cycling route sheet inside homemade mapholder zip-tied to handlebars of road bike

Bicycle Map Holders

For most organized bike rides, a map is provided. This map is often handy, if not essential, for making sure you stay on course. However, it is inconvenient to be checking it often if it remains in your bicycle jersey all the time.

The solution is to have your map located where you can readily see it: on your handlebars. I have seen several riders do this in my 9 years of riding, but never could find a suitable map holder. Finally, after several episodes this year of losing maps (lost 2 during the 2002 World’s Toughest Century) or losing time while pulling the map out of my jersey pocket, I decided to make my own. It only took about 10 minutes, and it worked fabulously. Here’s how I made it.

I took a clear photo album sheet that had two “halves” (pockets) for 4″X11″ panoramic photos. I cut and discarded one of these halves, and trimmed down the other half to the size depicted below. Then I reinforced the top with clear packaging tape, cut a cutout for my cyclometer on my stem, and punched two holes with a hole puncher. These holes would be used to attach the mapholder to the handlebars via zip-ties. See the photos below.

clear plastic photo album sheet on wooden table
The material I made the mapholder out of.

It worked superbly in the 2002 Heartbreak Double, which was plagued with the worst winds of any ride I’ve ever done! Despite 40+ mph winds, it was not flapping around at all. It is so thin, yet stiff, that it sliced through the air.

Mile 0, 6:12 a.m.: Canny all set for a 6:30 a.m. mass start.  Today I'd be testing the first all-new tire I've tried in 8 years: the Michelin Pro Race (front wheel).  It rode and handled superbly, and soon I'll be getting one for the rear.
Mile 0, 6:12 a.m.: Canny all set for a 6:30 a.m. mass start. Today I'd be testing the first all-new tire I've tried in 8 years: the Michelin Pro Race (front wheel). It rode and handled superbly, and soon I'll be getting one for the rear.
cycling route sheet inside homemade mapholder zip-tied to handlebars of road bike
A route sheet inside my homemade mapholder.