M.S. - new to cycling Posted January 3, 2023 Posted January 3, 2023 Google Maps navigation caters for everything except cycling. I suppose you could use the walking routes but time estimates etc. What's a good easy to use navigator for beginners? Additionally can I get any cheap Bluetooth watch for my rides and what other technical gear should I think of?
M.S. - new to cycling Posted January 3, 2023 Author Posted January 3, 2023 New cyclist. Mainly in jhb. I'm sure there's been discussions on navigator apps please link me to them. Google Maps navigation caters for everything except cycling. I suppose you could use the walking routes but time estimates etc. What's a good easy to use navigator for beginners? Additionally can I get any cheap Bluetooth watch for my rides and what other technical gear should I think of? Particularly for navigation/commuting on roads etc.
Nico van Loggerenberg Posted January 3, 2023 Posted January 3, 2023 Strava can show you commonly routes in your area - I'm not sure whether this is a premium only feature, but it is what I used to discover new places to cycle. Most watches will do what you need. I'm a fan of the Garmin Forerunner 45 as a cheapish used buy for beginners.
RobertWhitehead Posted January 3, 2023 Posted January 3, 2023 47 minutes ago, M.S. - new to cycling said: Google Maps navigation caters for everything except cycling. I suppose you could use the walking routes but time estimates etc. What's a good easy to use navigator for beginners? Additionally can I get any cheap Bluetooth watch for my rides and what other technical gear should I think of? Use Strava, at R539 p/a it works out to be R45p/m and students pay lie half that or something. You can also use Strava on your phone for now and skip the other bluetooth device 🤪
The Ouzo Posted January 3, 2023 Posted January 3, 2023 Komoot is free and pretty easy to use. If your head unit allows it you can download the route to it
Steady Spin Posted January 3, 2023 Posted January 3, 2023 Trailforks is pretty good. Not always the most up to date.
Mamil Posted January 3, 2023 Posted January 3, 2023 46 minutes ago, Nico van Loggerenberg said: Strava can show you commonly routes in your area - I'm not sure whether this is a premium only feature, but it is what I used to discover new places to cycle. Most watches will do what you need. I'm a fan of the Garmin Forerunner 45 as a cheapish used buy for beginners. There is enough technical gear around cycling to load a person's credit card to breaking point. If you are going to use navigation features a lot then a good head unit, wahoo and Garmin are the main players and some folks swear by Karoo. All offer turn by turn navigation and in conjunction with Strava and komoot apps and websites are a great way to discover new routes. The phone will work for this purpose but it is cumbersome. Picture yourself in blazing sun, hot and sweaty with suntan cream and grit on your hands trying to.operate your phone .... That having been said it's a good way to start. Enjoy
Paul Ruinaard Posted January 3, 2023 Posted January 3, 2023 Strava is a good place to start using heatmaps etc for trail discovery, but it honestly depends what you are trying to do - navigation or trail discovery? Any form of GPS watch or head unit can give you turn by turn guidance . Apps like Trail Forks etc have lots of detailed trails on them. Strava is also good for the local heatmaps etc to see where people ride. Are you trying to find new trails or get an app thta has turn by turn guidance to a destination? You can run Strava for example on your phone (assuming its a smart phone). Can you be more specific as to what you are trying to do?
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