BT 700 XL
Looking for the ultimate bikeapacking challenge in Ontario? The BT 700 XL delivers. This is a beefed up version of the BT 700 route. Riders can expect even more trail and challenging terrain. A route that certainly should not be taken lightly. A beautiful beast. Beefy bike set-ups and a gung-ho attitude are needed.
For the most part, all the route information for the BT 700 is relevant for the BT 700 XL. Just with more of a stress on the challenge of the route.
Navigation
There are TWO route files you should have downloaded for the BT 700 XL. It is advised that you have some practice using your navigation devices before heading out on the BT 700 XL especially if you haven’t navigated trails or backcountry roads before. GPS navigation is a must. It would be very hard to follow the BT 700 XL with an old-school paper map. The route can be updated or modified at any time so it's best to review the route in advance for trip planning purposes but download these files shortly before your ride so you have the most up-to-date ride file.
Please DO NOT use old route files floating around Ride with GPS from other riders or files you may have downloaded a long time ago. The links here are the current route you should be using.
Route File #1: This is a bare-bones file for navigation because devices like Garmins and Wahoos do not handle large files well and will not typically show Points of Interest properly.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/43538119
If downloading a .gpx file DO NOT click on Reduce to 500 Points. This will result if poor navigation. Here is some additional information on downloading the route to your navigation device.
You can also use this file to navigate with on your mobile phone using the Ride with GPS app. For non BT 700 club members, offline navigation is only available for those with a paid membership. However, it's best to have the files below with the Points of Interest as the ones you use on your phone with the Ride with GPS mobile app.
Some GPS navigation devices, including the Garmin eTrex, have a track-point limit to the .gpx files they can store. And some devices just don't function optimally when working with a lengthy route. For this reason, breaking up the route file into smaller segments might be necessary. Here is a tutorial on how to break up a route into two or more segments. Note that you'll first need to save the route to your own route library on Ride with GPS before splitting the route into shorter segments.
Riders have reported having some major device issues when trying to record one continuous ride during an ITT. Particularly with Wahoo devices. It is strongly recommended that you stop and save your ride occasionally and then use a program like this to combine the files post ride if you want to upload one big ride to programs like Strava.
Route File #2: These are larger files that include numerous Points Of Interest (POIs) and can be used for planning your trip and downloaded on the free Ride with GPS mobile app.
BT 700 Part One: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/41383861
BT 700 Part Two: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/41420718
I have broken down the full route into two separate parts as the mobile phone app will be less glitchy then when using smaller sized files. Simply start up part two when you have finished riding part one. To download, click on the route link while using your mobile device and it should pop up in the app, then click download. All the Points of Interest including locations for food stores, bike shops, hotels and camping areas will remain visible. Tap on a POI and the additional information will be displayed such as the opening hours for food outlets. Zoom in on a particular area of the route as some POI’s overlap and many of them are not visible when zoomed out.
Note: In the route file maps below you'll see a "send to device" on the top. Clicking this while using your mobile device will let you directly upload the route to the Ride with GPS app on your mobile device. More info on this process here.
FREE Off-line Navigation with your phone: If you become a BT 700 Bikepacking Club Member (no cost, no spam) you'll be able to download the route files using the Ride with GPS app and access it's navigational features including voice prompts. Normally, this is only available for Premium Account subscribers. All you will need is a free Ride with GPS account.
Anyone with a free or paid Ride with GPS account who clicks this link will be added to the club and automatically approved. Just click View in the Route Library and it will open up a route file that can be downloaded. Here is some more info about the benefits of being a club member.
NOTE: Before commencing on the trip make sure you have downloaded these files for Offline use. Just be aware that the download can take several minutes. it can take a long time.
Here is a good summary of the pros and cons of using a smartphone to navigate with the Ride with GPS app.
When navigating with the mobile Ride with GPS app, it’s best not to rely solely on the voice prompts as sometimes they can steer you in the wrong direction. The line on the map remains the best navigation tool.
Using both a navigation device like Garmin and the Ride with GPS mobile app when riding a route can offer a nice safety net. If one is not going well, then you have a second option for navigating.
If running the Ride with GPS mobile app as you ride you can enable Live Logging so friends and family can follow your journey in live time. This is available for Basic and Premium members. Data usage is minimal but you'll have to keep on top of your battery power.
