have the time and motivation to learn/deal with when it comes to good old map and compass.

One of the great things about the gps for me is straight off I know where we are and what the options are for our ride with no hassle or worry. One thing with riding in the forest, trees tend to be a pain and like to fall down and block the way or the forestry commission decide to try and stop the Moto-bikers by sticking pedestrian block points which are a real pain as they stop us dead too but that’s for another post but all reasons why I think to have a GPS is great.

Yes the one I have is by no means the cheapest and no I'm not one who has loads of cash to through about but I do like to get the best I can for what I have and this one for me bits the bill for all that it can do and offer, it can deal with the weather so no fear a bit of rain will end its life, they upgrade the software with no charge, you can route plan, go off track and back again etc, you can have it on a neck strap, belt strap, in a protective case, you can attach the strap to your saddle.

But that’s just some of the reasons I opted for this model and it is with some things not all but some, you get what you pay for.

Its great everyone chipping in and giving your thoughts, thanks and keep it up. :)
 
I get lost doing the 40 minute road hack which is a circle around the farm! Ended up adding a extra 6 miles on to my hack last week!

I'm away to google this contraption, saves OH having to give me directs on how to get home over the phone!
 
Hi FOD, I also have a Satmap Active 10 and love it. I bought it before I owned a horse which probably explains how I could afford one :D couldn't buy one now.

Yes it is a great gadget and I wouldn't be without mine :)
 
HollyB66 said:
Hi FOD, I also have a Satmap Active 10 and love it. I bought it before I owned a horse which probably explains how I could afford one :D couldn't buy one now.

Yes it is a great gadget and I wouldn't be without mine :)
Click to expand...

Hi HollyB66,

:D that they are, now we have ours I would not wont to be without it, just takes all the stress out of riding tracks, roads you dont know. Do you use the online route planner and route share?

Cheers
FOD
 
Mum knows all the lanes round here, so if i go somewhere new i go with her!!
although if we go somewhere different where neither of us know where we're going, we just remember which way we came, and go back the same way, and slowly explore more each time until we know our way.
Another way is to guess!!!
 
I did a few long distance rides (20 mile set speed) and for training rides I'd use OS 1:50 and compass, as this was a few years ago, then just knowing enough of the area to have a vague idea where I am, later I got a handheld Garmin GPS, but now I just use the GPS on my mobile phone

If that fails, I've found that my horse has a pretty accurate inbuilt navigation system. A few weeks ago I came to a turning, while I was waiting for the screen to load, he made a decision and went left, yep, he knew the way
 
Stacey6897 said:
If that fails, I've found that my horse has a pretty accurate inbuilt navigation system. A few weeks ago I came to a turning, while I was waiting for the screen to load, he made a decision and went left, yep, he knew the way
Click to expand...

I must admit my horse is brilliant at learning her way round. A couple of times she has 'told' me I've got it wrong and 'insisted' we go her way - both times she was spot on!
 
I've got the 1:25,000 maps for Kent and Surrey - brilliant, it's like having the OS maps with you and great for planning your route before you go.

They occasionally come up on Ebay so you can get them worth the money :)
 
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