Hello all. I figured I would type up some feedback and suggestions for this app. I'll try to keep this constructive. I apologize as this is a long post.

First off, I think the idea of this app is just fantastic! You guys get some major thumbs up from me!! Great work on getting this going.

I'll start off with some feedback.
The good:
I bought this app today and, at first, was a little skeptical to purchase because of the cost. However, really thinking about it, it's not that expensive. As one user posted 'The cost of a couple gallons of gas'. Being from the Chicago area and knowing that this app is still relatively new, I didn't expect to have many routes in my area. I was pleasantly surprised to see a few. I think it's a good idea to have this as a paid app to keep unwanted casual downloaders from making a mess of BS stretches. Some features I want to give a big thumbs up to are the Facebook hook up and the email. I like that email gives three options. At first I thought it was a neat app but probably not very useful for me. That is until I added my own route. WOW, that's really when I felt how powerful this app can be. If not just for the sharing of routes, a place to store my routes that I find and enjoy.
The not so good:
I'm running an iPhone 3gs with IOS4 on it (not sure if that makes a difference). I noticed every time I try to bring a route into the iPhone Map (Google) app, it's all kinds of messed up. I wont get into detail but I've concluded that this feature just doesn't work. Also, tried the email GPS file feature to an app called Trails, pretty much had the same effect. The routes we're kind of messy and inaccurate. If needed, I can email some examples. Really not a deal breaker for me.

Suggestions time:
Big ones:
The first thing, and I'm begging for this, PLEASE let this app use the IOS4 multitasking feature. It kills me that every time I exit the app, I have to open, wait, click, wait, etc.. Just to get back to a map I was just looking at. Think of it this way, if you're looking at a route and a TXT comes in, how do you quickly get back to that route? Really, you can't. Also, It's my belief that there are two types of people. The 'Map' people and the 'Turn by Turn' people. Map people see a line on a map and that's how they follow the directions on where to go. 'Turn by Turn' people prefer direction (like a TomTom or other GPS). I'm a map person. Looking the the route on the Map in this app is PERFECT for me. However (as mentioned above) it doesn't transfer into the Maps app the same. I really just want to click the icon and see the Map you provide.

Some way or option to communicate. We're bikers!! Like wolves, we run in packs! Some way for users to communicate would be awesome. Either email , messaging, Facebook connect or something, directly from the app. Also, if you were to go this route, it should be optional. Some people do prefer anonymity.

Smaller ones:
Another user suggested a thumbs up button. I know you have the star system (which is good) but I think we would like to see how many people have rated it. 4 Stars by 1 person could send me off a cliff.. 4 Stars by 40 people - That's powerful!

More details are always nice. Some ideas: More road types (interstate, 2 lane, etc..), Type of road/route(urban, country, etc..), User updated road conditions, I'm sure so many more ideas could be put here. Details are nice.

Filtering / Blocking. So, there is a route in my area. Nothing 'wrong' with this route but just doesn't interest me. However, every time I click 'Show Me' it comes up first. Be nice to be able to block it, just from my eyes. Filtering would be nice too on several of the details listed above. (only show 4 stars OR no routes with interstates).

As others have asked - A web interface would be helpful as well.


That's all. Thanks for taking the time in reading this. I hope you can read this as suggestions to a very good product.

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Steve V