Richard, I used the iOS app for the first time in about a year and some of the changes you've made are terrific.
- 10 meters from next turn sound is distinctive and works perfectly
- dim between turns seems a lot more reliable on iOS 18 (but not 100%) -- though I suspect the issues were always iOS's fault
- map lock addresses my pain point of inadvertently editing routes when trying to pan/zoom
A few suggestions/wishes:
- if I'm zoomed out on the map, navigating through a traffic circle requires that I hear which "exit" I need to take; there is not really an on-screen indication. Sometimes I miss it due to wind noise. Maybe there is a way the "exit number" can be shown on screen -- like the distance to next turn is shown.
- A nitpick 😉 : the traffic circle icon always shows clockwise (UK) travel
- I wish the app would show which direction I'm facing even if I'm not moving. Komoot, RWGPS, Strava, Apple and Google do this and it's helpful when I'm befuddled at a complex intersection (or befuddled at a simple one)
- "round trip" editing the app's active route on the website involves a lot of steps. Suggestion: if the app's active route is modified on the website, the app could be notified by your server and ask the user whether to load the new version.
Also: on the website, moving between the two folder views (list/edit view and map view) is clunky. I often want to view the folder map, rename/move/delete routes, then go back to the folder map. Maybe there could be toggle for the folder view.
The recent Komoot acquisition (and staff firing) reminds us of the rarity of your approach to the product and business. I can tell it's a labor of love for you -- and I hope the finances work too (!)
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Also, I am impressed at how you've adapted the full route planner into a mobile-friendly website.
Editing routes on mobile is (I think) impossible on RWGPS, and cumbersome/infuriating on Komoot (for me).
I feel the pain when I'm in regions without cycle.travel map support 😂 😭
Really glad you like the changes! There was a comment on Bluesky/Twitter about what would happen if cycle.travel did a Komoot and cut 75% of its staff. Might be painful…
In the next version of the iOS app, which should be along in a few days, you’ll be able to long-press on the routes button and select ‘Reload current route’ which should make the active route issue easier. I’ve also tweaked the behaviour of the ‘puck’ which shows your current position.
Roundabouts need a bit of an overhaul – I was very aware while cycling in France last month that if you mishear the voice cue (due to traffic noise) then they can be hard to follow. I’ll look into it: what I’d really like to do is announce the general direction (rather than just ‘nth exit’) but that will require a bit of surgery on the innards of the route-planning engine. Showing the exit number on-screen is a good idea.
For folder/journey management, I’ve been trying to make it so that you don’t need to dip across to the separate journey quite so often. You can now move, rename and delete directly from the routes list within the map. I think it still needs a few tweaks for mobile screens but it’s mostly there!
Thanks Richard - those upcoming app changes sound good. Long presses are not really discoverable, but at least I will know it's there 😉
A schematic clock-face image of the roundabout, à la Apple Maps, would be super, but I can imagine it's complex even if extraneous exits are omitted from the schematic.
Website folder navigation: