Ramblingfatman Links

Ramblingfatman uses a host of websites for ideas, research, and planning, there’s also websites friendly to Ramblingfatman. So this page will help you explore these links, click the highlighted title to go straight to the page (each link opens new page) or copy and paste the web address from the end of each paragraph. For further information about Ramblingfatman links, please click the ‘Privacy' icon Locked at the bottom of the page and go to ‘External Links’.



Research and planning websites

Plotaroute course creator- This is the best site for plotting a route, once you get used to the site, there are so many tools for making your chosen route reality. You can download the route in any format you wish. The cycling and walking trails cover the world. I would give this site 5★. Here’s the address- https://www.plotaroute.com/routeplanner

BikeHike course creator- This website is intended for anyone wanting to create or view routes on either Google or Ordnance Survey maps. Since the Ordnance Survey maps are limited to the United Kingdom, this site is primarily intended for UK users, but I have used the single map for all of my European trips too. You can download or upload routes in ‘tcx, gpx-route, gpx-track, and gpxx-route, txt, and kml’ format. Here’s the address- http://www.bikehike.co.uk/mapview.php

Atlantikwall- If you want to ride along the beach's of Normandy, this website shows what's still left to see. The defences range from Dunkirk to Bordeaux, also the site also shows many defence establishments in Britain with airfields, radar sites and camps from Yorkshire to Cornwall. I found it best to view in the Chrome browser. Here’s the address- http://www.atlantikwall.co.uk/


Accommodation friendly to cyclists

Beds for cyclists- The site aims to make it easier to discover the UK on a bike by providing cycle friendly places to stay, and help the tourism industry advertise to cyclists. They do this by mapping accommodation providers near the National Cycle Network and most popular touring routes. Their vision is to provide the best UK cycle friendly accommodation, the first place cyclists should look for places to stay. There’s also some ideas for long distance routes. Here’s the address- https://www.beds4cyclists.com/accommodation/


Historical reference sites

Coflein Coflein- The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales has a leading national role in developing and promoting understanding of the archaeological, built and maritime heritage of Wales. The link goes to a map of Wales and when expanded to the required location will show detail you’ll never get even on Os maps. The site shows pins on the map, and once highlighted it brings you information and images of the building choosen. Here’s the address-
http://map.coflein.gov.uk/index.php?action=do_details&numlink=267324

image Historic England- are a public body that helps people care for, enjoy and celebrate England's spectacular historic environment The link goes to a map of England and when expanded to the required location will show detail you’ll never get even on Os maps. The site shows pins on the map, and once highlighted it brings you information and images of the building choosen. Here’s the address-
https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/map-search?clearresults=true

Welsh Castle Index- Wales is often called the ‘Land of Castles’ and rightly so, as it is home to some of Europe's finest surviving examples of medieval castle construction. The site covers many of the region's famous and lesser-known castles, from mighty Chepstow in southeast Wales, to picturesque Beaumaris on the Isle of Anglesey indexed from ‘A to B’. Here’s the address-
http://www.castlewales.com/listings.html


Touring Europe

Cycletourer is a massive site where a couple ride all across Europe, giving advice on each country. Their trips include; Holland, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Holland, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Sweden, UK, Hebrides, and Norway to name a few. Here’s the address- http://www.cycletourer.co.uk/index.shtml


Railways

GWR- Travelling with your bike- All the UK train companies have cycle policies and are very much the same, but with subtle differences, so it’s worth reading each specific company policy to avoid being disappointed. Here’s the address-
https://www.gwr.com/plan-journey/journey-information/on-board/cycles

Historic rail map- RailMapOnline.com provides interactive maps of past and present railways. It’s great for identifying which railway path we’re riding on, it’s this site I used to plan the Waverly line ride. Here’s the address- http://www.railmaponline.com/UKIEMap.php


Communities promoting new cycle paths

Belt The Rhondda Tunnel Society- was formed in 2014, with the vision to re-open the disused Rhondda & Swansea Bay Railway Tunnel, reconnecting the communities of the Rhondda and Afan Valleys as a pedestrian and cycling route. At two miles long, it will be the longest tunnel in Europe, second longest in the world, for Walking and Cycling! Here’s the address-
http://www.rhonddatunnelsociety.co.uk/

The Strawberry Line- The Strawberry Line Society (SLS), started the ball rolling in 1978 when they persuaded North Somerset Council to buy much of the dismantled railway line between Yatton and Axbridge and lease it to the Society as a walk and nature reserve. The Society later became a registered charity and extended the railway path to Cheddar.
http://www.thestrawberryline.org.uk/index.php?section=


Websites friendly to Ramblingfatman

Belt The Crafty Rider makes crafts, gifts, and jewellery using bike parts, both new and old - making some truly unique and environmentally friendly gifts for people who share the love of the bike. The items are lovingly handmade so if you have seen any that you would like for your home, cycle café, or place of work - in a different size, colour or design.... then please ask, and the Crafty Rider will do his best to accommodate your requests. Here’s the address- https://www.thecraftyrider.com/

image LEJOG ‘Pedalling Home’. Mid summer of 2021 four intrepid friends, set off from Land’s End in Cornwall to cycle 1,071 miles to John O’Groats on the far north-eastern tip of Great Britain. This is the first blog account of a LEJOG ride I’ve linked to, and what attracted me to it was the style of writing, the images and the raw and sporadic way they did it (I’m sure they would not be offended by that comment), they encountered many past riders of the LEJOG on their ride, and most revealed; they wish they had done the same way as these guys did (instead of head down arse up). When I recently bumped in to one of the riders a year on- he said it had its ups and downs, but most days something reminds him of the wonderful life journey they all experienced with 'Pedalling Home'. Here’s the address- https://pedallinghome.com/



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