I have been routing and riding chunks of the King Alfred's Way. I used https://cycle.travel/map/journey/577335 as a base map and was able to easily modify and study the route using PC and app, all brilliant. My problems began with adding markers - disappearing not saving etc- I believe this may have been addressed according to the forum.
Then I noticed (using PC), when changing the start and stop points near to my location near Wantage, the route suddenly started modifying itself to a subtlety new route -its easy to miss what's happened until you're out cycling the route. I think Richard has explained previously that waypoints converted onto a route map in particularly areas such as the ridgeway without geographic points such as roads can get misinterpreted. I'm not sure what's happening - Can the map be locked/unlocked? ( I know you can toggle "add points" and off ) Of course you can repair the route with added points or use "Direct". Locking all the route or better still parts of the route would be great (unless I've missed this feature). Currently I'm saving multiple versions of the map so I can revert if the rerouting gets out of hand.
I found a similar but unrelated problem using the android version of the app. When trying to check the map in the field I would sometimes clumsily add a point while manipulating zoom etc this would often lead to a rerouting. Again would a lock feature improve this? If I noticed this happening I tapped undo or reopened the map - if I missed it I ended up going the wrong way!
Clearly locking the route would also mean the need to unlock the route for editing - I accept some may find this annoying
Comments
Apefish, perhaps you could provide an example of a section then that same section where you have changed the start/end points?
Maybe I'm getting the wrong end of the stick but as I understand it, CT has (to my simple way of thinking) a database of the 'best' route between every two points. When we plonk down a start point and an end point CT doesn't work out the best way to get between them - it retrieves the best way it calculated previously. Ditto when we put a viapoint in the middle. Understanding that, it makes sense that if we change the start point or the end point that the original route may no longer be the best way so an alternative is suggested.
If we think about it on a grand scale it makes sense. London to Bristol goes through Bath. If I change the destination to go to Gloucester it no longer makes sense to go via Bath.
To make things a tad more complicated, the routing engine is always being updated so it's possible that an 'old route' is no longer the 'best' option according to CT. In that case when we open the old route and give CT any reason to recalculate it (add a viapoint, look at elevation etc.) then the newer, better route version will be presented.
The straightforward way to solve your problem is the judicious use of viapoints. CT won't change viapoints that we have added. In the grand example I gave above (London to Bristol), if I want to change the destination to Gloucester but still want to go via Bath, I just add a viapoint at Bath, then drag the finish line to Gloucester.
Also, I'm not sure if your working method is the best. It might be worth playing around with the 'Trace' option whereby we can import a gpx file that appears on the map as a trace (uneditable line). We can then plot our route along that line as we like. Your ' master' route (https://cycle.travel/map/journey/577335) would work for that purpose (displayed as a trace not a route)
Also, if you're not aware, you can display all your routes in a folder on the one map - a handy way to make sure that every leg is connected.
I think that this is referring to when we upload a gpx file as a route. CT doesn't always import it exactly - however a trace file is displayed exactly.
If all that is too long just add lots of viapoints and your route will stay the same :-)
A lock option is a great idea but there isn’t one at present – in particular it would require reworking the way the elevation display works, otherwise you wouldn’t be able to view elevation for a locked route. It’s not impossible but it won’t be a five-minute change I’m afraid. But it’s a good thought and I’ll note it down.
Thanks for the response, “Also, if you're not aware, you can display all your routes in a folder on the one map - a handy way to make sure that every leg is connected.’ This is a great tip!
I’m going to have a play with trace files too.
Again thanks for great product and support
Ooh, viewing all routes in a folder is a game changer for me 😁 now, excellent work all round. I played around with a C2C route across the Pyrenees (doing it in Sept) and thought I'd check for tips in the forum.
I probably did my route a bit back to front and now have separate routes for each day. I started with an end to end route, forcing it over lots of cols using via points. I saved a new copy and deleted route before and after that days start/end points.
I like the fact that I can't accidentally muck up a multi day route with thick fingers on a touch screen in the middle of nowhere.
Anyway, looking good. I'll make it public if it works out ok... barring landslides and closed local mountain passes!