How to...

'Bikefax brings out the 'i-guide'.

'A guidebook in a download.'

Now you download and print off your own route maps, route descriptions and gps tracks for mountain bike routes around the country.

All of the routes in our guidebooks are now available in downloadable format.

15 things to do with a Bikefax i-guide

1. Daydream about some great riding
Well the first thing to do, probably to sit back in a comfy chair and enjoy the idea of a great ride to come.

2. Go window shopping for the perfect ride
Next get on line at the bikefax webshop.bike-fax and click on i-guides . Browse the ever expanding i-guides selection and choose a route.

3. Write your own guidebook
Is it going to be XC or DH, classic or epic. The great thing about i-guides is that you get to put together your own custom guidebook based on the kind of routes that you like to ride.

4. Say yes
Once youve decide what route youd like, press yes please, Id like to buy this route. And at just one british pound per route, it really isnt going to take you bouncing over the limit on your credit card.

5. Begin download
Once youve successfully made your payment and been sent back to the Bikefax website, just click the link to begin downloading your choice to your computer.

6. Unzip it
Next thing you know, a zipped version of the pdf, together with the gps log for that route is arriving in your hard drive. No waiting for the postman to arrive.

7. Turn on the printer
And print out your route guide. With just an ordinary inkjet printer you can now print off your own guidebooks.

8. Recycle your paper
Alternatively print it on our waterproof paper, which will last just about forever, the perfect environmental solution.

9. Load up the GPS
If you're fed up getting lost in the middle of the forest, you really will love this bit, every i-guide comes with a gps log file which you can open in Tracklogs and Memory Map or alternatively use your navigation units software to import the route straight into the gps.

10. Google Earth it
Want to see what your route looks like in real time? Open your track in Google Earth and see what it looks like from the air.

11. Do some planning
You dont want to go out there without knowing where the nearest bike shop and bacon butty are located. Every i-guide comes with a list of local services including bike shops, cafes, pubs and accommodation locally.

12. Chuck it all in the car
With the i-guide printed, the gps loaded, the nearest bacon butty logged, its time to riding.

13. Enjoy sweet hassle free riding
Even if your i-guide gets wet, it doesnt matter, you can print off another one, or just trust to the gps the next time you do the ride.

14. Finally go home and start at No 1 again!

15. Or to pretend youve got Chris King hubs..
Roll up and i-guide, find an old clothes peg, and peg it onto your swing arm to get that great whirring sound when you go down hill, like you did when you were a kid. Sounds just like Chris King hubs (and a lot cheaper).

VIEW A SELECTION OF BIKEFAX I-GUIDES