Every route tells a story, but not every route looks the same on a map. Some are flat coastal loops. Others climb straight through mountain ranges. For a while, I've been printing all of my custom GPX route art the same way, a route profile laid flat on a black plaque. It looks great, but it doesn't always capture what the ride actually felt like.

So for Paddy’s 123km, 1,691m route around Castell de Castells in Spain, I decided to test three different styles side by side, using the exact same GPX file, to see which one told the story best.

Style 1: The Classic Flat Plate

This is the print most people recognise from my work: a rectangular plaque with the route etched in raised filament against a base, plus the route name, rider, date, distance, and elevation gain printed clean and legible underneath, this is all customisable

It's simple, it's readable from across a room, and it works brilliantly as a straightforward memento of a big day out, a sportive, a first century ride, a PB. If you want something understated for a shelf or a desk, this is still the print I'd recommend.

Style 2: Topographical Relief

This is where things get interesting. Instead of a flat black background, the base itself is 3D printed to mimic the actual terrain the route passed through, real elevation data turned into a textured, mountainous surface, with the yellow route line sitting on top exactly where it was ridden.

For Castell de Castells, that meant the plaque now shows genuine peaks and ridgelines rising up around the route, rather than just implying them with a number on a label. You can see, and feel, where the climbing happened. It's a completely different object to hold, it has real weight and depth, and every angle catches the light differently.

I printed this one as a hexagon rather than a rectangle, which suits the organic, landscape feel far better than straight edges would.

Style 3: Topographical Relief, Framed as a Poster

The third version takes the topographical print and mounts it onto a printed poster, framed behind glass, route name at the top, a small flag for the country the ride took place in, and the key stats (date, distance, elevation) laid out underneath in a clean, minimal typeface.

This is the one built for walls rather than shelves. It sits somewhere between a piece of art and a certificate of achievement, and it's the style I think has the strongest gift potential, think landmark birthdays, anniversaries of an event, or a surprise for someone who's just finished their first big sportive or ultra.

Which Style Should You Choose?

Flat plate: best for a clean, simple keepsake or a first-time gift
Topographical relief: best if the route had serious elevation and you want that captured physically, not just numerically
Framed topographical poster: best for a standout wall piece or a milestone gift

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a 3D printed route map? A 3D printed route map turns your GPX file, from Strava, Garmin, or any GPS device, into a physical object. The route line is printed in raised filament on a base, alongside the ride name, date, distance, and elevation gain.

Can you 3D print elevation and terrain, not just the route line? Yes. Alongside the standard flat plate, I now offer a topographical style where the base itself is printed to reflect the real terrain elevation data along your route, so mountains and climbs are physically raised rather than just written as a number.

Can a 3D printed route map be framed? Yes, the topographical style can also be mounted onto a printed poster and framed, giving you a wall-ready piece that combines the physical 3D route with printed event details.

What information can be included on a custom route print? Typically the route name, rider or event name, date, distance, and total elevation gain, though this can be customised depending on the style.

How do I get a print made of my own route? Send over your GPX file from Strava, Garmin Connect, or any GPS app, along with the details you'd like included, and I'll turn it into a printed keepsake in the style of your choice.

Get Your Own Route Immortalised

Whether you've just ridden your first sportive, ticked off a bucket-list climb, or want a genuinely unique gift for the cyclist, hiker, or runner in your life, I can turn your GPX file into a physical keepsake, flat, topographical, or framed. Send me your route and let's talk about which style suits it best.

From Flat Route Plaque to 3D Mountain Relief: Introducing Three New Ways to Print Your Ride