[OSM-newbies] Just viewing roads and neatly creating cycle routes

[HotBelgo]

Hi
Two newbie questions

1. When I download map data for my area there is a huge amount of detail including of fields and similar areas.   Is there a way to just see the roads to simplify editing?
2. I'm trying to create cycle routes in my area by editing the relevant 'relations'.  However, when a cycle route passes for e.g. 100m along a main road I'm finding myself having to chop the main route up so that the 100m section can be added to the cycle route.  Is that the right thing to do?

HB