How to Create Amazing & Fun Gravel Routes!

[@DerekWhiteRidesABike]

Building routes is a hobby of mine after I got the hang of using all of the tools you mentioned in video. I've built up some trust among my friends where they are willing to tag along on the unknown adventures and excitement that comes with a new route day.

[@GravelCyclist]

Love reading about this.

[@teddgram]

I generally do the same. One thing that I've found to be challenging is avoiding that deep sand. You mention preferring to not use Gravelmap, which I agree with you, it is pretty taxing, but occasionally there's some good intel in there. Some people leave reviews of certain roads and if there's deep sand it's usually an obvious comment. However, I would really need a lot of time to go through each road.

[@whatwouldjacobdo]

I grew up on a gravel road in Corsicana, not far at all from Italy. Tons of gravel around there. Go to Collin Street Bakery for some cherry icebox cookies and thank me later!

[@Ben-td4vz]

When did I miss this video? Very interesting and well made. Like to watch another one of that kind. Thanks & Cheers

[@DaneKromer]

Great video JOM! I use a different system (Garmin Connect) but pretty much the same process. Creating routes is part of the adventure! I’m intrigued by RWGPS but have not been willing to pay for it. I may have to rethink that as the integration of Google Maps is superior to Connect. I’ll be in Texas hill country for a couple weeks of riding in March. It will be our second year in Texas. Your video has me pumped to get going on gravel in 2023! Thanks again for a great video!

[@dougnevitt2257]

Great video! Thank You. And yes, I would be very interested in seeing you plot another route.

[@GravelCyclist]

10-4 Doug... I think somewhere in New England may be appropriate this time around.

[@bcm1013]

The master shares his secrets. Good information and insights. I had been using mainly Gravel Map to find routes. When I was in AZ the last two winters, did take some of the routes off of Dirty Freehub as well. Will definitely incorporate these tips on my next bit of traveling. Thanks JOM.

[@GravelCyclist]

You are most welcome. Dirty Freehub, good people, friends, and one of the few sites whose routes I have used.

[@bcm1013]

@@GravelCyclist Patagonia was a personal fav of mine.

[@keithpollasky2414]

Slack Packing?! Funny AF😂! I guess I used to SP but now prefer a hot shower, cold beer & proper bed after rolling in the dirt for 5 hours.

[@ianthedondaws7559]

Brilliant 👍🤘🏻

[@donbarnard82]

Often I have in mind a particular section of road(s) or destination I want to build a route around. The process becomes, how to connect up these locations in a reasonable loop while avoiding crappy roads (dangerous, busy, fast, no shoulder, etc...). The problem with the route builders I use is the sequential way the routes are built with them, which is understandable, but I end up painting myself into a corner and waste a lot of time that way. What I really want to do is build out from a segment in different directions and create disconnected pieces that I figure out how to connect until a contiguous route comes together. I mostly use strava for routes. I don't know if rwgps has features that would help with that. The way it works for me now is I kind of have to figure the route first, then lay it down with the software so I can load it into my GPS later.

[@GravelCyclist]

Hi Donald, like you, I have wasted copious amounts of time creating routes that go nowhere, due to many of the reasons you point out. I've had a fair number of dodgy experiences where obstacles that weren't present on the three year old satellite map (i.e. a solar farm), which then required considerable on-the-fly re-routing. The fun and games of exploration!

[@DaneKromer]

I’ve put over 4,000 miles of gravel segments in Gravelmap to create as many gravel options I can when I’m headed to a new area. Gravelmap has a lot of promise but too many people don’t follow the rules and make long mixed surface “segments” which cannot be trusted. So I use the Google Map zoom-in technique and Strava heat maps to verify each gravel segment. Once I’ve got an area covered with new or verified gravel segments in Gravelmap, I create my routes. This is tedious but I’m retired and have the time. I’ll be giving RWGPS a try based on JOM’s excellent tutorial!

[@briancarlson1364]

Nothing better than creating an awesome unique gravel route and riding it with friends, hearing their enjoyment finding gems they never knew existed. But do you share that route publically on RideWithGPS, Strava, etc or do you keep to yourself so the spot does not blow up?

[@GravelCyclist]

Hey Brian, glad you share my sentiments. I didn't share the route I created publicly in this video, as I generally like to pre-ride them to ensure they are 100% spot on, vs dodgy AF, like the example is towards the end. I've got a growing route library over at this link - www.gravelcyclist.com/gravel-cycling-routes/ - that I have many additions coming to shortly. I don't contribute to Strava, not my bag.

[@briancarlson1364]

@@GravelCyclist great video, shows im not the only crazy one that spends hours perfecting my route design. Cheers

[@OzarksGypsy]

I see the bit over on the left side about Paved, Unpaved, Unknown but it does not seem very accurate. Is there a way to tell the system what roads are paved or unpaved so that you can get an accurate estimate of the mix for a given ride?

[@GravelCyclist]

Agreed, what you're referring to is highly inaccurate. I utilize the satellite / street view to color code the mixed-surface roads, and mostly hope for the best. I'm sure one day in the future we'll have super accurate plotting, but for now, it's still in the works.

[@OzarksGypsy]

@@GravelCyclist So there is no way to force the system to mark a section as Paved or Gravel? It is frustrating to find a "gravel route" on there and it says its 95% paved... when it is not.

[@GravelCyclist]

No way to perform an override I am afraid. I am thankful the plotting, etc, exists. This is far better than the paper maps and stuff I used for planning routes pre 2007 (original Garmin 705 was a game changer).

[@MrHoustonismydog]

Do you think it’s possible to plan a route on a iPad or would you recommend Laptop?

[@GravelCyclist]

You could use an iPad or Android type tablet, but I prefer a laptop.

[@canadiankiwijay]

that little google guys is pegman 🙂(and love your work!)

[@GravelCyclist]

Thank you! Well noted on Mr Pegman. :)