Adventure Routes New Zealand Website

[cooneyr]

Gidday all. My idea for a web site has finally come to fruition albeit a limited starting point. Basically the idea is that I create a web page with a google maps map which I have overlaid adventure riding routes. The route data is based on GPS tracks (i.e. data recorded by a GPS when out in the field) or routes created manually using Google earth (i.e. KML/KMZ files). I've added a description and any important information to each route (click on a route). Also, you can download a GPX file for each route (see the GPS file link in the description window).

Enough rambling - check out www.advroutes.org.nz

If you have any gps routes or tracks or any KML/KMZ files please please send them too me at advroutes@gmail.com. I'm really keen to get more routes on the site - I know there are plenty of you out there with GPS data. I especially need information for the North Island as I dont get up there very often. I need a short description and a rating for each route. See the site for a description of the ratings and examples of the descriptions.

Cheers R

[marks]

That is really cool - and just what we need.

Thanks for taking the time to create it

It creates an excuse to go and ride our favorite tracks - so we can record them for the site

Anyone got recommendations on a good bike friendly GPS and some idea of costs?

[cooneyr]

That is really cool - and just what we need.

Thanks for taking the time to create it

Thanks and thank you for your part in it too.

It creates an excuse to go and ride our favorite tracks - so we can record them for the site

You got that right. I just need my bike back (currently being serviced) and a GPSr (surprise surprise I dont currently own one).

Anyone got recommendations on a good bike friendly GPS and some idea of costs?

I think all Garmin eTrex models would work as long as you get a download cable. Even the basic eTrex (less than $200 from some places now) can record tracks (read up on the difference between tracks and routes) and I believe (though you should confirm this) that you can upload a route and get the eTrex to follow it. Would be really nice to have the ability to reverse the route in the GPSr though as you will not always be following the route the direction it was created.

I'm personally after a eTrex Legend HCx. Basically the same as a GPSmap60Cx (highly recommended by others on KB) but missing external antenna socket and Garmin's waterproof cable socket and it is about $450 instead of $850.

Cheers R

[NordieBoy]

Cool.
I like the difficulty level colour codeing.

I'm going to force myself to work my way through the Ken Sibley tracks up this end

[cooneyr]

You can all thank me now - I've just given you the perfect excuse to go riding and to buy a GPS

One thing I need to make clear (and I'll put this on the site at lunchtime) - it is much much easier/quicker for me if you give me data that is for a single route only. While I wont say no to the data if you give me data for a whole ride i.e. home to home with all the interesting and not so interesting bits in between, I've got a lot more work to do to extract just the route itself (if I even know enough about the route to be able to do that!).

Cheers R

[Zukin]

I think all Garmin eTrex models would work as long as you get a download cable. Even the basic eTrex (less than $200 from some places now) can record tracks (read up on the difference between tracks and routes) and I believe (though you should confirm this) that you can upload a route and get the eTrex to follow it. Would be really nice to have the ability to reverse the route in the GPSr though as you will not always be following the route the direction it was created.

I'm personally after a eTrex Legend HCx. Basically the same as a GPSmap60Cx (highly recommended by others on KB) but missing external antenna socket and Garmin's waterproof cable socket and it is about $450 instead of $850.

Cheers R

Hi there

keep an eye out on Trade Me for the Garmin 60, they often have them at $1 reserve
I brought one just a few weeks back for less than $500

It was to replace my ailing Etrex Legend that had completely worn out

The easiest way to remember the difference between tracks and routes is

Tracks are recorded by the GPS (shows you where you have been)
Routes are made by you to go into the GPS (to show you where you are to go)
And yes all GPS units (Garmin anyway) can reverse the track or route

Cheers Scott

[cooneyr]

Hi there

keep an eye out on Trade Me for the Garmin 60, they often have them at $1 reserve
I brought one just a few weeks back for less than $500

It was to replace my ailing Etrex Legend that had completely worn out

The easiest way to remember the difference between tracks and routes is

Tracks are recorded by the GPS (shows you where you have been)
Routes are made by you to go into the GPS (to show you where you are to go)
And yes all GPS units (Garmin anyway) can reverse the track or route

Cheers Scott

Thats a very nice price on a Gpsmap 60csx.

