WHAT IS BRITISH CYCLING MAPPING?

British Cycling Mapping aims to help all cyclists get the most out of their riding. Everyone can access our Taster level which offers around 80 British Cycling Approved routes to view and the ability to map routes using Google Maps. British Cycling members can view GB Rider routes, over 300 British Cycling Approved routes plus create, edit, save, upload routes to GPX, rate and share routes. All British Cycling members have free access to 1:50 scale Ordnance Survey maps covering the UK too.

To find out how to join British Cycling for just £24 and all the great benefits you receive click here.

HOW DO I FIND A ROUTE?

In the navigation bar select ‘Browse Routes’ to search for a route. This opens the database of great routes of which you can do a ‘Simple’ search by location, distance from your home,  level and route type. If you want to search in more detail there is an ‘Advanced’ filter which includes topography, rating, distance and climb. Then press ‘GO’.

Once you have found a route – click the route ‘icon’ or ‘Route Name’ in the search results to view. Don’t forget you can order your search results using the ‘Sort By’ box above the results table. There is a only a limited number of routes viewable for non-members.

HOW DO I START PLOTTING MY OWN ROUTE?

In the navigation bar select ‘Create Route’ to start plotting a new route. Type in the location or post code of where you want your route to start and click ‘GO’. Click on the point on the Google map that you want your route to start and commence your route. You are provided with the option of zooming in and out of the map, amend the route, extend the route and delete either your last point of last section. Your will be able to add information points as you go. Once you are happy with the route select ‘Save’. British Cycling Members can create and save an unlimited number of rides. If you are not already a British Cycling Member you will be able to save 3 routes.

HOW DO I MAP AN OFF ROAD ROUTE?

Auto-routing is the default setting, if you want to map an off-road route you will need to select ‘Manual Route’ which you’ll find on the right hand side of the screen. Once you’ve completed your off-road section, switch to ‘Auto Route Shortest’ to continue your route along roads. If you’re a British Cycling member, the 1:50 scale Ordnance Survey view will also help when mapping an off-road route.

HOW DO I VIEW THE MAPS IN ORDNANCE SURVEY?

On the right hand side of the map you’ll find an icon entitled ‘Switch to Ordnance Survey View’ - click this icon and the map will automatically switch to Ordnance Survey. Click the same icon to go back to the Google Map view.

HOW CAN I ACCESS 1:25 SCALE ORDNANCE SURVEY MAPS?

All British Cycling members have access to Ordnance Survey 1:50 scale mapping. As a member, you also have the opportunity to access to maps in greater detail on a 1:25 scale Ordnance Survey map. It’s perfect for off road riders or for those wanting to see more information on their maps across the UK. It costs just £20 a year for Gold Members and £25 a year for all other British Cycling members. Simply see the difference yourself and upgrade now on the mapping tab of your British Cycling dashboard.
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WHAT ABOUT THE NATIONAL CYCLING NETWORK?

In the top right hand corner of the Google Map there are a series of other mapping options. Click on ‘Open Cycle Map’ to view the National Cycling Network which will help you to map along this network of routes.

CAN I USE DIFFERENT MAPPING SOURCES TO PLOT A ROUTE?

Yes – this is one of the great features of British Cycling Mapping! You can switch between Google (map and satellite view), Open Street Map, Open Cycle Map and Ordnance Survey as you plot your route.

CAN I IMPORT A ROUTE FROM MY GPS DEVICE?

British Cycling members will be able to import a route from their GPS devices by selecting ‘Import GPX File’ this is the third option on the ‘Create Route’ page. This option will allow you to access the great routes you have ridden before.

HOW DO I MAKE THE MAP BIGGER?

On the right hand side of the screen there are options to ‘Hide’ the ride details and elevation chart. Use these functions to maximise the size of the map on your screen. To see all the details again, select ‘Show’.

HOW CAN I EDIT, RATE AND SHARE ROUTES?

