Bicycle touring through small towns provides an intimate glimpse of local life. Struggling with Google Maps' unclear directions, I met Ben and Terry at a McDonald's in Louisiana. Ben presented an old paper map with a newly marked road, better suited for cycling. His pride in the map highlighted the importance of local knowledge over digital navigational tools. The encounter emphasized the value of human connection and experience in unfamiliar territory, especially as towns become increasingly standardized.
There's something about small-town mornings that feel different when you're on a bicycle tour. You're not just passing through - you're dropped into a little slice of real life.
Google Maps was acting strange - offering up confusing directions and possibly sending me into trouble. This was back in 2016, and I was still relying on Google's bicycle routes.
Ben didn't hesitate - he sprang up from the booth and told me, "Hang on just a sec." He hustled out to his car and came back grinning, holding something I hadn't seen in years: a well-worn paper map.
He pointed to the road Google had selected for me - a stretch under construction that would've been rough going on a bike. Right there on the map, drawn with a pencil, was a brand-new road.
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