Route planning: How to playfully explore new regions, roads and paths

Some people prefer to do the same route every time. Others plan a route without putting much effort or time into it. And still others love to sit for hours in front of the route planning software of their choice and plan routes. Not even all of the planned tours have to be realised. Sometimes dreaming is enough.

A brief digression on route planning software. Nowadays, very few outdoor sports enthusiasts use traditional paper maps to plan routes. Instead, they rely on online route planning solutions such as outdooractive, komoot, Strava, Ride with GPS and more. You can define the start and finish and also set intermediate points. Depending on the tool, there are photos of the trails (komoot's Trailview), 3D views, information on the surface and also the cycle path network, the category of single trails (i.e. the level of difficulty) and more.

But now to the topic. Today I'm going to introduce you to two browser plugins that I use myself for route planning.

1. discover new paths and roads with Wandrer.earth

Wandrer.earth is an exploration game where you win by going to places you've never been before. - Wanderer

Wandrer.earth is all about exploring the network of paths and roads. Not only do you discover unknown places in your neighbourhood or wherever you are travelling, but you can also collect points and compare yourself with other Wandrer users. Personally, this is not important to me, but it can also be an additional source of motivation.

Route planning: See where you've been and where you haven't yet

With a browser plug-in, you can display a map overlay on route planners in your browser. Colourful overlays above the roads and paths then show you where you have already been and where you have not. And with this help, you can plan your next tour on your laptop or PC - with as many new metres as possible.

To use Wandrer, you need a Strava profile. However, many cyclists are likely to use Strava anyway. As soon as Wandrer.earth is connected to Strava, your new public activities are automatically synchronised. For a fee of 30 US dollars, all your public Strava activities will be synchronised and you will receive Access to the browser plugin. And you also get points for every path and every road you haven't been on yet.

2. squadrats

Squadrats works in a similar but different way. Here, it is not paths and roads that are collected, but squares of different sizes. The motivation is to enlarge the large square.

Some people take this more seriously than others. A look at the rankings shows this. We have superimposed the names and profile pictures. The picture clearly shows that some people probably plan all their routes with the aim of enlarging their square (second row, third column). For others, the square is important, but other tours also play a role (third row, first column).

When planning my own routes, I take a look at the squares, but I don't let them guide me completely. Squadrats also has a browser extension that allows you to view the progress of various route planning tools (komoot, Strava, BRouter, Garmin, Hammerhead, Naviki, bikerouter.de, Ride with GPS).

With komoot, you can show and hide the squadrats progress by clicking on them (the squadrats symbol is in the top left next to the eye). Squadrats that I haven't been to yet, i.e. that would be new to me, are highlighted in colour on my route - or on yours if you use the extension. This allows me to plan my routes so that I collect a few new squares and explore new areas.

The following rules are noted on the website:

1. Leave your house or flat.
2. Record your activity with a phone or GPS device.
3. Collect Squadrats.

Ride, run, walk, swim, boat - but use your muscles, the wind or gravity.

Motorised vehicles are not permitted!

I prefer to use the connection with Wandrer.earth, Squadrats and komoot to plan my routes. That way, when I cycle the planned tours, I not only see completely new areas, but also new roads and paths in familiar regions. What's more, I've already discovered the odd gravel gem or found little roads that I didn't know existed.

You should always bear this in mind!

I would like to share a few important tips on route planning.

1. Many route planning tools indicate whether cycling is prohibited on a section of the planned route. You should take this into account and either push your bike or plan the route differently.
2. Paths in particular may no longer exist. React to the situation and look for a new path instead of fighting your way through dense thickets.
3. Pay attention to information and prohibition signs and adhere to them. Just because it was possible to plan a route on a certain path or road does not mean that you are allowed to cycle along it.
4. Pay attention to seasonal or year-round access restrictions. Game reserves exist for a reason.