New Google Maps feature

You can now drag and drop routes on Google maps directions to alter them - looks pretty handy for planning little cycle trips. I've been trying it out - very smooth.

I've been checking out the streetview thing they have on googlemaps US, now that is cool..

http://www.cyclelicio.us/2007/06/googlemaps-streetview-contest.html and take a look at the comments.

Fuck! Imagine all the awesome hidden skate spots that are gonna get discovered now. Amazing.

That's really cool, I wish they had that on the UK one. Being able to alter google maps directions is good, I like to know how many miles I do!

The google map thing isn't perfect though. Doesn't take into account one-ways and can be a PITA to get it to take the path you want.
Using http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/ you can manually plot the route. It's not as quick but it's more accurate.

yeah the pedometer is v. good

use it all the time for plotting mileages, every mile= 20p tax free ;)

It's easier to just claim a monthly travel card (Z 123) and not worry about bike mileage.
Wonder what my distances are like now. Methinks 18-20k each way.. 25mi per day.. £5 per day.
Monthly travel card is about £105 which is.. damn! less. Looks like my new cycle commute is now worth charging rather than a travel card.

Actually, that doesn't take into account not riding to work on weekends.. hmm

RPM: How are you allowed to work out your distances? Will google maps suffice or can you only claim 'as the crow flies' or can you take huge loops out of the city and claim that too? Ride to Canterbury was a commute? ;)

to and from place of work. genuine route, not as the crow flies. as the crow flies stingy.

work related rides (errands outside normal commute, of which there are a lot), however, are not allowed.

it's all a big fat grey area.
and in need of updating.

for instance, a company can claim back all expenses on motor vehicles, cost, fuel etc..everything.

SO, we should be able to claim bike costs, repairs, associated purchases AND mileage!

That's one reason I don't feel guilty claiming monthly travel cards if they're more..

RPM to and from place of work. genuine route, not as the crow flies. as the crow flies stingy.

work related rides (errands outside normal commute, of which there are a lot), however, are not allowed.

it's all a big fat grey area.
and in need of updating.

for instance, a company can claim back all expenses on motor vehicles, cost, fuel etc..everything.

SO, we should be able to claim bike costs, repairs, associated purchases AND mileage!

there's some cycling scheme that allows you employer to buy the bike for you( with your cash) so you don't have to pay vat and the rest of the bollocks.

cycle2work, it's called.

But only some employers offer it and they go through particular bike shops - I think one of the guys here is trying to start it up and he's going through Evans.
If I find out I can score a cheap bike I'd still do it though. Not heard anything for ages though.

Yep they do the cycle2work scheme where I work. I haven't used it but it is pretty popular. Quite a lot of the non-mainstream bike shops / companies are getting involved so you're not stuck just with Evans any more... For instance on-one/PlanetX can do you a cycle2work bike (they go via Halfords, not sure how that works).

This is the link my workplace sent around:
http://www.evanscycles.com/ride2work.jsp?item_id=430

Mmmmm one of those carbon framed planet-x bikes would be sweet to ride to work on :)

I know it's not fixed or one of the most "pretty" bikes but it looks fassssssst. The wheels look quite horrible, though.

You can get those ^^ as an ss version.

I prefer this: http://www.planet-x-bikes.com/HiResBikeShots/planet-x126.JPG

Yeah, that is nicer. The frame looks more rounded and softer. Planet-X wheels look horrible, though. I like these:

Meh, personally I'd never buy a bike like that as a ss or fg. They're designed to go bloody fast on roads, and to set it up as a ss/fg would be to waste it's capacity.

thread dredge alert

Just seen this on the register http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/03/10/google_maps_bikes/

US only though, I think

...bike directions for 150 U.S. cities and 12,000 miles of Rails to Trails Conservancy data going live.

http://gigaom.com/2010/03/09/google-maps-adds-biking-directions/

Only US at the moment but you would think that London would be pretty high on the list if they were to bring it to Europe.

I guess it would be harder here though because of the maze of little streets etc.

tfl.gov.uk does a fine job for London streets

Yes US only, just thought it could be useful once it gets the EU and UK.
its all about OSM and cyclestreets.net for me anyway.

Found these..

YouTube- Biking Directions on Google Maps