OT: A special thanks to the mapping guys.

[Bokkie]

I might not ever make use of Rich Smith's maps of the Caribbean but I certainly applaud the efforts of people like Rich who put the time and energy into what they do. I mention this because I went for a really nice mtb ride this morning. I used the Forerunner 201 on my bike mount and let it silently record my track. When I got home I downloaded it and then uploaded it to a website that converted the data and came back with a map (coarse I admit) but showing exactly where I went. I've attached it here.

Guys like Rich Smith and the others guys who do mapping applications deserve a special thanks. Thanks guys! Your efforts are appreciated!

[Bokkie]

Pox! Forgot to add the attachment. Here it is.

[amw157]

Even though the map doesn't show terrain or elevation (it's not a topo map), you can kinda tell where the hills are, because your speed drops.

Either that or you stopped for a munchie or something.

:p

[Bokkie]

Originally posted by amw157
Even though the map doesn't show terrain or elevation (it's not a topo map), you can kinda tell where the hills are, because your speed drops.

Either that or you stopped for a munchie or something.

:p

I'm at the mercy of the map used by the online visualiser application. There may be others out there that will show the topo detail? I did stop but only when necessary and then to navigate through slippery mud by hauling the bike behind me. The hills on the route are not severe but they do go on and they sap your energy very quickly. I was quite impressed with the accuracy of the Garmin 201.

Hopefully this attachment shows one of the problems I had to deal with. There is a brown section of the track where my speed dropped to virtually a crawl. I was riding on the pavement and there were a lot of cars parked alongside that made it impossible to get back onto the road. Ahead of me was an old lady pushing her bag trolley. The pavement was too narrow to pass her and she was totally deaf as she never heard me creep up behind. So I had no choice but to tuck into her slipstream and idle along at 20cm per second until I could nip past. The devil, as they say, is in the detail, but despite the lack of topo detail, there is a whole story to that track log and I can read it with pinpoint accuracy, even to the place where I stopped for a pee!:D

[Qyd]

With the addition of central america to the caribean package, Rich fills the void Garmin maps have in the area, and he does it for free!!! I can see him working for Garmin soon.