This must be third or fourth attempt I've made to learn this app. I'm trying to create a route, and Basecamp makes the dumbest decision. It constantly ignore the obvious route and detours in circles or leaves the main road for no reason. And then it leaves the route function and I have to start over. @@()*$*&$@&^*!
BaseCamp routes make use of the Profile settings to find a route. These settings will cause the algorithm to avoid certain road types, features (e.g. toll roads) or seek fastest time or shortest distance. The avoidance settings can be customized for a given profile or a new profile can be created by the user. One doesn't have to use the profile for a given activity - e.g. the Driving profile may be a better choice even if you are riding a motorcycle.
Loops are usually caused by an errant via/shaping point. This could be a point that is closer to the opposite lane on a divided highway or nearer an intersecting road at an intersection.
If you are not using a Garmin map product, the classification of different road types may differ from Garmin's classification and this can create issues based on avoidance settings.
As a general guide for vehicle travel, use the Driving profile and supply a start point and a destination. You can then open the Route Properties and change the Activity Profile and see the results. In areas where there are few roads, the algorithm will hang trying to find a route that avoids many road types or features. The Driving profile has the fewest avoidance settings.
Once you've found a Profile that comes closest to your intended route, add via/shaping points to achieve your final route. Motorcycle riders tend to prefer adding intersections, but I prefer to add a point away form intersections. I think this has to do with the behavior of devices intended for motorcycles.
Forum members will provide help if you supply a gpx file (you can use approximate start/end points), and information about your map, Activity Profile (and any changes from default settings) and an indication of where you'd rather go or what's wrong with the generated Route.
Looking at your route it does look like you've misplaced some points which is what's causing her the loops. I'm intrigued though by the apparent number of points in your route. Best is to start with a start and end point. Let BaseCamp calculate the route having chosen the correct map and profile. Once that happens add other points as necessary.
Delayed response. In addition to the comments above, suggest that you reset the Routing Categories to default and use the Automobile category. This may require scrolling to the bottom of the page to find a reset button if using a laptop with no more than 720 lines of resolution. Also look for resets on pages other than "first page".
As to the exact routing shown in the attached route image above, we California old timers can just glance at the routing and see the issues. Several years ago I was testing out a handheld gps while driving eastbound from the Central Valley toward the Sierras. Unfortunately the desired state road was being repaved and it was necessary to detour exactly one mile to the south on a parallel local road on a section line. Fortunately that gps device had a feature to disable automatic recalculation.
