Modern Vespa

Created article Riding and Touring Routes

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Follow up 9/12/2009

I forgot all about this for a while. Well, I have promises to keep so here I go.

I've constructed an article listing several resources along with a basic structure that can be added to by fellow MV'ers, all expandable as more info from comes in from forum members.

If you want to add a link and don't know how, just post and I'll take care of it for you. Thanks.

Added a new site with user-supplied tours and GPS maps:
Sunday Morning Rides.

Started a book section, mostly in regard to touring preparation.

I recently had an education regarding the incompatibility of different types of GPS files available for download with different GPS devices and mapping programs. Links added for those who need to convert route, waypoint, and track files to a type they can work with.

Thanks! I'm liking this article.

You're going to love this...if it works...

Google Maps can send basic directions to a GPS, but so far the capability has been limited to business addresses only. But, if you go here...

http://www.elsewhere.org/journal/gmaptogpx/#

...you can add the small link to your bookmarks or favorites toolbar.
Plot your directions on Google Maps and then click on the bookmark.
A text .gpx file appears over the map, ready for copy/paste.

I didn't add it to the article yet because I just found out about it and haven't had much time to play with it. Might be fun.

Works with IE7 and Mapsource. Choose the route option, copy the text produced, save as txt file, open it in Mapsource, then "Recalculate route".

Nice find, thank-you.

I've been using that feature for a year now. It does work. I plan routes on Google maps and then convert them to a gpx file and then put it on my GPS. Works like a charm.

Cool. 8)

Since we know it works as advertised, I'll write it up and stick it in the article...right after I get back from completing today's honey-do list.

Thanks for the input.

No problem, if it wasn't for that conversion tool, I would have had a hard time planning all the groups ride that I led last year for the club.

The Google Maps to GPX converter info has been added.

I remember spending hours carefully planning my back-roads route to Amerivespa '08 on Google Maps and printing the directions to bring along on the trip.

That was pre-GPS/MapSource for me.

I saved the directions in my bookmarks against the day I might need to follow portions of the trip again: There were more destinations than just Amerivespa along the way...access to the BRP at Roanoke, Deals Gap, etc.. Places I may want to visit again using the same routes.

Parts of the original maps I printed were lost or damaged due to the rain along the way and the rest are not in great condition.

Now I can just bring up those Google Maps and convert the routes with this program for storage on my computer. I love it.