I have a number of apps I rely on for touring. Some are obvious, like Google Translate. Other apps focus on where I stay: HotelWorld, booking.com, AirBnB (to a lesser extent), iOverlander, Trivago.
I lean on OSMAnd+ (Open Street Map)— my mapping program of choice—the hardest. It works off-line. It manages the GPS chip (keeping the GPS off when I’m not using it. It includes POI (point-of-information), such as campgrounds, hostels, ATMs, and the occasional wayward submarine. I can build custom POI overlays (such as all campgrounds and hostels, or all castles and historical sites). I can overlay GPX tracks (like the EuroVelo routes).
Today I found a new plugin for OSMAnd- CyclOSM. CyclOSM is a bicycle-oriented map built on top of OpenStreetMap, aiming to provide a practical map for cyclists. The same map also lets you visualize main bicycle touring routes as well as essential POIs when touring (emergency services, shelters, tourism, shops).
CyclOSM offers three different map styles:
- The default CyclOSM style, fit for most applications and map purposes;
- The CyclOSM live style, fit for OpenStreetMap contributors (tiles are always minute updated) and available only at cyclosm.org and in contributions tools;
- The CyclOSM lite variant, meant to be used as an overlay map to turn any map style into a bike map.
In other words, you can overlay CyclOSM on top of my usual mapping setup, providing an easy-to-use display of local cycling routes and paths. Very cool.