GPS rides - how do they work

[Wayne Potgieter]

Ok, i am new to this concept, so forgive my ignorance.

 

It seems as if the future of big MTB rides are moving towards self navigation over the current marked course model.

 

So recently i have upgraded from a Garmin Forerunner 910XT to a Garmin Edge 810.

 

After spending some time today at Garmin to upload the TOPO and REC mapping (which is stupidly not standard on the device) I am even more confused as to how this will work.

 

When cycling - bearing in mind this is MTB - on unnamed dirt roads etc, how does the GPS tell you where to go?

 

It cant say "turn left on Malibongwe drive" so do you just follow some arbitrary little line?

 

Has anyone done a gps marked ride before that can shed some light on the situation?

 

Ideally i would like to know how this all works and have some personal experience before any major events.

 

Thanks

[udxcob]

I would imagine the organisers give you the gpx file before the event, you load it to your garmin and then follow the route.

I may be wrong though

[Wayne Potgieter]

Yeah, i get that.

 

But how?

 

Does it tell you "turn left at the green tree with the funny looking branches"

 

Or do you spend your whole event staring at this little boxy thing trying to follow a stupid line whilst sweat is running in your eyes because you are doing your first Joburg2C and you havent trained nearly enough.

 

see my point?

[udxcob]

Totally

[marko35s]

I can see this being confusing.

"Right do I opt for shortest distance, fastest route or avoid tolls?"

[RexFuzzle]

You have to follow the little line... Depending on the gpx file there may be some distance between marker points which gives you some "creativity" in your route... Roof of Africa etc work like this and unless you're first its not so much of a problem cause you just follow tracks, but the first couple of guys have a disadvantage cause they have to keep track carefully.

Adds another dynamic to the race, but also costs more cause you need a device of sorts. win-loose if you ask me.

[Jakkals.]

Basically from what ive seen, you can set "points of interest" / way points on the map before saving it. and then you need to have all the right things showing on your garmin display so you can see after how many meters do you turn left or right.

 

and once you are of route, it will tell you that.

[Redlight]

Why do you want to complicate things? Why don't you just go out and enjoy riding your bike

Not everyone can afford to get a 6k unit. Therefore you will not find any nav only races.

A910xt is a tri-athletes watch, we usually know our wheel size and where we are going.

Mountain bikers like to complicate the **** out of a very enjoyable sport.

 

To answer your question. Yes. They will have to give you the GPx file to load beforehand.

If you had learnt the ins and outs of the 910, you would have known how to put the unit into nav mode, and navigate via co ordinates, or saved route.

Enjoy the 810 it's a very cool toy, I too have one of those.

[Redlight]

Basically from what ive seen, you can set "points of interest" / way points on the map before saving it. and then you need to have all the right things showing on your garmin display so you can see after how many meters do you turn left or right.

 

and once you are of route, it will tell you that.

You best stay at home.... Or we might have to send wsar to find you. Lol

[Wayne Potgieter]

Why do you want to complicate things? Why don't you just go out and enjoy riding your bike

Not everyone can afford to get a 6k unit. Therefore you will not find any nav only races.

A910xt is a tri-athletes watch, we usually know our wheel size and where we are going.

Mountain bikers like to complicate the **** out of a very enjoyable sport.

 

To answer your question. Yes. They will have to give you the GPx file to load beforehand.

If you had learnt the ins and outs of the 910, you would have known how to put the unit into nav mode, and navigate via co ordinates, or saved route.

Enjoy the 810 it's a very cool toy, I too have one of those.

joberg to c next year is nav only...hence my questions

[Redlight]

They will give you the file

[DIPSLICK]

Personally my eyes are not 20/20 the idea of following some thin yellow lines off road at speeds does not sound like fun, I don't even watch my speed

[Wayne Potgieter]

Personally my eyes are not 20/20 the idea of following some thin yellow lines off road at speeds does not sound like fun, I don't even watch my speed

i only have one flippin eye.

 

do you have any idea how hard it is to look at two things with one eye??????

[DIPSLICK]

I have gone back on my own loopes before trying to find where I went again not my idea of fun,,,I suppose us back markers can just follow the dust clouds upfront

[DIPSLICK]

i only have one flippin eye.

 

do you have any idea how hard it is to look at two things with one eye??????

U mean like bridge crossings at nite

[Wayne Potgieter]

U mean like bridge crossings at nite

hardy har har.......

 

 

yes...exactly