AI 速览
- Komoot and RideWithGPS are the two serious route planners; Strava is for discovering segments, not building routes.
- Always layer a surface heatmap over your planned line — gravel disappears on default map views.
- Two independent navigation devices beats one: phone for backup, GPS head unit for primary.
- Bail-out options written into your route turn a mechanical into a story, not an epic.
/ 01
Pick the Right Tool
Route planning software is the difference between a route that flows and one that puts you on a busy highway because you trusted a default line. Each platform has a strength, and most regular planners use two of them in parallel.
Route planning platforms compared
| Platform | Strength | Weakness | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Komoot | Surface heatmap, community highlights | Off-route reroutes are clunky | Discovery on new terrain |
| RideWithGPS | Precise cue sheets, GPX fidelity | Steeper learning curve | Event and club rides |
| Strava Route Builder | Segment popularity data | Weak gravel data outside hotspots | Road-dominant routes |
| Fatmap / Outdooractive | 3D terrain, alpine detail | Overkill for flat gravel | Mountain and bikepacking |
/ 02
Layer Surface Data
Default map tiles hide gravel — to a planning tool, a gravel road and a paved farm track often look the same. Always overlay a surface heatmap (Komoot's surfaces layer, RideWithGPS's Map Style 'Gravel' or 'Cyclocross', or Strava's global heatmap in red) and visually verify every kilometre before you commit.
Look for the orange-red lines on the Strava heatmap — those are popular cyclist lines. Pale blue lines mean fewer riders, which can mean either private, gated, or unrideable. Cross-reference with satellite view whenever a section looks too good to be true.
/ 03
GPX File Hygiene
A GPX file is just XML with waypoints and track points. Most modern head units (Wahoo ELEMNT, Garmin Edge 1030+/1040, Bryton Rider 750) will read a GPX directly from the planner, but cue sheet quality varies. RideWithGPS turn-by-turn cue sheets are the gold standard; Komoot's are good but verbose; Strava routes sometimes miss turns on older units.
Limit route length to 250 km and 5,000 track points per file — older head units choke on bigger files. Split a multi-day tour into one GPX per day, named with the date and stage, so you can find the right file at 5 AM without scrolling.
/ 04
Navigation Hardware
For anything more than a familiar loop, ride with a dedicated GPS head unit, not just a phone. Battery life, sunlight visibility and weatherproofing matter more than app features. Carry the phone fully charged as backup — it is also your emergency communication device.
Mount your head unit on the stem or out-front mount, not the handlebar — bar bags cover the latter. Run screen brightness at 30% on long days to extend battery; most units are still readable in shade at that setting.
/ 05
Build In Bail-Outs
A good route includes two or three named towns along the way where you can cut the ride short — a train station, a bus stop, a café with phone signal. Mark them on your map and write their names on a sticker on your top tube. When you are cold, underfed, or broken, you will not make good decisions about where to stop. Make the decision before the ride.
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