Creat GPX Files from Google Maps

Here you can create a GPX file from any route your create on google maps.

1.  Create your route on google maps
2.  Copy the URL of the route
3.  Navigate to this website: http://www.gpsvisualizer.com
4.  Paste the URL your just copied into the box after "Or provide the URL of a file on the Web:__________________________ (Pic 1)
5. Hit the green Convert button (Pic 1)
6. Download 

Pic 1

Pic 2

OSM Map Installation - Mac - Garmin Basecamp

OSM map installation - Mac - Garmin Basecamp

For MAC Users: The below instructions allows you to easily create custom OSM maps and use them in basecamp and on your GPS. You will need to install:

-     Map/Track Manager: Garmin Basecamp

-     Map installer:JaVaWa  (download at http://www.javawa.nl/gmtk_en.html)

Instructions

1) Choose "routable cycle map" file from garmin.openstreetmap.nl 

2) Select the segments / country / region / you want

             The most useful and smallest file is to select the exact segments you want manually

3) Send your request & wait for the email (it may take a day, sometimes less)

4) Download the file via the link in the email you receive

               Choose the MAC file: "openfietsmap_lite_macosx.zip"

5) Extract the ZIP: you will get a file called "Openfietsmap Lite.gmap"

6) Create a folder called "New Map"  (Can be anywhere - you can delete afterwards)

9) Copy the "Openfietsmap Lite.gmap" file into this new folder.

10) Edit the name of the folder from "New Map" to the EXACT name of the file just extracted and add .GMAPI extension

               Filename will be: "Openfietsmap Lite.gmapi"    (You MUST include the .)

               This will change the file/folder type - confirm YES

11) Open JaVaWa program to install the OSM in basecamp

              Open the EXTRAS menu: Choose "install gmapi/gmap map"

              Navigate to the using the openfietsmap Lite.gmapi" folder you just created

              Click "Open"

              NB: OSM Basecamp maps are created in folder: user:yourname:library:application support:Garmin:Maps

12) In JaVaWa open "Extras" menu choose "Change Map Name And ID" (default is openfietsmap!!! which wont help you much)

                Change family ID: (if necessary) to any number not already used by another map

                Change "name on computer" (the name displayed in basecamp)

                Change "name on device" (the name displayed on your GPS - keep it short)

                Change "folder name" keeping the .gmapi extension (the name displayed in map folder on your mac)

13) Click "Modify" & Exit JaVaWa

14) (re)Open Basecamp: your file is now listed in the Basecamp map list with name you just entered.

15) You can delete your working files/folders you just created in steps 4) to 10) to free up space.

Strava Mapping Tool - No More Searching for "that" ride

Strava is a free online site, much like Garmin connect, which keeps all your GPS tracks in one handy location. GPS Tracks can be loaded individually, or, automatically from Garmin Connect, once linked.

Strava also automagically!! tracks segments (parts) of your track and compares your performance to others !!! Great to start racing one another...

However, getting a visual overview of your tracks was a little tricky, until now!!

A 3'rd party app will visually show all your Strava tracks on one handy map and provide a link to each track, so you can quickly and easily find your tracks, to share, download, edit or whatever.

Here is the link:http://www.jonathanokeeffe.com/strava/multi-ride-mapper/

You will need to link to your strava account and then save the page for future reference!!
Easy.

See below: List on the left is all my rides. Map on the right shows all the tracks on google maps.
Click on either one to go to the ride data on strava!!

Les Diablerets...snow fun!

Quiz!

How many MTB rides did Dopey in the last 365 days?

Number of rides: 0.5 point = 115

Total distance (km): 0.5 point = 3.855 km

Total elevation gain (m): 0.5 point = 117.340 m

Average speed (km/h): 0.5 point = 11.2 km/h

A total of 2 points to earn! The answers will be given next Tuesdays ride.

Plus the pic of the week! In line with the quiz...watch the Garmin!

PS. Honey badger....where is the ride report?

Caterpillar Yearly MTB weekend - Crans Montana July 22, 23 and 24

Joe's,

I am happy to announce the dates and location for this years Cat MTB weekend! A new location once again...with new fabulous trails to discover, DH possibility and superb after ride possibilities!

