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Hi all,
I want to address some of the feedback I’ve received recently about the usability of the site, particularly regarding the maps and route layout.
First, I genuinely welcome constructive feedback. If there’s something specific you feel is missing or confusing about the current route/map setup, let me know. I’m always working to improve things, and there’s a lot planned for the winter ahead.
That said, displaying every single route on one map simply doesn’t work; it becomes a mess. That’s why I’ve divided Norway into regions (North, South, East, etc.), and created two dedicated pages for the National Cycle Routes and EuroVelo 1. Each has its own map for better clarity.
On the full story pages (for premium members), you’ll find the main route, plus options for detours, add-ons, and alternatives. There’s a huge variety of routes across the country, and making that information clear and usable takes serious time.
The site is about 40% complete, despite two years of work. It’ll take at least two more to reach the level I’m aiming for—where cyclists can easily plan tours across the country with confidence. That level of detail isn’t free or easy to produce.
This site has been funded entirely from my own savings. It’s not perfect, but compared to what the government offers for cycle tourism, it’s miles ahead in both practicality and inspiration. I’ve cycled over 40,000 km in Norway and built this site route by route, story by story, based on real experience—not theory, not guesswork.
Right now, I’m limited by the cost of development. In an ideal world, I’d have €50,000 to custom-build the site exactly as needed. Instead, I rely on third-party plugins and tools, which can be clunky or limiting. But I do what I can.
Thanks to the recent wave of premium signups, I now have some funds to invest in upgrades over the winter. Until then, my focus is on filming during the last part of summer. Expect several new films this winter designed to inspire more people to explore Norway by bike.
If I had a full team, this site would be constantly evolving. But it’s just me handling video production, web development, backend systems, customer support, legal/tax obligations, and everything else that comes with running a business like this.
I appreciate your support and patience. This is a long-term project, and it’s getting stronger every year.
– Matthew,
Cycle Norway