Christina Path – Historical cycle route Osnabrück-Antwerp
Tips for node-to-node cycling
Nodes. Navigating via nodes is preferred by many touring cyclists. As long as the signs are where they should be – now and than something goes wrong -, you don’t have to look anything up during the ride to complete the route you have chosen.
The node numbers of the Christinapad are neatly listed on the route page at the top of the route description. You can print out or copy those numbers and attach the paper (behind foil against the rain) to your handlebars.
Node maps and route instructions. You will probably also want to take one or more maps with you on the way showing the route and the nodes. The map on the route page does not show nodes, but you can print node maps yourself from a computer/laptop with a printer. Click on ‘Download/Print’ under ‘Route details’. You can then download a complete road book under the ‘Print’ option, which includes the entire route with nodes, node maps and detailed route instructions. You can make various choices, such as horizontal or vertical, number of maps per page and level of detail. (For some of these choices, RouteYou charges a fee or you must have a paid RouteYou account, but the free options are sufficient to get you on the way.) You will usually not drive the entire route in one go. Print what you need from the road book. Not only the maps, but also the accompanying route instructions.
Please note: it is not recommended to use the print option ‘node strip’. RouteYou itself warns that this option does not work well. You don’t need this strip either. You can easily print or copy the node numbers from the route page onto one sheet and in the detailed route instructions the numbers with the distances in between return.
Node map online. If you don’t have a printer at your disposal, or if you prefer to use your phone or tablet to navigate, you can consult the node map of the Christinapad here directly on the Routeyou website. (Zoom in sufficiently to make the node numbers visible on the map.)
By the way, when using a smartphone or tablet, it is even more convenient to use the Routeyou app. Read more about extra navigation options below.
Advanced navigation with smartphone or tablet. For different reasons you might want to have the route at hand in digital form. This is quite possible with the help of advanced GPS systems, but you can also get a long way with your smartphone.
It has to be considered, that digital navigation does have some disadvantages. For example, while cycling you are constantly distracted by a device on your handlebars. Moreover that device threatens to fail after a while due to lack of energy. It is exactly for reasons like that, why the node-to-node system is a safe and clear alternative.
However, a digital version of the route can be useful. For example, if you unexpectedly get lost, it is quite useful to see on your phone where you are in relation to the route. If you want to use these possibilities, the free RouteYou app is the most suitable. Install this app (from Google Play or App Store) on the smartphone or tablet you want to use to navigate.
When the app is installed on your phone or tablet, there are two options:
– You are already exploring the Christinapad on this smartphone or tablet. Then click on the button ‘Download/Print’ at the top of the ‘Route details’. If all goes well, the stage will now be opened by the RouteYou app. Click on ‘Start route’ to navigate.
– You want to transfer the Christinapad from your computer to your phone or tablet to navigate. In that case, point the camera of your smartphone or tablet at the QR code of the route data of the Christinapad below. The route data will be detected and you can have it opened by the RouteYou app. Click on ‘Start route’ to navigate. (NB. The QR code is of course also useful for transferring the route data from one smartphone/tablet to other ones.)
PLEASE NOTE THAT NAVIGATION ON A SMARTPHONE OR TABLET CONSUMES A LOT OF POWER! There is a big chance that you will not make it to the end of the stage if the route is on all the time and the battery is not charged during the ride. More about that below.
Useful extras of the RouteYou app:
Offline navigation. When the app has opened the Christinapad, you will see the buttons ‘Start route’ and ‘Offline’ at the bottom. If you choose ‘Offline’, the route will be downloaded to your device. If you now put your device offline (via ‘Settings/Airplane mode’), you can navigate offline by pressing the ‘Start route’ button. If you want to call up a saved stage for offline navigation later, open the RouteYou app and choose ‘Downloaded routes’.
Language selection. You can choose from six languages, just like on this website: English, Dutch, German, Italian, Spanish, French. Make sure your device is online. Open the RouteYou app and click on ‘Profile’. Go to ‘App settings’ and choose the desired language. The route instructions and information about attractions are now displayed in the selected language. (Please note: you cannot change the language of previously saved routes for offline navigation with this. To change the language, you will have to download the route again in the desired language.)
More info about the use of your smartphone or tablet as navigation device on the website of RouteYou.
Also important: the information on RouteYou about battery life of smartphones. (The information is related to the mobile website [PWA] of RouteYou, but it is also in force for navigation with the RouteYou app.)
Other systems for navigation. RouteYou is connective with several other systems and devices. On the route-page click on the ‘Download/Print button at the top of the ‘Route details’. The menu offers a list of devices and systems. Learn more about it by clicking the options.
Working with the route on RouteYou. You can explore the Christina Path also directly on the RouteYou website.
The mobile website (PWA) of RouteYou for smartphones and tablets may be helpful with searching and navigating. More information on RouteYou.