Google Maps
 

is there anything better than google maps for planning a RTW trip
or am i using it wrong as it limits the amount of points you can use

I discovered that a few months ago - about 99 I think is all it will accept.
I would break your trip up into per country or one specific region if it's that detailed.
What will you do with the route once done? You may find transferring the route onto a satnav is also restricted by the number of waypoints.

Over planing.

While you may want to map out the things you want to see .. you don't need to map out each individual road, gas stop, where you'll be eating. Don't go for such detail. Just the major points.

Map each continent or country separately - thus changes can be handled more easily.

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Some GPSes have memory cards that can be swapped out. You can make one for each country if you need too - thus having all the detail you need.

Main reason for mapping was to try and work out when would i reach places like Turkey, Russia. Especially Russia as the Visa is restricted to 30 days

Hello
In remote areas check if the street from google maps matches the actual road on the satellite view.
Especially in southamerica they have staight lines over the mountains :nono:
when I use google maps I usually double the distance when I go on small roads.
Only on motorways I take the actual numbers that it gives me.
sushi

As Most of the people have said. Any journey that is well planed, I can bet by day three you will be no where near where you map at home said you would.. It's the way it work's. Best idea that work's for me is have a goal you are aiming for. Let's say Greece, Think about it how long to get there? Say three four day's. Have you first night booked. Then just make your way to your first place. Once you have arrived. Plan the next section in 3/4 day's secessions. You will find it work's.


Do the whole trip as rough way places. Then refine each section once you have done the last.
Wish you well.
John933

Thanks I understand all that and state that it is only a guide and a way of working out what dates i need for visa's. As i do not know when I will be crossing Russia. I am trying to work out so I can arrange a visa for approximately the right time.

Ok .. you need to plan on

Every 7th day no travel - do washing, shopping etc.
Time off the bike to look at things .. E.G. Athens .. may be 3 days there to see stuff!

Then travel time .. say 400 km per day. Yes you can do much much more .. but not if you take side trips, stop to look at stuff .. plan on 400 km and you'll be able to take a 400 km side trip.

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This way you'll have time to do the trip rather than a race from one place to another.

Most people will see the result as taking too much time .. so they shorten it and end up missing stuff. Miss the stuff closer to home! Much easier to get back to later and see it when time & money permit. So do the 1,000 km days for the first and last week, not in the middle of the trip.

I know it is more expensive.. But you could get a business visa.. That will allow you 90 days.. Can set the start date at the very earliest point you think you will reach Russia.. and still have plenty of time to wander about..

For planning your route, waypoints and stuff to see in one tool, you should read this topic:

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...your-rtw-77427

It allows a lot more than just planning your route. It allows to add links to each waypoint, at sample from wikipedia or tripadvisor, which you can set to private or public. Allows to discuss each waypoint using the comment function.

So you can plan your trip at sample, and show the link here at Hubb, asking for stuff to see on the route - and this way we readers can point you to stuff you can view.

This have nothing to do with overplanning. You can choose during your journey if you want to see that stuff - your decission. If you dont have planned, you not even know what stuff is arround who is worth to visit.

Surfy

Thanks I am fortunate enough that I can afford not to rush and will probably take a year out to do this trip. Avoiding motorways wherever possible. I was planning on between 200 to 300miles a day and at least 1 day off a week if not 2. I am to old to be rushing around racing from point to point.
Having never applied for a visa before How could I get a business Visa? would they not check what your business was?
And was also wondering what type of bike insurance do you need