GPX Files, Apps & Maps

As you will see in the book, the ride description does not give you detailed step by step directions (eg turn left at the church, straight through the duckpond) but an overview of the ride.

Why? Well can you ride a bike while reading a book? I certainly can’t.

And so because it is hard to both ride and read, realistically you would have to keep the book in your panier (heavy) and then get it out, find the right page and look up which way to go at every tiny junction.

Both annoying not to mention slow. (Plus, as it rains a lot in the UK after three turns in February all your pages would be stuck together anyway). 

Instead, I have given you what I hope are two infinitely more useable options:

1.        A GPX file

2.        A moveable map

In brief, the GPX file is for those people who have a navigation app installed on their smartphone.

The moveable map is created for those of you who don’t, and would like to read a map instead.  

Lets look at how to use each.

What is a GPX file?

A GPX file is a little file that contains LOTS of location data in it. Whereas a Jpeg stores information about pictures, A Doc file words, a GPX file contains data on longitude and latitude.

However, you can’t just open a GPX file on a laptop or in text format on your smartphone as you will get a load of gobbledygook.

A GPX file can only be opened by something called a Navigation App. The navigation app then takes the data from the GPX file and transforms it into a pretty map, with turn by turn directions.  

What is a Navigation App?

A navigation app is an app that you install on your smartphone or tablet. It allows you to plan routes / record routes / and in the case of my book – import ready planned routes – which you can then explore with turn by turn directions. (Just like a SatNav in a car).

Examples of navigation apps are: Ride with GPS, Komoot, Strava, BikeGPX (free), OS Maps and many more. Most have free features with the option to upgrade to premium plans – although for some this isn’t needed.

So, to use a GPX file first you must have a navigation app installed on your smartphone.

How to use the GPX files on this webpage

When you load a GPX file from my website into your navigation app on your phone a wonderful ready-made map of the entire route -  with step by step directions will be loaded for you.

You can then either look at this lovely map by attaching your phone to your handlebars (and it will move with you) and see your progress and what paths to take. Or, put the volume up and get it to speak to you. And, it will literally say, ‘go left in 100 yards’.

It is basically like following SatNav in a car, where I have already loaded the route in for you.

How to download the GPX files from my website to your smartphone

1.        Go to my website on your Smartphone (this will not work on a laptop)

2.        Go to the ride that you want to go on (eg 1.Goring Little Legs).

3.        Find this bit on the page:

4.        Click on the arrow on the right hand side to download the GPX file onto your phone.

5.        Your phone will then download the GPX file from my website onto your phone.

So now you have the GPX file on your phone. And in my experience your phone may do one of two main things:

A - the nice easy phone:

As the file moves from my website to your phone, a pop up will appear saying, ‘Open With’ and show you the possible navigation apps you could open it with.

You then simply choose your navigation app, open it up and follow the links in your app to download and save the ride.

B - the slightly trickier phone

The GPX file will download and then seemingly disappear into thin air.

If this happens then go to your ‘Files / Downloads’ Folder on your phone. You will find the file here and need to click on it to open it up in your phone.

At this point, a pop up should appear saying ‘open with’ and show you your navigation app.

(Please note you may well need to scroll across your apps bar and press the three buttons saying ‘more’ and go deeper into your phone apps - especially if you haven’t used your navigation app for a while).

Simply then select the app, upload the file into your navigation app and off you go.

(Note - sometimes when you click on the file in your downloads you have to ‘hold the click’ and then that gives you options. Choose ‘share’ and then the pop up for your chosen app should appear).

So, I wish you GOOD LUCK! And let me know how you get on.

Have these GPX files been tested?

YES ! Probably a billion times.

And, not only have I tested them but these GPX files have been tested by lots of different cyclists. Some using Android phones, others with iPhones. They all opened them successfully on a wide variety of navigation apps and phones of varying vintages.  

Furthermore, I got a tech specialist to check them, and he guarantees me that there is nothing wrong with the files. All are good.

So, I’m therefore hoping you all have no problems!

However, if you do encounter problems please let me know and I will do my best to assist you. (Although please note, I am not a tech genius and you will almost certainly have more luck giving your phone to a passing 16 year old. They will be able to do it in about 11 seconds. Then again, they will probably ask for a tenner for doing so).  

The Donald Trump Drawback of Navigation Apps

As I say in the book - the one problem with navigation apps is that they drain your phone battery faster than Donald Trump empties his fake tan bottle.

Fact. If you are using a navigation app on one of these rides your phone battery will not last the entire ride.  For this reason, I would strongly suggest you take a spare battery. I use a INIU slim power bank (about £15). About the same size as a small phone, (but fatter) but lasts for a loooong time.

So, if you’re using an app, the GOLDEN (never orange like Donald) rule is – take a spare battery. (And also, don't forget the cable to attach your battery to your phone....).

The Moveable Map

Now, many of you may have an allergic reaction when anyone mentions the word, ‘navigation app’ and 'GPX file'. And so for you, I’ve made some online digital maps.

The aim of this moveable map is so you can have it on your handlebars, or just go in and look at it, as you would do with an OS map, but without the need to carry a giant map in your panier. The moveable map won’t follow your route or give you directions (as the GPX file will) but will simply be a tool for you to use in exactly the same way as a map.

Because phones are small, the maps have been made so you can zoom in and out of them as much or as little as you like. Plus, as with everything, the cake stops are marked on for you. (just click on the little marker points and the cake shops will pop up).

I think they’re quite nifty actually. And I hope you agree.