Route Planning

Another one to throw into the mix is bikehike.co.uk. I like the fact that there is a larger scale map on the right hand side of the screen whilst you can zoom in and out of areas on the left. It will also let you download routes to Garmins etc.

cyclestreets.net

There is an iphone app although I'm not sure if it will allow you to then upload it, you may have to log in to the website after you've created it on the iphone. Worth a look though.

+1 ridewithgps ....

I like http://www.ridewithgps.com for route mapping. You can export various formats to whatever app you use on your phone or directly to a Garmin.

I realy like ViewRanger which I found out about on another thread on here. You can plan your route on a real computer then follow it on your phone (I have a mount on my handlebars but this would be more difficult if you don't!). It shows you as a dot on a map and gives you a direction arrow if you need to make a turning. You can download the map to your phone over wifi so you dont need to worry about getting lost somewhere without any signal.

My head likes the idea of turning left and right willy nilly but my legs don't

I have used http://www.mapmyride.com/ quite a few times and not had any issues but there are loads of other similar websites.

Like the above suggestions.

I use bikeroutetoaster to plan routes - gives route profiles - but I just remember the villages that I'll pass through and trust to signs and luck

A coin, when you get to a junction you flip the coin heads you turn right, tails left. After a while you will know the roads and where you are and won't need a sat nav that takes your eyes off the road.