We want to share our expertise with everyone, which is why anyone can view a sample of British Cycling Approved routes and map their own rides too. Editing, saving, rating and sharing routes plus access to Ordnance Survey maps, which provide much greater detail, is reserved exclusively for British Cycling members. It's our way of saying thank you to those who support all the great work we do for cycling in the UK.

You can join British Cycling from just £24 a year. In addition to having access to all the functionality that British Cycling Mapping has to offer, you'll also be covered with liability insurance, which protects you in the event of an accident and you'll save ££'s on cycling kit from wiggle and Halfords and on top cycling magazines. To find out more click here or click here to join.

WHAT INFORMATION DO I NEED TO PROVIDE TO SAVE MY ROUTE?

If you are choosing to share your route with other British Cycling members you will need to give your route a name, select a route ‘Type’ and ‘Bike Suitability’. If however, you wish to keep your route private, you will only have to provide a route name.

HOW DO I PRINT A ROUTE?

British Cycling members will be able to print routes by selecting ‘Print’ on the upper right hand side of the screen. This will provide you with a range of printing options and a print preview.

HOW DO I DOWNLOAD A ROUTE ONTO MY GPS DEVICE?

British Cycling members will be able to download the route onto their GPS devices by selecting ‘Download GPX’ on the upper right hand side of the screen. This will provide you with access to great routes on the go.

WHAT IS A BRITISH CYCLING APPROVED ROUTE?

British Cycling Approved routes are routes which our cycling experts have ridden, risk assessed and rated themselves. They are designed to give you peace of mind that they are tried and tested. Look out for the British Cycling Approved stamp.

WHAT IS A GB RIDER ROUTE?

A GB Rider route is a route used frequently and recommended by one of our very own members of the GB Cycling Team – something no other mapping tool is able to provide! Look out for regular updates as we build up the collection of our GB Rider routes.

HOW ARE THE ROUTE LEVELS DEFINED?

Our maps are rated Easy, Steady, Tough or Epic. The rating is based on a combination of route type, distance, total climbing and single climb limit.

HOW DO I VIEW ROUTES I HAVE MAPPED MYSELF?

Select ‘My Routes’ in the navigation bar. This will provide access to your mapping dashboard where you will be able to view all the routes you have mapped.

HOW DO I CHANGE BETWEEN MILES & KILOMETRES?

Select ‘My Routes’ in the navigation bar. Here you will be able to set your preferences of not only miles or kilometres but also metres and feet for elevations and climb statistics.

HOW DO I VIEW ROUTES I HAVE RIDDEN BEFORE?

You can add routes to a favourites list which you’ll find in your mapping dashboard. This will provide instant access to your chosen routes in the future. Find the route you like and select ‘Add To Favourites’ on the right hand side of the screen above the map.

HOW LONG WILL THE ROUTE TAKE ME TO RIDE?

You can look at your chosen route in more detail by using the ‘Time/Speed’ Calculator on the right hand side of the screen. All you need to do is input the average speed you will travel and the duration will be calculated automatically. Alternatively, if you know how long you want the ride to take, input  your chosen time in hours and minutes and we will tell you how fast (average speed) you’ll need to travel to achieve your planned duration.

I WANT TO REPORT AN INAPPROPRIATE ROUTE?

British Cycling Mapping relies on its members to report routes that are inappropriate for whatever reason. If you have seen something inappropriate or have a query with a specific route please report this immediately by clicking the ‘Report’ tab and select one of the various reasons or type your own. This could be that it goes over private property or has inappropriate route details or route type classification, etc.

IT'S NOT WORKING, WHAT SHOULD I DO?

We're sorry you're experiencing difficulty using British Cycling Mapping. Everyone can access a sample of British Cycling Approved routes and can plot their own routes in Google maps. To edit, save, create, upload, rate and share maps and to see the Ordinance Survey maps at a 1:50 scale, you must be a British Cycling member and must be logged in.

If you are a member and you're not sure how to log in click here or email membership@britishcycling.org.uk.

If you're still having problems use the ‘Feedback’ button at the top of the mapping tool and send us your query.