I make fairly intensive use of the Strava map function to plan cycling routes, and while many aspects are great (crowdsourcing popular routes especially) I have a growing list of things I think could make route planning better. I’d be interested in hearing other people’s views…and am hoping Strava can do something with the thoughts below.

Including major road names/numbers as standard on the Strava map would be a good addition, especially when route planning in an unfamiliar area. It helps to know you’re not inadvertently planning a route down the local bypass.

it would also be really helpful if the Strava map you use for route planning showed your favourited segments on it. Case in point, from time to time I try to get real about tackling some proper (uk) hills. The top 100 climbs app lets you access all of these as segments in Strava, but trying to plan a route involving one or more of these still involves you first memorising where they appear on the map and then plotting your route through them. There must be an easier way…

Finally as a 95% road cyclist I spend most of time on road routes. Discovering that I’ve just inadvertently planned a full-on gravel route on my precious road bike isn’t the best (although maybe the solution is just to have a gravel bike). In the  meantime, it would be good if the  paved roads only function could be extended to your own route planning, not just Strava’s automated route planning.

That’s my wish list right now. What do other people think?