Trail Router
Consumer and social
running route planner
SHOW HN2020
402points
128comments
#86of 3,028 in 2020
Top 3%of 2020 by points
How HN took it
MixedNo clear lean
23 positive, 24 neutral or asking, 1 mixed, 14 critical, out of 62 comments about the project. Thread score +0.18.
Execution: 9 for, 11 againstPerformance: 5 for, 2 againstIdea: 3 for, 0 againstDesign: 1 for, 1 againstDocs: 2 for, 0 against
The thread, comment by comment
Each row is a top-level comment and its replies, in HN's order. Select a cell to open that comment on HN.
positive neutral or mixed critical about another commenter or something else the maker
What HN said
What people liked
Routes are good and avoid busy streets
From 2 comments
Nice job, the algorithm is really effective! I tried this in multiple cities where it ended up recommending very similar routes to some of my established running routes, and even…
chrisdalke on HNWow, I'm actually impressed by how good the results were, I was not honestly expecting it! Lots of kudos! From the clean map interface and Strava heatmaps to defaulting to metric…
caiobegotti on HN
Clean interface and useful elevation profile
From 2 comments
Wow, I'm actually impressed by how good the results were, I was not honestly expecting it! Lots of kudos! From the clean map interface and Strava heatmaps to defaulting to metric…
caiobegotti on HNThis is awesome! I've tried it on a few areas that I know well, and it really did a good job. I really love running in new places as a way to explore my area as well as when I…
ak217 on HN
Objections
Routes can cross closed gates or poorly maintained trails
From 1 comment
This is pretty cool, but there are definitely routes that pop up quickly that cross closed gates and trails that are not in good repair. I'd consider these to be good "Beta"…
ogre_codes on HN
Map data gaps in some rural or local areas
From 3 comments
I live in a small town that is getting grown over by suburbia. The routes ignore all the nice open farm fields to the east of me, and runs me down the busiest streets through…
codingdave on HNLove the idea especially for when on holidays or in another town! I live I a very green environment and the maps generated are quite often 'wrong', that is not even near the…
wjnc on HNLooks interesting. It missed the multi-use trail that wraps around the area where I live - though its not on google maps either.
annoyingnoob on HN
Routes sometimes use unsafe roads without sidewalks
From 2 comments
Ha, it makes the same route planning mistake I did years ago when I was in Rome. I was staying near the Colosseum and for one of my runs, thought I’d run on the Appia Antica,…
js2 on HNAllowing users to flag unsafe portions sounds like a good work-around. FWIW, I'm looking at the routes it's planning from my home and they aren't safe. It's sending me down…
js2 on HN
Requests
Sync routes to Garmin, Suunto or other watches and apps
From 2 comments
Looks interesting! Have you considered providing a way to sync routes directly to Running watches?
lostpixel on HNI actually have. Watch this space - there should be direct route syncing to Garmin and Suunto before terribly long. In the meantime, you can export routes to GPX/KML files already.
samcrawford on HN
Parking lot or park-entrance start point option
From 1 comment
Nice job, the algorithm is really effective! I tried this in multiple cities where it ended up recommending very similar routes to some of my established running routes, and even…
chrisdalke on HN
Cycling support
From 2 comments
Thanks! Cycling is on the to-do list. But I'm conscious it probably wouldn't just be a single category - there would need to be separation for road cycling and mountain biking.…
samcrawford on HNId want this but for bicycles.
sandos on HN
Questions
How the map centres on user location before permission is given
From 2 comments
I just loaded this and the map was centered on my house before I gave access to my location. I'm using current Firefox. Anyone know how that would happen?
jwineinger on HNIt uses geoIP data from Maxmind to approximately locate users even before they provide location information. It's not usually _that_ accurate though. It's just intended to get a…
samcrawford on HN
How to fix OpenStreetMap data for local trails
From 2 comments
Love the idea especially for when on holidays or in another town! I live I a very green environment and the maps generated are quite often 'wrong', that is not even near the…
wjnc on HNThanks! My suggestion would to start out by checking out your area on openstreetmap.org for two things: Firstly to check to see if the trail you refer to is shown (it should show…
samcrawford on HN
Alternatives named
Strava Route Planner and heatmaps
From 2 comments
This is awesome! I've tried it on a few areas that I know well, and it really did a good job. I really love running in new places as a way to explore my area as well as when I…
ak217 on HNLove the idea. Great blog posts as well. This one alone https://trailrouter.com/blog/how-trail-router-works/ would have taken you several hours to write!
e15ctr0n on HN
Footpath Route Planner
From 1 comment
Ha, it makes the same route planning mistake I did years ago when I was in Rome. I was staying near the Colosseum and for one of my runs, thought I’d run on the Appia Antica,…
js2 on HN
OsmAnd
From 1 comment
Thanks for the tip about Osmand, I'll check that out. If you're referring to the Garmin Connect Courses API…
samcrawford on HN