What tips for complex trips?

Keithhu

Folks - curious to hear what your tips are for navigating trips which contain lots of directions - if you want to avoid highways, often there are a ton of turns.

GPS is one idea, but its expensive, and honestly I prefer not to be distracted by it. It seems like it would be a hassle to stop and look at a piece of paper that often.

I'm curious to learn from the more experienced among us as to how they manage this. Thanks!

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fwcole

Working with a traveling construction company has kind of etched a state wide map in my head I go by memory most of the time

jaceddie

You might want to check out the magnetic tank bags that have a clear window on top for maps and such. When we travel, we write the turns and roads in large letters and put them under the clear window.

Keithhu

Thanks, jaceddie, do you have a product suggestion?

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Bound to cover just a little more ground!

srf506

I use a TomTom Rider 1 GPS. I can program about any route in it and you actually don't look at it that often as the unit "talks" to you telling you what and where the turns are. If you stray from the route it's programmed for it'll quickly recalculate a new route. It keeps all kinds of trip stats for you and I think is a pretty handy little device. Mine was only $250 from Amazon. I'm not even sure you can still get a Rider 1. I know TomTom came out with the Rider 2 not too long ago, so 1 could be gone.

Dr. Doolittle

Exactly what I have and use. Cheap GPS and AAA maps stay in the saddlebags for last resort use. You'll eventually develop your own shorthand and abbreviations and be able to fit a whole days worth of directions on one page.

I ordered mine from Eglidegoodies - it's made by T Bags.

Oh, be sure you keep the bottom and the magnet area nice and clean or you risk scratching your tank's paint.

Since I ride a bike with music, I don't want or need my GPS talking to me!

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2008 Street Glide

Breeze3at

Keith; I use a clear pouch with magnets (like a tank bag) to hold my map (open end towards seat). Road Atlas's have detailed enough maps for my trips, they go down to some pretty minor roads. I rip the state(s) out of the book, I highlight my intended roads with blue highlighter, fold and insert in pouch. I make a turn by turn instruction sheet about 4" wide and clip to edge of my windshield with a spring clip for safe viewing (put some duct tape on jaws so clip doesn't scratch). The map on tank gives me a good mental overview of where I am/want to go. At day's end I go over traveled roads with yellow highlighter, which turns green over the blue, and refold my turn by turn instructions for the next leg. You can get road atlas' at K or W mart, I got several off e-bay for $7 ea. incl. shipping. Reg. state maps work, but I find I had to do too much refolding during the day. Have a good trip!

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Different rides for different reasons, and knees in the breeze in all four seasons.

smitty901

IMO GPS are a waste and distraction.
If the route is to hard to follow use a grease pencil and draw a strip map on windshield
With a few notes easy to read wipes right off

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The Infantry leads the way

Breeze3at

[QUOTE=smitty901;189011]IMO GPS are a waste and distraction.
If the route is to hard to follow use a grease pencil and draw a strip map on windshield
With a few notes easy to read wipes right off[/QUOTE
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Smitty; Good one! The original (and cheapest) heads up display

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Different rides for different reasons, and knees in the breeze in all four seasons.

Hobbit

i use TOM TOM rider 1 and have a list of key points ie town names im heading to written down i can still to this day see and do the IBA run i did as its etched into my head.
I like smittys draw it on the windscreen

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