Trip Planning, not routing

[Don Stauffer]

Hi folks:

I've been an enthusiastic user of MRA for several years. I think that as a routing tool it does everything that I need extremely well. The interface is simple, powerful and intuitive, at least for me. I saw that additional talent is being added to help develop the next version of the Routing App / website, so I thought I would comment now. To clarify, I export my MRA routes to a Garmin Zumo XT, so I have not used the navigation app.

I generally spend a lot more time researching and planning a trip than I do actual routing. I'm trying to avoid a specific discussion of POI's or Favorites, as I'm not focusing on implementation. Also, my case may not be typical, as my wife and I are retired, and most of our motorcycle trips are 1 to 5 weeks duration.

At this time I'm planning two trips, one in the UK and one here in the US. My planning process generally has the same work flow, and requires at least one external application, in my case I use Trello. It's a project planning and collaboration tool, based on a task board with lists.

I first look for several alternative destinations in each area, identifying lodging, food and attractions in that area. For each potential stop, I make note of location, hours of operation, cost, and other factors that would influence my decision. On a two week trip last year through Canada and the eastern US, I probably had 50 potential stops in my Trello board that turned into 10 routing points. It's always the same criteria, reasonable lodging with a friendly pub within walking distance.

I do think this kind of info could be incorporated into a MRA feature, such as POI. It would require a big change to the function, as a lot text and hyperlinks would need to be stored. I find that I seldom use the included POI feature, as a map becomes quickly cluttered with POI icons. I generally use Google Maps instead to identify businesses in the area. A dynamic link in the Google Map overlay would also be useful, but that's a different discussion.

If I find a wonderful location, I'd always like to go back that place, making it a 'Favorite'. But I would still like to keep the info that I collected in the planning process, such as hours of operation, etc.

Thanks for building such a great application, and I truly admire the close communication you maintain with your customers. It's not easy, I know!

[Corjan Meijerink]

@Don-Stauffer Thanks for the elaborate suggestion!
I've forwarded it for discussion

[Don Stauffer]

@Corjan-Meijerink Thanks for that, Corjan! I'd be happy to do any beta testing if you decide to move forward with this type of feature. There's always another trip to start planning.

I also use MRA for planning automobile trips, the fastest route is not always the best route.

Best;

Don Stauffer

[Don Stauffer]

The Google Maps interface for Saved Places has some similar functionality. The ability to enter (and hide) notes, for instance. I would like to be able to display or hide 'Saved Places' individually, as I identify a lot of potential stops. They are all saved for the next trip through the area, but don't clutter up the routing map when not needed.

Here's a typical note for lodging:

Goodview / Winona
AmericInn by Windham
303 Pelzer St, Winona, Minnesota 55987 $124 direct
(888) 312-2398

On any trip, some options will be ruled out due to cost or availability, but the info is there for the next ride. The info gets 'richer' if you visit a restaurant or stay in a motel, then update the notes - "Great Pub" or "Bedbugs". "Closed during Covid".

That's the raw material for the next trip, and it would be great to save it in MRA. And possibly share?

[Cookie On Tour]

@Don-Stauffer Hey Don, I use the MyMap feature for the same you have Trello in place. Like here. (LINK)
I would also love a better option for route planning, especially, if you do not know if you are going to a destination or not. In MRA you always have a route attached. And if you have saved your spots as POI, you couldn't display these on the map, till a few versions earlier. Since then, it has improved, you now can display custom POI, but you can't create or modify your custom POI so far (I think there is something on the roadmap to improve).
I also posted in another thread my wishes, so hopefully we will see a better planning option coming.

[Don Stauffer]

@Cookie-On-Tour Thanks, I can see that we have similar ideas for planning. I collect a lot of information for destinations that might never be added to an actual route. Trello works off-line, and synchs when a connection is available.

Your route in Nova Scotia certainly looks intriguing! We traveled from Michigan through Canada to Ottowa last year before dropping back south into the USA. Maybe we will need to press on further next time!

[Cookie On Tour]

@Don-Stauffer exactly, it's about collecting all optional things, then decide what to pick. In addition, once planned, I still love to see my other (optional) options while I am already on the trip. Maybe I change my mind while on the road or have time left to visit another spot. So not only planning, but optional spots, visible, easy to add to the route while navigation, without the need to go into the route edit mode. Kind of the way we can already add a gas station, while navigating.

[Don Stauffer]

@Cookie-On-Tour We are in total agreement about identifying possible points of interest. I often identify an early stop and late stop so that we have some motel / restaurant options already identified if we decide to re-route during the day.

I'll do ANYTHING that I can with advanced planning to avoid doing google searches at a gas station while we are traveling.