Designating Route Intersections

Over here in Routes & Mapping, we're hip deep in the process of producing Adventure Cycling's newest route, the Sierra Cascades Bicycle Route (maps available in April).

As I work, I am reminded that much of the first section of the Sierra Cascades shares mileage with two other routes within the Adventure Cycling Route Network: Washington Parks and Northern Tier. Surprisingly, for all the miles we have mapped -- we'll be over 40,000 once the Sierra Cascades is published -- there are not many places of repetition, but multiple points of intersection.

Is this a good or a bad thing? Sometimes I think it's more confusing than anything else. However, we attempt to alleviate confusion by showing the concurrent routing on our Route Network overview map (pdf, 648k) as parallel lines. And, on the map panels themselves, we point out the specific spot where routes intersect or share routing as depicted in the graphic below.

Let's say you want to mix it up and design a loop tour in Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana using the Great Rivers, Underground Railroad, and Southern Tier routes. On the map panels where these routes intersect, you will find a box and pointer showing you the location of the intersection. This is your signal to trade out the map in your hand for the one referred to in the text before you.

By calling attention to these details, we hope to make your map reading and planning experience a little easier.



--

GEOPOINTS BULLETIN is written by Jennifer 'Jenn' Milyko, an Adventure Cycling cartographer, and appears weekly, highlighting curious facts, figures and persons from Adventure Cycling's Route Network with tips and hints for personal route creation thrown in for good measure.