Make DC Bike Maps durable?

[RideTheWomble]

I was a US Army scout platoon leader in a former life, so this topic is near and dear to me. Go to some place like REI and get yourself a map case. If you have PX privileges, the uniform sales store is an even better choice.

The idea is to fold the map so the parts you will need are visible on the two sides of the case. That way, you don’t have to take the map out. If you keep the map dry and clean, and minimize handling, it will last a long time.

The larger the map case, the more map you can expose. You’ll have to decide where the sweet spot between, “compact enough to fit in my jersey pocket,” and, “big enough to show my epic ride,” is.

You could also laminate your map with sticky acetate, but, IMO, that makes it too unwieldy for use on a bike.

[off2ride]

@ColumbiaHeights 47261 wrote:

When it comes to mapping my way to new destinations, I’m old-school. I refer to a hardcopy of the DC Bike Map. I keep the map in a jacket pocket, bookbag or in my jeans back pocket as I ride. If I get lost while riding I pull out the map. I find that the maps aren’t super durable. With frequent use, it doesn’t take long for the maps to rip along the folds. I’m now adding scotch tape at the “corners” pre-emptively, in the hopes that this will prevent the map from ripping.

Anyone have any other tips for making the maps last? Thanks!

Perhaps an off the shelf laminated map might help. Or Google maps on your phone if you have it.

[krazygl00]

@ColumbiaHeights 47261 wrote:

When it comes to mapping my way to new destinations, I’m old-school. I refer to a hardcopy of the DC Bike Map. I keep the map in a jacket pocket, bookbag or in my jeans back pocket as I ride. If I get lost while riding I pull out the map. I find that the maps aren’t super durable. With frequent use, it doesn’t take long for the maps to rip along the folds. I’m now adding scotch tape at the “corners” pre-emptively, in the hopes that this will prevent the map from ripping.

Anyone have any other tips for making the maps last? Thanks!

Bar Map Case. Spokes Etc. has them I believe. I also have one I never use anymore (because I’m not old-school anymore); I’ll try to remember to throw it in my bag and keep it there, and should we meet up at one of the Happy Hours you are more than welcome to it.

[brendan]

I’ve seen a solution that can be painted onto maps that is supposed to protect them…googling. I think this is it: http://www.aquaseal.com/map-seal.html

[ColumbiaHeights]

Thanks for all the tips guys. In the summer I know there will be times when I travel with no bag, etc, so I think I’m going to try out the aqua seal. I’ll put the map in my back pocket (balances out the wallet!)

I don’t have a smartphone, but I do have an Ipod Touch. It’s basically an iPhone, but there’s no 4G, so I can only access internet and GPS features if I’m in a wifi zone. I may be able to save a PDF or image of the DC bike map to my Ipod Touch, in which case I wouldn’t need internet to view the map. I’ll toy around with this on my own unless someone can provide any tips. Thanks again guys.

[DismalScientist]

@ColumbiaHeights 47427 wrote:

I don’t have a smartphone, but I do have an Ipod Touch. It’s basically an iPhone, but there’s no 4G, so I can only access internet and GPS features if I’m in a wifi zone. I may be able to save a PDF or image of the DC bike map to my Ipod Touch, in which case I wouldn’t need internet to view the map. I’ll toy around with this on my own unless someone can provide any tips. Thanks again guys.

The GPS should be independent of the WiFi else I could not record a GPS track in “Airplane mode.” A device with GPS should know where it is at all times, but this will be worthless if a good street level maps is not available outside of WiFi range. I don’t know if you can download an appropriate map for this application.

[Steve]

@DismalScientist 47429 wrote:

The GPS should be independent of the WiFi else I could not record a GPS track in “Airplane mode.” A device with GPS should know where it is at all times, but this will be worthless if a good street level maps is not available outside of WiFi range. I don’t know if you can download an appropriate map for this application.

Are you saying that you could use strava on the iphone in airplane mode? I did not know that. So it’ll just track your GPS route, and then later at some point you could link to wifi or 4g to upload the track?

[DismalScientist]

@Steve 47432 wrote:

Are you saying that you could use strava on the iphone in airplane mode? I did not know that. So it’ll just track your GPS route, and then later at some point you could link to wifi or 4g to upload the track?

Yep. (Well it was an android phone.) It still didn’t save my battery enough, but the effort was to reduce power consumption (and not answer phone calls from the ball and chain).

[vvill]

@DismalScientist 47433 wrote:

(and not answer phone calls from the ball and chain).

Sorry, I’ll stop calling you reminding you to do another 50 miles/day now.

[dasgeh]

@DismalScientist 47429 wrote:

The GPS should be independent of the WiFi

I don’t think iPod’s have GPS (as opposed to iPhones — sidebar: does anyone know if the GPS on the iPhones will work after you’ve nixed the cell plan?).

ColumbiaHeights, if you do try the aquaseal, let us know how it goes.

[TwoWheelsDC]

@Steve 47432 wrote:

Are you saying that you could use strava on the iphone in airplane mode? I did not know that. So it’ll just track your GPS route, and then later at some point you could link to wifi or 4g to upload the track?

GPS will not work on an iPhone in airplane mode. If you’re near wifi, you can turn that on and get very basic position information, but that would be useless for Strava and I doubt the app would even use the position data without the GPS receiver turned on.

Some Android phones allow it, some don’t…it depends on the manufacturer.

[TwoWheelsDC]

@dasgeh 47445 wrote:

sidebar: does anyone know if the GPS on the iPhones will work after you’ve nixed the cell plan?

iPhone maps require a data connection, so in general, probably not. It would probably work if you use wifi for data, but then you’re not going to be able to go anywhere to actually use the GPS. If you have an old iPhone laying around that you want to use for just GPS, you could get a pre-paid SIM and just leave it in the phone for when you want to use it.

[americancyclo]

@TwoWheelsDC 47447 wrote:

iPhone maps require a data connection

That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. <- Comment pointed at Apple, not TwoWheels.
I’ve never used an idevice, but all the LG and HTC phones I’ve used (winmobile and Android) have let you use GPS and/or wifi independently of the data connection.
I know that Google offers ‘offline’ maps that you can download to your device, and OSMAndroid is pretty boss as well with the offline maps, but with Google and Apple not agreeing on much lately, that might not be an option.

I’d look in to some of the apps listed here: http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Apple_iOS if you’re looking to get a downloadable offline map to help you find your way. or get a cheap old android device from Craigslist.

[DismalScientist]

Why would one need GPS if only workable with a WiFi connection? Presumably if you are connected by WiFi, you already know where you are.

[lancito brazofuerte]

I go old school when I use paper maps or cue sheets. Get some extra cheap packing tape and tape over the whole thing except for the main creases. Then run a strip of tape along the crease. Still allows it to be folded and you can make notes in sharpie on it that will (with a little effort) wipe off.
I like the super cheap tape because it tends to be thinner than the good stuff and more pliable

[Author]

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