Lobby: A First Look at Improved Printed Maps (Your Opinions Wanted!)

Hi Artur.

I'd like to have the segment and cue sheet functionality as part of the standard (that is, I don't have to pay anything MORE for it) mapping service.  But, will it work?  I ask this because I signed up to be a premium member primarily to gain access to printing out maps.  But, not happy Jan! (Aussies will get this comment), the new improved (?) map service seems to mess up the distance key in the printable version. 

Can you explain why my distance key starts out as miles/km in the online viewable version, and then when it's converted into the pdf it suddenly is shown as m/ft?  This wouldn't be a problem, other than the fact that the key doesn't correlate with the distance markers set out on the route on the map.  For example, my route, Memorial Boulevard, Newport Harbour, Beacon Hill Rd ... would only be about 11kms according to the distance key instead of just under 16 kms/9 miles that the mile markers are showing on the mapped route. 

Am I getting this glitsch because I have my profile set to metric? Or do imperial system users also have this problem on their maps?

Just a tad sceptical after signing up for a year -

Stevie

Steve,

The improved premium maps will not cost extra and will be free for premium members, these are in fact replacing the current system.

Distance calculations are working properly in this new version and I have been testing with metric :)

Alright folks, let's here your suggestions. Don't be shy

 

Here's another look (this is a screenshot of a PDF) scaled down :)

Click for Screenshot

 

 I will look into posting a sample PDF shortly. 

My first recommendation is that you get another job before MapMyRide goes under.  Let me see if I have this right,  I spend my time and effort to develop routes for other cyclist to see and use and then MapMyRide charges them to print the cue sheets or maps.  Not a very sound business plan to me.

 

What I want is a forum whereby cyclist can share ideas about routes.  What is the safest way to get from point A to point B?  Which route is the most fun and the most scenic?

 

The only way I would ever pay $48 a year to MapMyRide is if MapMyRide then paid $35 to the League of American Bicyclist as my membership dues for a year.

 

Before you work on the maps, get the cue sheet generation features working first.  Go to Bike Route Toaster to see some good cue sheet ideas.  It is a free site.  They have the auto generation of cue sheets and it works.  You can edit the cue sheet and it doesn’t delete the other notes like MapMyRide (MMR).  They create a CSV file and a utility that loads it straight into a MS Excel file.  With MMR, you have the copy and paste to do this.  Or on their site you just print the cue sheet.

 

Do not combine the cue sheets with the maps.  Cyclist don’t use them that way.  The users will know the only reason you are combining the maps and the cue sheets is to force people to pay to print them.  They will not tolerate that BS.

 

Then add a feature whereby users can contact each other directly via email.   Protect us from spam of course.  This would expand our ability to “  share ideas about routes”.  Bikely has this feature (another free site).

 

If after you do that and MMR is still in business, work on the maps.  I only use maps when I get lost because I didn’t pay attention to the cue sheet.  Sometimes I enjoy the scenery or watch traffic or think I know the way and then I am not on the route anymore.   I then stop, pull out a map and figure out how to get back home.

 

The only maps that I have seen that are really useful required huge amounts of user effort.  With the old MMR system we could copy the maps into a Word or Excel file and then add text boxes.  I would add street names and other info.   Don’t think for a minute I would put this much effort into a map into a map MMR controls.  I would only do this if the map was on my computer and I could share it with anyone I wanted.  This is what we need and want.  I know this would not allow MMR to sell my work to others.

 

The new mapping version freezes up all the time while building the route with my Macbook Pro using Safari. You never know how far you'll get before the screen gets stuck in the 'please wait' grey screen while its thinking. If you back up a page, you've lost all your data. Really sucks. Otherwise, no problem.

Hello JamisonRoberts,

We're slowly rolling out the advanced printed map functionality right now, very soon you will be able to specify the level of detail you need on a route (for instance on a hike you can choose to see 500 m segments rather then 10km).

Unfortunately Google doesn't license their maps for printing and thus we're forced to use MapQuest here. Believe me, I would love to have used the Google maps here :)

I purchased a map that I had made a few days ago.  I wasn't impressed with the layout and being my first attempt (aka waste of two bucks)  I had 71 segment markers and no cues for a 53 mile route.

I'd rather just draw my route on Google.

Would MapMyFitness ever consider donating things like printable maps and such to non-profits?  I've been using MMR for mapping and doing easy cue sheets for our ride, but segmented or overview maps and elevation would help us a lot.

Thanks,

Jesse Card

Ride Green Build Green (.org) 

I am moving to some other site - the new mapping tool is useless.  It also drives me mad each time I try to use it.  that's it I'm gone

 

Seán

Is there any way  I can print TOPO maps with my routes on them?  Is this something we will be able to do in the future?  90% of my running is off road and a printed street view map is useless.  The only reason I paid for a premium membership was for the TOPO and satillite views!

 

Thanks,

Jim