Just got an update to OsmAnd that claims to improve cycle routing, and we tried it out riding from Rovinj to Pula, Croatia. The route it picked avoided major roads, favored signed cycling routes and roads with cycle lanes, and there are lots of options to configure route options. So far I like it and will try it out some more as we cycle through Croatia and Bosnia. OsmAnd will do cycling routes in countries where Google Maps doesn’t. Figured I’d write a quick tutorial to use the new features to plan a route and upload it to the Wahoo ELEMNT (probably works with the BOLT also).
Step 1: In OsmAnd, find the start and end points for your route. I usually add them as favorites so I can reference then easily later. Then tap the route icon and select the start and end points and choose the cycling icon.
Step 2: Tap the gear icon to set routing options. I usually turn on “avoid unpaved roads” and “avoid stairs” since we are on touring bicycles. “Use elevation data” will minimize climbing, but seems to take a lot longer to calculate.
Step 3: Wait for the route to calculate (there’s a little progress bar that will slowly move, give it time).
Step 4: Tap on the line that shows distance and time to see the route details. You’ll see some awesome stats including a new elevation and gradient profile as well as turn-by-turn directions.
Step 5: Tap the disk icon to save the route. Pick a name that’s fairly unique because it stores the GPX in a weird location and you will need to search for it later. I put the country code as the first two letters (BO for Bosnia in this example).
Step 6: Use a file manager like Total Commander to find the GPX file that was just saved.
Step 7: Copy or Move the GPX to your Download folder so that the ELEMNT app can see it. Maybe this isn’t required for everyone, but I was unable to open the GPX in the ELEMNT app without this step, I think because the ELEMNT app doesn’t have permission to read files in OsmAnd’s private directory.
Step 8: Open the GPX with the ELEMNT app and wait for it to import.
Step 9: Tap on “Select route” to begin navigation on your ELEMNT.
And that’s it! I love being able to plan routes on the fly with my Wahoo GPS, and this gives us one more option to find good routes!
All I can say is wow. Beyond my capabilities! You are indeed very talented!!!
Nice! Do you also get turn by turn navigation?
Yes, kind of. The ELEMNT shows a map with arrows overlaid so you can see which way to go.
No turn warnings?
So helpful, thanks for sharing!