Comprehensive cycling information at sites

young thomas
young thomas Club Member Posts: 11,357 ✭✭✭✭✭
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areived yesterday at St Jean de Monts in the Vendee, in France, and many site write ups mentioned the wonderful cycling in this area.

i enquired at reception about bike info and was given two documents....one, a map of the Vendee showing the routes over the whole area, with the other side of the map in a larger scale, detailing those paths closer ( 40 km radius) to St Jean de Monts.....incl the roure we did yesterday to the island of Noirmoutier.....66km return and ALL off road on pirpose built dedicated cycle tracks.

the second document was in fact a 50page glossy book of all the routes in the area, compiled into 30+ circular routes with various starting points...a truly comprehensive guide.

now, im not expecting huge off roads paths to be constructed over night, but it would be nice to see more comprehensive and relevant Sustrans maps available at site offices.

we like to cycle to explore where possible yet, even at sites that are close to proper routes, there is little decent documentation (rarely a proper map) and the staff generally dont have much personal info as most dont know where the routes are....

i wish the Club could get together more with Sustrans and get us some decent info designed to het more of us out of our cars and getting into the 'fresh' air....

ill consider discussing this with the club but.......

just interested in other cyclists views..... 

Comments

  • young thomas
    young thomas Club Member Posts: 11,357 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited August 2017 #2

    this appears to be a duplicate, please use other thread, thanks....

  • ocsid
    ocsid Forum Participant Posts: 1,395
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    edited August 2017 #3

    It would be great if it happens as so many take our bikes along with us on our trips away, and not only for sites but CLs, rallies and holiday meets.

    I did prepare sheets for a holiday meet run through this August, outlining routes of various levels of challenge. In return I got a lot of satisfaction from the thanks I received and fully intend to build on this for the future.

  • young thomas
    young thomas Club Member Posts: 11,357 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited August 2017 #4

    David, the post was most definitely NOT about continental sites.

    the point was that i wanted to get the reaction of those using uk sites and what information is available here (having given an example of the type of info that CAN be made a ailable if there is the will)....perhaps with a sustrans/club relationship.

    we already know they do it right 'over there'....

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited August 2017 #5

     I'm having difficulty tracking posts this morning. The duplicate posts are  causing real problems.

    BB just to say that the club does link up with Sustrans, you should be able to see the links further down in each site details. Recently I noticed some links seemed to be missing but they can usually be found hidden away. This takes you to a local route.

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited August 2017 #6

    +1

  • Rocky 2 buckets
    Rocky 2 buckets Forum Participant Posts: 7,101
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    edited August 2017 #7

    There in itself lies the rub Brue, BB had info given to Him as part of the positive ongoing customer relations. Whereas here an online search is offered. In itself not a problem-accepted. To have your cycle with you then to be given info is far superior(& inclusive) to be given a link to info.

  • birderbilly
    birderbilly Forum Participant Posts: 349
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    edited August 2017 #8

    I guess the main dif is that if you want a printed Sustrans map you have to buy it, whereas in France as you say such things are freely distributed.

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited August 2017 #9

    You can look at Sustrans cycle maps on your phone, downloaded by place or postcode. I think some club sites might have the maps in the information rooms, I know Baltic Wharf usually has them. the club has been doing this for a while.

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,196 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2017 #10

    Copyright could be an issue. It certainly is with copies of OS maps, 1x4 A4 of a map is the maximum. Having said that a C&CC site we went to handed out A4 sheet including site, can't remember the scale but was enough to follow footpaths.

    Whilst we can't expect site wardens to add tourist guide to their remit I'm sometimes surprised how little they know the area outside the site. (Having to work too many hours 😉😉? Or moved from sites? No interest?)

    Maybe there is more of a push to get people cycling and walking and not just words so the info is at your finger tips rather than searching? Perhaps their visitors aren't independent thinkers? I agree more joined up thinking with others like sustains would be great and offering it proactively would be much appreciated. 

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited August 2017 #11

    Here's a link to the Sustrans mapping page, Sustrans is a charity which relies on donations.

    see here

    You should hopefully find the details in site information rooms.

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,196 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2017 #12

     Even just posting and liking on this thread at each update posts arrive and disappear. As I type there are 7 replies - mine previous reply along with blue's is/are missing.

    This site certainly doesn't improve in any way 😤. I strongly suspect that they'd like it to die. It's already lost lots of very knowledgeable posters 😢. I've seen nothing that would disabuse me of this opinion. 

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,196 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2017 #13

    As that last from me appeared it's number 11 reply 😤😲😭

  • young thomas
    young thomas Club Member Posts: 11,357 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited August 2017 #14

    brue, thats about as basic a relationship as is possible....

    any keen cyclist could find the Sustrans website themselves and who wants to be (or is able) to plan and monitor routes on a phone while put and about.

    im talking about a decent map of the surrounding (say 30mi.e) area, or at the least, maps based around popular centres.

    rather than all the rubbish placed in the information room (two for one at some restaurant in the next county) why not have some decent cycling maps.

    we got one last year from a CCC site when in Cambridge, the wardens begged us not to lose it as it was the only one they had and Suntrans 'didnt like to give them out' (perhaps someone might actually use it..)

    i wonder if the club think that theyve 'done cycling' by placing a few web links on their own website? perhaps this is the level theyve set themself for involvement in any outside acticity....? IE DIYfrown

     

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited August 2017 #15

    Sustrans have available maps and routes for all their cycle ways ,but of course if you want it all supplied free?undecided 

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,064 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2017 #16

    Good post BB. If I was you, I would repost something similar in the UK thread, and then we can follow it and contribute easily without the duplicate post issues. I had a heck of a job trying to post this, the thread is jumping about all over! Definitely needs to go in UK section, but interesting about what sites are providing overseas.laughing

  • young thomas
    young thomas Club Member Posts: 11,357 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited August 2017 #17

    TTDA, I posted the original in tne UK section as it was a thread about whether the club could get more involved with 'whoever' so as to present more tactile information to those withing to explore on bikes from their sites.

    unfortunately, as i had the temerity to mention a foreign site, DK kindly moved it into the Overseas section....they dont need chivvying up, they already do it, lolwink

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,196 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2017 #18

    You're not kidding about this thread. Can't access from latest discussions, 2 threads both say they are locked. Got on via latest activity and got replies 11-16, got to first page 0 replies locked three 😤😤😭😭😢😢

  • InaD
    InaD Club Member Posts: 1,701 ✭✭
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    edited September 2017 #19

     So am I, this morning a day later.  Both threads are showing as locked when you click on them, with no posts showing.  Only by clicking on the date and time of Bakers2's post (the last one) did I get to this one.  But when going to page 2 I got the initial OP with 0 replies.  Oh dear.

    Meanwhile, the info BB tells us about was sent to me last year by post when emailing the TI in that area.  It is indeed a very comprehensive book with cycletrips detailed in it. 

  • young thomas
    young thomas Club Member Posts: 11,357 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited September 2017 #20

    i have asked DK to move it (there seems to be one working part to this thread, just....) back to the UK section where i posted it....

    the point (as Ina confirms) is that sites over 'here' seem to be right on the ball with local comprehensive cycling info, i wanted to get views of those who use bikes in the UK and what they thought of how we are being 'served' by the Club(s) and Sustrans etc....and i meant more than a web link.

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited September 2017 #21

    Over here wink If I wanted a cycle route from Sustrans I'd print off before going on holiday. As I said some sites have a printed copy available.