This User Guide provides tips to allow you to quickly grasp and use all the features available on the Ohio Bike Trails Google map. You may also want to check out the Gmap Updates and Notes page.

Having trouble viewing the map or with lag? Go here.

If you'd rather watch video demos on how to use the Gmap, go here.

Quick Start Guide

• Select one of the trail radio buttons below the map to bring the selected trail into view. This click also loads a list of Points of Interest in the right-hand margin menu.
• Click on the POIs or the corresponding map markers to learn more about the trail. Use the slider in the upper left-hand corner of the map to zoom in or out.

That's all there is to it, now you're ready to explore! Read through the remaining sections to learn more tips and shortcuts.

Basic Navigation

• Four ways to zoom in:
  • Quick Zoom! - To zoom in to view a trailhead or other point of interest quickly, open its word bubble by clicking on the POI, then zoom by clicking on the slider scale in the upper left-hand corner.
  • Double-click on the map with your cursor. This not only zooms, but centers the map to the point clicked.
  • Use the zoom tool in the upper left-hand corner by clicking on the "+" (or "-" to zoom out) to slowly zoom the current perspective.
  • Use the slider to zoom in or out more quickly. Tip! When a word bubble is open, the marker location is the center when you zoom in.
• Virtual Tours! - When you are zoomed in for a closer look at a trail with its "Points of Interest" loaded in the right-hand side bar, click on several side bar points in succession to take a virtual tour along the corridor. Click on another trail button to do the same.
• Click the arrows above the zoom feature to pan in the desired direction.
• Hold your left mouse button to "grab" the map to move it. Or simply click the POIs to move.

Find A Trailhead Quickly!

• Select a trail to load the bikeway onto the map. Adjust the Zoom to see the complete trail, if necessary. Next click on a map marker (most commonly used for trailheads) to open its word bubble. Drag the slider up to zoom in quickly.
• If you're looking for a trail(s) in a particular region (sw, nw, ne, se), click on the desired region button along the left margin below the map. Next, click each of the trail buttons for that region. The markers will show each trail's position.

More Navigation Tips

• Important! Clicking the trail radio buttons brings a selected trail into view but does not change the current zoom level. In other words, if the zoom is too close, you may not see the entire trail until you zoom out.
• Click on 'Map,' Satellite,' 'Hybrid' or 'Terrain' in the upper right-hand corner of the map to change the map type. Note: Certain types may allow you to zoom in further.
• Clicking the back button on your browser will take you back to the previous page, rather than undo your last map action.
• Clicking the "Reset" button in the left-hand margin menu will reset the map to its original perspective.

Powerful Searches -- A Trip Planner's Dream!

The Google local search feature, in the lower right-hand corner of the map, adds a new dimension to map viewing. You can now plan your trip with the trail map! The search engine brings up local hits and plots mini-markers to show you their location. The closest hits appear in your target area. Other hits throughout the surrounding region are also shown.

Here's how it works: Start by picking a spot on or near a bikeway and zoom in to that location. Now you're ready to search. Hungry? Type in "food," "ice cream" or "pizza" to pull up local hits right along the trail. Ok, you've got your food stops, next try "camping," "campgrounds," "hotels" or "lodging" if you're interested in staying the night. Get the idea? You can now look up anything you might want or need along a trail. Need a repair? Try "bike shop." None in the immediate area? Perhaps you can rig that broken pannier rack for now. Try "hardware store." Doing a long tour and want to stay connected? Try "internet cafe" or "library."

Printing Gmap Copies

You can perform a "print screen" with your computer to save a map copy. Capture the image, then use an image editor to chop off the header (or anything else you don't need), then print.

Don't know how to capture an image on your monitor? For Vista and Windows 7 users, use the Snipping Tool. Here's a link for XP users with a video demo. Here's a clip for Mac users.

Go to the Gmap.