If you run into issues downloading these files onto any of your devices let me know and I can try to provide assistance. Ride with GPS also has excellent customer support.
For the most part, all the route information for the BT 700 is relevant for the BT 700 XL. Just with more of a stress on the challenge of the route.
Navigation
There are TWO route files you should have downloaded for the BT 700 XL. It is advised that you have some practice using your navigation devices before heading out on the BT 700 XL especially if you haven’t navigated trails or backcountry roads before. GPS navigation is a must. It would be very hard to follow the BT 700 XL with an old-school paper map. The route can be updated or modified at any time so it's best to review the route in advance for trip planning purposes but download these files shortly before your ride so you have the most up-to-date ride file.
Please DO NOT use old route files floating around Ride with GPS from other riders or files you may have downloaded a long time ago. The links here are the current route you should be using.
Route File #1: This is a bare-bones file for navigation because devices like Garmins and Wahoos do not handle large files well and will not typically show Points of Interest properly.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/43538119
If downloading a .gpx file DO NOT click on Reduce to 500 Points. This will result if poor navigation. Here is some additional information on downloading the route to your navigation device.
You can also use this file to navigate with on your mobile phone using the Ride with GPS app. For non BT 700 club members, offline navigation is only available for those with a paid membership. However, it's best to have the files below with the Points of Interest as the ones you use on your phone with the Ride with GPS mobile app.
Some GPS navigation devices, including the Garmin eTrex, have a track-point limit to the .gpx files they can store. And some devices just don't function optimally when working with a lengthy route. For this reason, breaking up the route file into smaller segments might be necessary. Here is a tutorial on how to break up a route into two or more segments. Note that you'll first need to save the route to your own route library on Ride with GPS before splitting the route into shorter segments.
Riders have reported having some major device issues when trying to record one continuous ride during an ITT. Particularly with Wahoo devices. It is strongly recommended that you stop and save your ride occasionally and then use a program like this to combine the files post ride if you want to upload one big ride to programs like Strava.
Route File #2: These are larger files that include numerous Points Of Interest (POIs) and can be used for planning your trip and downloaded on the free Ride with GPS mobile app.
BT 700 Part One: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/41383861
BT 700 Part Two: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/41420718
I have broken down the full route into two separate parts as the mobile phone app will be less glitchy then when using smaller sized files. Simply start up part two when you have finished riding part one. To download, click on the route link while using your mobile device and it should pop up in the app, then click download. All the Points of Interest including locations for food stores, bike shops, hotels and camping areas will remain visible. Tap on a POI and the additional information will be displayed such as the opening hours for food outlets. Zoom in on a particular area of the route as some POI’s overlap and many of them are not visible when zoomed out.
Note: In the route file maps below you'll see a "send to device" on the top. Clicking this while using your mobile device will let you directly upload the route to the Ride with GPS app on your mobile device. More info on this process here.
FREE Off-line Navigation with your phone: If you become a BT 700 Bikepacking Club Member (no cost, no spam) you'll be able to download the route files using the Ride with GPS app and access it's navigational features including voice prompts. Normally, this is only available for Premium Account subscribers. All you will need is a free Ride with GPS account.
Anyone with a free or paid Ride with GPS account who clicks this link will be added to the club and automatically approved. Just click View in the Route Library and it will open up a route file that can be downloaded. Here is some more info about the benefits of being a club member.
NOTE: Before commencing on the trip make sure you have downloaded these files for Offline use. Just be aware that the download can take several minutes. it can take a long time.
Here is a good summary of the pros and cons of using a smartphone to navigate with the Ride with GPS app.
When navigating with the mobile Ride with GPS app, it’s best not to rely solely on the voice prompts as sometimes they can steer you in the wrong direction. The line on the map remains the best navigation tool.
Using both a navigation device like Garmin and the Ride with GPS mobile app when riding a route can offer a nice safety net. If one is not going well, then you have a second option for navigating.
If running the Ride with GPS mobile app as you ride you can enable Live Logging so friends and family can follow your journey in live time. This is available for Basic and Premium members. Data usage is minimal but you'll have to keep on top of your battery power.
If you run into issues downloading these files onto any of your devices let me know and I can try to provide assistance. Ride with GPS also has excellent customer support.
A fun map that shows you where most of the bonus "fun stuff" is found on the route. Click the Open Map tab on the map image to see everything.
