MTB trail layer for RideWithGPS

[Chazmo]

Hi gang,

This new RideWithGPS trip planning feature might be of some use. It’s available for all users. I know some/many of you use RWGPS. FYI, I haven’t tried it yet as I haven’t done any planning with RWGPS. Their map overlays have been very useful for me for my local riding.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Thanks for pointing out this new map layer. Could be useful.

Must be a work in progress, though, cuz it has nothing marked in the most popular MTB spot in my area — Denk Mountain. Non-electric bikes allowed, true MTB trails, quite challenging in places, heavily utilized by the MTB crowd.

Yet all the Denk Mountain trails show up in the "Unpaved Cycling" layer. Hope the new MTB layer doesn't share the unpaved layer's pitfall of showing lots of offroad paths where no bikes are allowed.

 

[Chazmo]

I use the unpaved cycling map overlay all the time when I’m riding my trails, Jeremy. Very useful.

Yeah, sorry. I don’t know what this “MTB trail layer” is. Hope it’s of some use (sounds like possibly not). As mentioned, I haven’t used RWGPS for any trip planning, though I know some of you have.

Good luck!

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

I use the unpaved cycling map overlay all the time when I’m riding my trails, Jeremy. Very useful.

Yes, very useful when I'm standing there at the start of an unfamiliar trail, the signage says it's OK to ride, and I just need to know where the trail goes.

But not entirely trustworthy for route previewing or planning at home. Case in point. The "RideWithGPS Cycle" layer is much better at NOT showing paths where all bikes are banned.

Yeah, sorry. I don’t know what this “MTB trail layer” is.

Huh? “MTB trail layer” is in your title. It's called "MTB trails" in the app's drop down layer menu. Don't recall seeing it before today, so it must be a recent addition.

As mentioned, I haven’t used RWGPS for any trip planning, though I know some of you have.

I seldom use it for planning routes I actually plan to ride turn for turn. Too much of a follow-my-nose rider for that.

But VERY handy for previewing route segments I'm considering. With the USGS topo layer, you can get a good feel for the gradients involved. And with the satellite view, you can clearly see gates and the bike infrastructure or lack thereof.

 

[Chazmo]

Huh? “MTB trail layer” is in your title. It's called "MTB trails" in the app's drop down layer menu. Don't recall seeing it before today, so it must be a recent addition.

Right. I only meant that I don’t know what it is because I haven’t used it yet, Jeremy.

Yes, very useful when I'm standing there at the start of an unfamiliar trail, the signage says it's OK to ride, and I just need to know where the trail goes.

‘zackly!

The "RideWithGPS Cycle" layer is much better at NOT showing paths where all bikes are banned.

Good to know. I haven’t run into any of that here in central MA, but I get it.

 

[stompandgo]

I will check that out.

 

[Chazmo]

Well, I’m not seeing much either when I use just MTB layer in the places where I ride. I think Jeremy is right that it’s a work in progress. I know that by comparison the unpaved layer shows a lot. And, of course, when you turn on the global heatmap you get a LOT of (potentially) good stuff.

Well, if anyone figures this out, or has an example area where there is some value added, and wants to chime in, please do!

 

[Chazmo]

Ah, so, a little more information which explains the situation… Basically, this map layer is taking data from a new “source” that doesn’t appear to have anything to do with RWGPS itself. Great! But, not useful until it matures.

Don’t see your local trails?
You can edit and add trails to the map – yes, you!
Our map data comes from an open-source global map database called Open Street Map. It’s created and maintained by a worldwide community.

Here’s a link to add trails. I might play around with this, but I can see it won’t be useful for (at least) a while..

https://support.ridewithgps.com/hc/en-us/articles/30582436998171-Adding-MTB-Trails-to-OpenStreetMap?utm_source=backend&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=mtb_layer&utm_content=osm_edit&email_send_id=208718410&otu=