Paper maps and blatent commercialisation - Dylan's Ride Blog

I've added some links from where I mention the relevant OS map for a particular route. The link goes to Aqua3 who sell both normal paper maps and special laminated waterproof versions of each map. Why I am doing this? Well, I'll be honest, and say I make some money from each purchase, which goes towards the cost of running this site. But, if you do purchase a map this way, you'll get a discount over the regular price, so it's not a bad deal for you either. Sure, the waterproof maps are expensive, but they are worth it if you ride in all weathers.

I don't want to recommend something I wouldn't use. Even before I set up this arrangement I was a happy user of Aqa3 maps. Having destroyed many paper maps over the year, I found a waterproof map was better value. Once a paper map gets wet, the paper starts to tear at the folds, and even if you dry it out carefully, the map just starts to fall into several peices. If you don't dry it properly, it tends to turn into a lump of paper pulp sitting in the bottom of your bag, and is pretty much useless from then on.

I may add other similar commercial deals in future. Not because I want to get fabulously rich from this site, but to help offset the costs in time and money of running this site. I will only promote stuff I use myself (unless they pay me staggeringly huge amounts of money), and that is relevant and useful to the visitors to the site. So, no popup ads!