A COMPLETE GUIDE ON USING OFFLINE MAP FOR CYCLING AND NOT GETTING LOST
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Getting lost while cycling
Getting lost while cycling
One of the major complain in the recently completed KORA 2023 was that the route was not marked properly or there were not enough volunteers to guide the route. This is a quite normal from the point of view of the organizer as due to the distance it is difficult to mark or put volunteer in every junction. As a long time KORA rider it is an obvious problem which I get around by using a offline map and track route.
Apps for offline route tracking
Apps for offline route tracking
There are obviously many maps mostly paid and few free apps which does this task but in this guide we will be using Organic Maps app and keeping track of the route during the ride. The advantage of Organic Maps over other apps is it uses vector maps based on OpenStreetMap. As a result the size of map downloads are low and if you ever get lost you can find the route to nearest landmark without being online.
This is a simple guide of using Organic Maps which is a completely free and offline app. I am in no way related to or promoting the app. I am just sharing this as a suggestion so that you can enjoy your ride. Previously I use to recommend Maps.me but the program is now full of ads.
Before I began I would like to point out why I don't use Google Maps. Google maps doesn't allow us to load tracks shared by other and although offline map is possible it cannot find the route while offline
1. Installing Organic Maps
1. Installing Organic Maps
Download and install Organic Maps from play store. Use this link. It is also available in App store.
Give the location permission to the app
Open the app and download the offline map relevant to you. For saving space maps are divided into 4 categories for Nepal.
Kathmandu (Kathmandu Valley)
Eastern Nepal
Central Nepal (excluding Kathmandu)
Western Nepal
Due to the maps being in vector format, maps are less than 200MB
Once downloaded the offline map will available forever. From time to time there will be updates to the maps as you can expect
Screenshot 1: Download the map for the region you live in. The app will ask you to download one when you zoom in the area
Screenshot 2: Click on direction arrow to go to your present location
3. Using Organic Maps
3. Using Organic Maps
The main interface opens in the map
Here you can click on the Direction arrow to go to your present location.
On the bottom left there is the Search button just don't expect google level search.
The star represents Bookmark tool which is where the routes and location you have downloaded or created resides.
Pretty soon you will get used to the app.
4. Loading the routes on Organic Maps
4. Loading the routes on Organic Maps
Get or Create (discussed later) the route track in .kml format for the location you are riding.
Organic Maps currently does not support .gpx files. If you have received .gpx file convert it to kml using the this site or you can use Google Earth (refer screenshot below)
Send the kml file to the mobile and open it with 'Organic Maps'
Now you can check your location with respect to the route. If you get lost you can select the nearest point on the track and use the route function to
Screenshot 3: Once the track has been downloaded you can view the highlighted route in the map. If you get lost you can select the nearest point on the track and use the route function to find the shortest route
Screenshot 4: If you have downloaded more than 1 routes use the bookmark on the bottom to turn on or off the desired route
5. Making your own route map in KML format
5. Making your own route map in KML format
You can make your own route map. Refer the video below
6. Try this KORA route of your location
6. Try this KORA route of your location
5. Converting .gpx files to kml via Google Earth
5. Converting .gpx files to kml via Google Earth
Sometimes an organizer may share the route map in gpx format. In such case use Google earth to convert the route to kml
Screenshot 5: The best way to convert gpx to kml is through Google Earth. You can remove unnecessary points via google earth. For example, I have loaded the file and it contained lots of track point but I will be selecting just the route and save it to kml by right clicking and selecting Save Place As.. while choosing KML.If you turn on the terrain you can veiw the elevation of the route you are going to travel.
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