If you also want to create a gpx file of the route for a navigation device then follow the instructions below.
1. If you do not already have the map open then open your web browser and search for ‘google my maps’ (see Route Creation Seven).
2. On the next screen locate the map you wish to create the gpx for and click on the image icon to open it (see Route Creation Eight).
3. Click on the ‘Share’ icon (see Route Creation Ten).
4. On the next screen right click the highlighted URL link and select ‘Copy’ from the popup menu (see Route Creation Eleven). Then click ‘Change’ and on the next screen change the access rights to ‘Anyone with the link’ and click ‘Save’ (see Route Creation Twelve). This is important otherwise in the next steps you will get an error. Then click ‘Done’ (see Route Creation Eleven).
5. Go to www.gpsvisualizer.com/convert_input?convert_output=gpx and paste the URL link address where it says ‘provide the URL of a file on the Web’, tick GPX and click the Convert button (see Route Creation Thirteen).
NB. If you would like elevation details for your route, before you click Convert click the little arrow by ‘add DEM elevation data’ and select ‘from best available source’.
6. Once the route has been converted click the download link and save as [filename].gpx (see Route Creation Fourteen). Remember to call the file something more convenient than the name automatically allocated to it, eg ‘end to end – Day 1’ If you forget when you download it then go to the file location and rename it before creating any more routes otherwise you’ll never tell them apart.
7. If you have added elevation data you can return to www .gpsvisualizer and under ‘Map this data’ click ‘elevation profile’. This will provide you with a graph of the route profile. You can download this or print it direct. I would advocate downloading it because this will give you the opportunity to manipulate the image if you want to.
You should now have your route saved as a Google My Map with printable route directions and a gpx file ready to upload to your gps unit, using whatever software the manufacturer recommends. I have a Garmin and I copy the files direct to the unit by attaching it via a USB port and using Windows Explorer. There is a GPX folder and I simply copy them into it.
Kickstart your Land’s End to John O’Groats planning
Everything you need to know to get you started on your Lands End to John O Groats adventure is contained within these three books: a How To, a detailed account of riding the Google Map route for LEJOG and a ‘safe’ Route Book using GPX files.
Click the image above for free samples.
Available as electronic or paperback books from as little as £2.99 each or get all 3 for the price of 2 through this site for only £5.98. That’s less than an inner tube or a Costa coffee with a slice of cake.
Where to next?
The most popular pages on the site concern planning your End to End, including training for long distance cycling, thinking about the cycling equipment you will need, how to look after your bike, what you should be eating and drinking whilst cycling and how to create a route for Lands End to John O’Groats. Or you can read my own account of cycling End to End to get some idea of what to expect.