Revolutionizing cycling maps - from Colorado to Mallorca

Zach Lee has created a series of maps and climb profiles that bring the cycling routes and climbs around Boulder, Colorado to visual life in a way that is contextual, informative, and inspirational.
While most maps, even cycling maps, are prioritized around major roads for auto traffic, the Boulder System Map flips the script, highlighting the paved and dirt roads that are best for cycling. The subway-style map is color coded for difficulty and packed with local knowledge.
Zach's Profile Series stacks 25 Boulder-area climbs on top of each other, distilling all the information that's most important to cyclists into an easy-to-digest presentation.
Now Zach and his team are working on projects in the Los Angeles/Santa Monica area and in Mallorca.
Zach is a graphic designer by trade who has done work for bike industry companies and events like Mosaic Cycles, the CrossVegas UCI race, RockyMounts, Point6, Clement Cycling, and more. The map project, however, began as and remains a passion project.
You can buy your own maps and climb illustrations at Zach's site: boulderbikemap....
In this video, Zach and I ride up to the Flagstaff amphitheater (not the full Super Flag), and you can check out his Flagstaff map here: boulderbikemap....
And for context, here's the Strava map of Flagstaff: / strava
Nowhere near as cool, right?
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Who the heck is Ben Delaney?
I spent more than 20 years as a cycling journalist, covering the biggest races, visiting companies, and testing bikes around the world. Now I'm doing my own thing here on KZbin.
Follow me on the socials.
Strava: / strava
Instagram: www.instagram....
Twitter: / ridedelaney

[@michellelee1465]

Thanks Ben for such a great feature on my man and his work! We are grateful for your friendship and for such a supportive community. Hope we can meet up in Mallorca soon for some new riding adventures.

[@SJ-tk4ri]

Nice upload … a little different to the normal cycling channel content, which is always welcoming and refreshing. I found that interesting; what an inventive and creative guy and nice attention to detail 👍🏼 As an aside, having watched and read a few of your reviews featuring the Trek Checkpoint SLR - where you have swapped out the standard short stem - is that a 110mm stem you have fitted to the bike?

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Thank you. And yes, Zach's attention to detail is wonderful. Speaking of attention to detail, good eye! I do have a 110 on the Checkpoint. Definitely longer than stock, but I like that position. I'm kinda a tweener on sizes between 56 and 58, but I prefer the smaller bike with a longer stem, in part because my legs are relatively short for someone who's 6ft.

[@SJ-tk4ri]

@@TheRidewithBenDelaney - thank you.

[@volkefenix]

I've had Zach Lee's simple cycling map hanging in my home for a few years. It is Fantastic!

[@addingonbird1]

Love this

[@hlee5866]

Great video! I can vouch for the fact that Zach melds art and data, taking Edward Tufte's (Envisioning Information) theories and turning information into a beautiful story. If you love cycling and you love design, Zach's pieces are a must-have. Helps that both he and Michelle are such kind and creative people! LOVE!

[@elyshapomerantz7217]

Woohoo!! Zach, your designs are so beautiful and creative. Can’t wait to see what’s next 😁

[@nofinglimit]

I have all his prints, they are so so nice. Everyone loves them.

[@peggyturchette979]

Thanks Zach and Ben. Excellent video, but I must admit the thought came to mind: Who are these CYCLE NERDS? Sorry guys, it's meant as a compliment! I just ordered a map to be sent to my son Quentin at work. He works in a lab that has its own fair share of CYCLE NERDS. Latest excursion: Copper Triangle. They will love this! PS: Cody and Bertie have more sense than to wake up at 4:30 am to do this kind of activity.

[@lazarosnikolaidis256]

In my dreams I ride in Boulder! Greetings from Greece!!🇬🇷

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

And in my dreams I'm hanging out on the beach in Crete! Cheers, Lazaros.

[@lazarosnikolaidis256]

@@TheRidewithBenDelaney Hahaha, so nice!! Hope to see you riding in Greek soil dear Ben! You won't regret it!