ADVENTURE CYCLING ASSOCIATION MAPS

Rather than plotting a route from scratch Dave and I decided to purchase several sections of the Adventure Cycling Association's Route Network. We came across the ACA website during our initial research and were impressed by the quality and variety of different routes. Reviews of the maps were also excellent.

Having received the maps and started plotting out the final route we can safely say that we are incredibly happy with the quality and thoroughness of the maps.

Each route is split up in several sections and each section has its own A2 size map. As you can see on the right, each section is then divided up into up to 15 smaller map panels that are printed on one side of the sheet.

Each map panel represents a distance of 24 miles and shows the location of a number campsites, hotels, restaurants and points of interest. Although the map is hard to read in some of the more urban areas, most of the time a supplementary zoomed in section is added on the panel to show a more detailed view. In addition to this, all of the roads you need are fully labelled and stars are used to indicate a change from one road to another.

Where possible the route attempts to take diversions from the main highways onto smaller, and hopefully, less traffic-dense roads. Often these roads run parallel and are only a stones throw away from the main highways.

 

On the other side of the sheet there is a large amount of useful information. This includes information on climate, elevation, local culture and history, useful numbers,  local amenities (hotels, motels, campsites, restaurants and other points of interest) and a summary of the route covered in that map section.

This section is brilliant as it contains an invaluable summary of all the information you need when cycling through the region.

With the ACA route setions you get not only a map but elevation and climate information, travel directories and a guide book all rolled into one.