Thanks for putting the blurb up about the tracks vs routes. I was going to do it but trying to limit net time at the moment. I spent about 15 hours over the weekend learning basic HTML and playing with the web site

Cheers R

[buggsubique]

Good effort getting it up and running Cooneyr!

I'll gladly be a contributor to this (once my bike is off blocks!!). I often chuck the GPSMAP76 in the backpack with an external antenna strapped to my shoulder strap for good coverage.

As an aside, I'm playing with the idea of a GPS speedo at the moment - nothing flash, but a purposebuilt aftermarket style speedo with digital readout of speed, dist covered, location (in an emergency), possibly RPM and temp. It won't have all the route stuff / waypoints as it will only use a GPS chip for getting speed and distance, but it will be "GPS accurate". Any thoughts, comments / advice? It will be a while coming (hopefully a prototype by end this year) but I have all the parts now - just need to design the software...

[NordieBoy]

I spent about 15 hours over the weekend learning basic HTML and playing with the web site

Cheers R

You need to get out and ride a bit...

[Zukin]

Hi

Looks good R

By the way for those that don't have software to upload to your GPS, this is a great program, and its free

http://www.easygps.com/default.asp

Simply download the program above and when you download the GPX files from the ADV routes site, it will ask you to save them, I save all my maps in one folder, then you simply open it and it will open Easy GPS with all the track info in it, then you simply send the track to your to your GPS

Another great site (NZ one) is this one http://www.pcpages.com/graemewi/ it offers free maps of NZ, it is very good too
I had it on my old Etrex legend, and now I have the auto routing maps on my 60csx

May want to add the links to the site??

Cheers Scott

[Zukin]

Good effort getting it up and running Cooneyr!

I'll gladly be a contributor to this (once my bike is off blocks!!). I often chuck the GPSMAP76 in the backpack with an external antenna strapped to my shoulder strap for good coverage.

As an aside, I'm playing with the idea of a GPS speedo at the moment - nothing flash, but a purposebuilt aftermarket style speedo with digital readout of speed, dist covered, location (in an emergency), possibly RPM and temp. It won't have all the route stuff / waypoints as it will only use a GPS chip for getting speed and distance, but it will be "GPS accurate". Any thoughts, comments / advice? It will be a while coming (hopefully a prototype by end this year) but I have all the parts now - just need to design the software...

Been there done that
I have a picture of the unit below
I wasnt that hard to do really

[Zukin]

Oh and one other thing R

You may want to add to the site somewhere, a Track update link?
So that if someone goes through a track, and it has changed significantly they can send the site the new info and it can be changed if necessary?

Your thoughts

Cheers Scott

[deanohit]

Looks good mate.
Will do some of the trails round here for you if you want, only got an old GPS though, so might not be all that accurate. Pretty easy to find the tracks though if you follow the right road.

[Gizzit]

Anyone got recommendations on a good bike friendly GPS and some idea of costs?

I can recommend a Garmin Zummo 550. They are about $1650 or there abouts in NZ. I got one in from the UK for $820.00 You do then need to get a NZ map to install on it, but as others have said, there are free map downloads available. I had a bit of trouble with figuring out the free software, and bought a complete NZ map with all the voice prompts, etc. It was $295 from a local store.
Pricey ..... but we use it in the car and on my bike. Its waterproof, and has all the bells and whistles.
Just for your info. There are probably other cheaper options, but the Zummo was at a very good price I thought.
Cheers,
Grant.

[Zukin]

Yes the Garmin Zumo is good, but not for adventure riding, it wont navigate when you are off the roads

Marks go for the Garmin 60cx (or csx as these seem to be cheaper on TM but are normally more expensive)
They will do everything you need to do

Use it in the car and get auto routing (like Navman etc)
Use it on the bike and use it on the road and off the road
It takes Micro SD cards, so you can have more than 1 set of maps (like I do )

Just damn good