Learner Ride to Taupo (Saturday 11 Feb 2012)

[The Singing Chef]

Don't worry, I shall bring my meaty delight for you all to feast on over the table. Plenty for seconds too.

[blue rider]

for mom and your enjoyment

[OCD Legend]

Don't worry, I shall bring my meaty delight for you all to feast on over the table. Plenty for seconds too.

hmmmmm I think I may be vegetarian this weekend

[newhere]

for mom and your enjoyment

So so so wrong

[Newbi]

Have a fantastic time everyone, won't be on this one, too busy with my horses at the mo. Bike is on holiday.

[blue rider]

Have a fantastic time everyone, won't be on this one, too busy with my horses at the mo. Bike is on holiday.

nooooooooo nooooooooo noooooo

you got horses.....oh must come and visit you...!

[nzspokes]

Have a fantastic time everyone, won't be on this one, too busy with my horses at the mo. Bike is on holiday.

Thats a shame Jo. Once my full license and new bike have come I feel a blast up to a camp ground near you coming up for a ride.

Im sue others could be convinced to come.

[Phreak]

Well, I can safely (hopefully) say that Group 1 wont be getting lost - I have just finished programming the trips into my GPS! Assuming the maps on page 1 are correct, that is! (and my GPS programming skills are up to spec too, of course!)

And it only took me the better part of 2 hours...

[newhere]

Have a fantastic time everyone, won't be on this one, too busy with my horses at the mo. Bike is on holiday.

Gutted, I will miss you - I will contact you next time im up your way and see if your free for a ride

[Phreak]

Have a fantastic time everyone, won't be on this one, too busy with my horses at the mo. Bike is on holiday.

You suck poos and wees... But I'm sure we'll see you at the next one!

[Newbi]

Thats a shame Jo. Once my full license and new bike have come I feel a blast up to a camp ground near you coming up for a ride.

Im sue others could be convinced to come.

Hahaha Awesome, but you wont need a campground, we have Ten acres here and our lawn area and around the house is about 3, with a lovely river boundary, so you guys are welcome to come and pitch a tent anytime. We have a pool too if ya scared to swim in the river lol.

[Gremlin]

Well, I can safely (hopefully) say that Group 1 wont be getting lost - I have just finished programming the trips into my GPS! Assuming the maps on page 1 are correct, that is! (and my GPS programming skills are up to spec too, of course!)

And it only took me the better part of 2 hours...

Sweet jaysus boy! You using a Garmin? Sounds like you need a bit of tuition in programming...

[Phreak]

Sweet jaysus boy! You using a Garmin? Sounds like you need a bit of tuition in programming...

Nah, it's just a 'non-brand name' jobbie off TradeMe, been using it for a few years... First time I've done this though.

I figured out how to download maps to it from Google Earth, in KML format, but due to a lack of 'waypoints' the GPS simply reverted to the fastest route between the start location and destination. Which, being a TRUE biker, wasn't what I wanted! So I simply tracked the route manually, putting in lots of waypoints throughout. Not the easiest of tasks, but nevermind...

I know Garmin's are a lot easier for that sort of thing... (If there is an easier way, feel free to let me know for next time!)

[Gremlin]

Yeah... get a Garmin.

In terms of routing, the best way to create the route is to create route with beginning and end. The route will not be as desired. Throw a point in the middle, where you want to be, and see if it recalculates as required. Keep throwing a mid way point in each chunk until you've got the right route. It minimises points, which aids route calculation (more points slows it down). Bit faster than creating a point every few km. I use intersections a lot as they are precise, but avoid cities, otherwise it takes you to the literal point of the city (and in big cities that really sucks).

[Phreak]

Yeah... get a Garmin.

In terms of routing, the best way to create the route is to create route with beginning and end. The route will not be as desired. Throw a point in the middle, where you want to be, and see if it recalculates as required. Keep throwing a mid way point in each chunk until you've got the right route. It minimises points, which aids route calculation (more points slows it down). Bit faster than creating a point every few km. I use intersections a lot as they are precise, but avoid cities, otherwise it takes you to the literal point of the city (and in big cities that really sucks).

Lol I wish I had the money! Feel free to start the donations though! Lol

Yeah, that was pretty much how I did it, only problem was Maha's desired route takes in pretty much every back road, so I found it was easiest to just drop points every few km's, to keep the GPS on the right track. It worked out okay, just took a while. No major drama. Now to see if it misleads me next weekend! Lol that'll be fun, considering I'm supposed to be leading the first group!

Anyone else a little concerned about that...?!?!