Here are the details:

Location: Crans Montana

Dates: July 22, 23 and 24

Hotel: Lago Lodge

We have 1 big room on south side with nice view on the mountains and the lake, with salon and wireless by the reception.

Price per night: around CHF 50 per head but depending on the number of participants

Ride plan:

- Friday July 22nd - Downhill day!

- Saturday and Sunday...sweet single track trails in the Valais!

DH bikes can be rented at the Kona Bikepark. Two beds have been reserved for Thursday for DH-er Missile and Dopey. Any additional lodging request have to be submitted asap!

GPS tracks of the rides will be available before the weekend.

What to bring:

- A bike that is ready for the job!

- Cash so you buy your riding buddies lots of drinks

- Party boots

- Your digital recording device...

- A (small) head lamp....take it with you on the bike. Surprise!

- Demi-tarif for the train!

This page will get updated as we get closer.

Participants confirmed: Dopey, Nascar, Missile, Old Jo / Papy, Labrico.....We hope to see more of you! Make it possible.... :-)

Here are some teasers:

See trail options in Google maps!

New Page......

Did anyone notice....?

Somewhere east of the Saleve......we found cooked Zulu

Ride summary:

- Ref.....see DOH report. And you are wondering why we keep making fun of you?

- The explorer award: Boumboum.....only he can come up with a ride like this; single track, fences, farmland, gardens, little bush trails, cows, the middle of nowhere, etc. +1 point.

- We ride until we die approach: Boumboum......3h35 and 38km during a night ride. The man prefers pedaling over food! No limits.....! I did not my light lasted that long......

- The weakest link: Cooked Zulu for sure......after the first climb already!?

- The missing link: Dopey for preparing Zulu's broken chain and providing those necessary parts (the link) to get him home. +1 point. Zulu give your 29er some love and care! Lube the chain and bring the needed parts (tube, chain link, etc.) to get to the end of a ride.....Spares damn it!!

- Labrico......Quote;"I knew you would be there so I pedaled like crazy to be on time"!.....all sweaty and smiling......

Statistics:

- departure time: 18h30

- arrival time: 22h00

- length: 38km

- ascent: 700m

- Pedaling time: 2h50

- Average speed: 13.5 km/h

Portail de Fully......an epic ride.

Joe's what a day! What a ride!.....Thanks!!!

Here is the summary + points recommendations:

- Born to ride points: all riders for completing this ride +1

- Ride manager....Dopey for hosting, guiding and getting cable car tickets well in advance so team could get on the first car, beating the Swiss German mountain bike crowd and no waiting time....!!+1

- One OTB for Papy.....well timed and chosen. He is still alive. Any other point in the ride and we would have had to fish him out of the Rhone.....

- Papy.....displaying far above riding skill.....+0.5!

- Labrico.....mastering a front wheel wheelie.....+0.5

- One failing brake pat.....replace by Papy in seconds. He had the pad and the skills! +0.25

Quotes:

- ....if you were a girl I would kiss you.....the Happy Campers following the guide.

- ....Papy;"Can we have some Spaetzle with that please?"....request no. 25!

- ....Next time on my 29er.....shouted out loud by Papy!!

- ....I love those brake rotors.....pointing at Dopey floating and tingling Hope brake rotors....Can I have those on my Stumpy?

- ....Dopey;"Can I have Meringues a la double creme de la Gruyere?"......asking while being in the Valais!!

Statistics:

- Temperature: Sunny, +20C....almost to warm to have lunch outside.

- Trail: Single track, technical and dry and dusty.......+80 switch backs.

- Total ascent: 1.700m

- Total descent: 2.350m

- Time: 4 hours moving time....7 hours pleasure!

- Length: 40km

Pictures: Click on the pic for the complete slide show!

The Track:

Caterpillar Mountain Biking - Garmin Connect

If you have a Garmin and a Garmin Connect account you can now find all rides and tracks under user: caterpillarmountainbiking

To create your Garmin Connect account click here.

I will put all group rides on this account.

The new toy Edge 800....Soon in the shops.

For a thorough review go here!