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Strengths of this bike maps 11 to 34
Level biking versus biking in hilly and mountainous terrain
All maps are based on an efficient selection of suitable green, quiet and hardened roads and paths.
With these criteria, and in the predominantly flat plains of Flanders and the Netherlands, we planned cycle routes as interconnected loops. Internally these loops are augmented by quiet connection roads. Thus we have a general cycle path network of loops and connection roads.
Within this network, biking on level cycle paths is comparatively easy. Finding such suitable cycle paths in areas with a more pronounced relief requires a different approach.
In hilly and mountainous terrain like the Ardennes or the Eifel, we have therefore chosen direct cycle paths following disused railroad tracks, rivers and canals. These trunk routes are augmented by suitable connection roads. Here we have a general cycle path network built from trunk routes and connection roads.
This approach provides an excellent selection of attractive level and safe cycle paths particularly suited for families with children. More adventurous men or sportive ladies on trekking bikes, mountain bikers, racers and bikers who love to climb or descend, could use cycle paths following suitable connection roads. Locally, special circuits for walkers and joggers can also be found. Touring motorbikers (Vespa riders), car drivers and oldtimer fans could also use the connection roads, provided they stay within the 50 km/h limit.
Extremely cycle-friendly cartography
The reproduction of the relief with contour lines in colour, the special cartographic display, the very precise reproduction of geographic features, the inclusion of regional and cultural-historical elements, etc. allow the reading, understanding and assessment of the landscape. The map, e.g., gives one at a glance, an almost intuitive idea that a cycle path is going uphill or downhill and of its rating of difficulty.
The inclusion of street names and the detailed scale of the map (1:50000,1cm map = 500m landscape) support easy referencing.
Covering the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Luxembourg and Germany uniform types of maps are at hand. Concept, lay-out and legend of all maps in this area of many borders are identical.
Orientation posts
In some countries or regions local networks of cycle paths have been developed and are signposted using numbering systems. Despite their mixed quality we indicate these signposts and the connotated cycle paths as secondary information for cyclists in our maps.
North-South long distance cycle routes
Precise coverage of great numbers of interconnected cycle routes running throughout a series of maps is an absolute must for long distance cyclists. There is e.g. a cycle route starting in Aachen, leading through the northern and southern Eifel to Trier, and along the Moselle ending in Metz. From there one could follow selective connection roads leading to Verdun and Reims. For the return trip different North-South routes are available, which could be shortened or lengthened as desired by the cyclist.
On the website www.fietskaart.be there is information on all maps required for the various North-South routes.
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