More mapping shenanigans! As some of you will know, there are already some open source maps available for the Garmin Edge 605 and 705. I’ve only just realised that these maps can also be displayed in Garmin’s Training Centre. Simply download the map for your region and put in the the appropriate folder on your PC (where the current base map is installed) and rename it to the same as the existing version ‘pc_basemap2.img’ (mine was in C:\Garmin\PCBSMP2 ), make sure you rename the old one first with a .old extension in case you need to go back.
I’ve recently become aware of a few useful online mapping utilities that I thought I’d share here.
First of all, have you ever used Google Maps to create driving directions between two locations? Probably most of you have, but now it’s possible to export those directions to your GPS with the aid of 2 slightly different tools.
GmapToGPX is the simplest, simply create your route in Google, dragging the route around until you’re happy and perhaps hitting the ‘avoid highways’ option if it’s a cycling route you’re planning. Once this is done, follow the instructions provided in the GmaptoGPX link. You now have a .gpx file for importing into your Garmin Edge.
Another option is to use TakItWithMe (sic), similar idea, but a little more flexibility in export options, this site also makes use of Garmin’s Communicator plugin.
I’ve been maintaining a Google map of cyclist friendly café facilities. If you know of a good one, let me know exactly where it is by commenting on this story and I’ll edit the map. It doesn’t have to be local to me (NW England).
Here’s an interesting one, the guys over at OpenStreetMap now have a map that is compatible with the Garmin Edge 605 and 705 (and other non-cycling specific Garmin nav units). I won’t replicate all the instructions here, simply head over to the download page and either download the ready made map (link near the top of the page) or follow the instructions to make your own map.
Since the recent Garmin Edge 605 and 705 firmware update it’s now possible for multiple maps to co-exist in the same storage area, for instance you can have City Navigator and Topo maps on the storage card. Previously you had to put one map on the internal memory and the other on the Micro SD card. So if you now put your map(s) on the storage card, you can then put the gmapsupp.img file from the link on this page onto your internal memory. I couldn’t figure a way of putting the open map in the same memory area as my other maps as you have to call it ‘gmapsupp.img’ which would clash with the already existing one.
The UK map has routes from the National Cycle Network on there, but unfortunately autorouting is not possible, but then just how much do you want when it’s free
Not a bad solution for someone who is having to live with the free base map until funds allow an upgrade.
I’m experimenting with MapMyRide this week as I’m having some problems uploading a route to Motionbased. This was a hard ride, I was anticipating the climb up to the Ponderosa café well in advance, and actually it wasn’t that difficult. What caught me by surprise was the next big climb of the day up to Worlds End! Mapmyride reckons I climbed just over 2000 feet today, but I know for sure it was in the region of 4200 feet. Probably just one of the reasons I’ll revert back to Motionbased just as soon as I can work out the glitch.
I picked up one of these on Friday, primarily because I can’t resist a new toy, but I also thought if it adds another aspect to my training, then why not
First of all, I don’t believe for one minute that this device on its own will make you fit, but I also think that it will be a useful complement to an existing fitness program.
I think of the Wii Fit as a tool to track your goals with, you can set goals such as ‘lose x lbs in x weeks’ and the Wii Fit will track your progress. This may have a positive effect on your cycling, you might be tempted to do an extra 10 miles if you know it’s contributing to that goal you’ve set yourself on the Wii Fit! Also, the stretching/yoga part of Wii Fit is likely to be useful to cyclists, after all, how many of us stretch like we’re supposed to? It certainly makes stretching slightly more interesting!
I’ll probably add more to this later.
I fancied a change today, so thought to add another dimension to the ride, I’d go to Delamere again but this time going via Liverpool and the famous Mersey Ferries. The ride should be just over 80 miles, but I had my first glitch with the Edge 705 today, it hung somewhere in the Runcorn area and so I lost roughly a mile of data recording.
Once you get past Runcorn bridge and head out into Delamere and Cheshire, the scenery starts to open up. This panoramic picture was taken on Quarrybank road near the village of Quarrybank at a high point (484ft in altitude according to SportTracks) of the ride. I hadn’t expected this much climbing here, I planned the route without the benefit of topo information and it took me by surprise!
As usual, here’s the Google overview of the ride, I’ve had to make the overview slightly bigger than usual. you can download the route here.
Today, a spin across to Delamere Forest followed by a hack across the Cheshire plains. 70 miles all in, I was slightly under-dressed as it felt a bit chilly heading out into the strong Easterly wind. The climb up to Alvanley soon sorted that out though
This route is reputed to be used by Steve Cummings, a well known local cyclist who is gaining prominence on the professional circuit. The route appeared in a past issue of Cycling Weekly, but I came to know about it after Frank published the route on his site. Cracking route, let down only by having to ride along Oil Sites road, right through the middle of the Shell Oil refinery! It gets better, trust me!
Today was the first chance I’ve had to put the Edge 705 through its paces, it was excellent! I decided to upload a route that I’d edited in MapSource but once on the ride I decided to let the Edge navigate the route for me by choosing a destination out of the favourites instead. It happily took me away (where possible) from very busy roads (mainly with NSL signs) and took me in some cases through quiet residential areas, not somewhere I usually ride on my longer rides but it was a welcome change!
Due to the feature (See below in the review), the route above isn’t 100% accurate, it doesn’t for instance show me following some quiet cycle paths around the busy A550 area. It’s a nice route though, some nice quiet roads in North Wales. There’s been a lot of rain lately, but today was fairly dry, though in the picture of the ford near Loggerheads below, you’ll see that I had to use the footbridge, I usually ride straight through!
On the whole, it’s a great device!
Click here if you want to download/export the route.
