Audax rides

Hi, foolishly I've entered this a week after the BFTE, so see you in Windsor.

Do you break down longer rides into separate files for each control? Im having similar problems with my 810 and think a large single file is the issue, especially when its been well mapped out (ie lots of data points).

Wow. Well done. That does sound tough. Must feel good though having made it.

I've figured out why my Garmin was freezing and stalling on my last ride - the track log memory was 99% full. I cleared it and turned off the track recording. Now it's all working fine again. Never ever had any problems with it before so I was a bit worried. My Garmin is the Etrex 20 so takes AA batteries which last for ages.

The longest ride I've done is a 300 and one file was fine. I use a gps track rather than a route and add in the controls as waypoints. I'll generally edit the files visually on a map to do a cursory route check and then edit the actual .gpx file itself in a text editor before it goes on the Garmin. So I'll tend to shave off extra data points and add waypoints for shops etc. I use gpsies.com to do the visual mapping and waypoints part. Then resample to reduce the data points. For text editing I use vim but it's only to edit names and strip out a few tags. It's just an xml data format if you're familiar with that.

No gpx file for the hop garden ride on the 10th, so I'll create my own from the route sheet. That's a whole evening gone. Still, will know the route pretty well.

That's a whole evening gone. Still, will know the route pretty well.

Really? It takes me about 30 minutes to do a GPX file for a 300. Maybe 45 minutes for a route with loads of instructions or has some archaic/shit routesheet nomenclature.

Just don't think of plotting instruction after instruction as that does take ages. Take 4 or 5 instructions at a time and look for clues as to where that point is (road numbers, village names, etc). More than likely the usual routing algorithms (shortest, avoiding motorways, etc) will take the same route. Having a general idea of the locations of the controls is useful too, remember that it's not required to follow the exact route so it doesn't matter if you decide to do 1st left instead of 2nd left if there's little difference between the two.

http://www.gpxeditor.co.uk was good although it's recently introduced a paid premium mode that may have taken with it some of the nicest features. I like this one as it allows you to redo sections in the middle of a plotted route rather than have to undo all the way back and restart.

(FWIW I have an open offer to AUK organisers to create GPX routes and elevation profiles/etc for them if they're not tech savvy. Although the last two I managed to screw up and not deliver due to a combination of mail server problems and RealLife getting in the way.)

I have done OK using a routesheet for the 200 and 300's I have done in the last few months, but find as I get more tired I occasionally miss turns etc, and riding in the dark makes it worse so would like to start looking at garmins. What is the best all round model for Audaxes and touring? I like the sound of AA batteries, but would happily go with rechargeable usb device if the battery last a decent time and the functionality is better.

Edit: I guess there is a GPS thread I should ask this in actually...

There's a very compelling argument for staying basic. The beauty of models that use AA batteries is that they are so readily available. The later model Garmins , 810 and 1000 have lots of novelty features that suck power out of the device (virtual partner, weather updates, Bluetooth etc), you can charge via an external battery on longer rides (anything over 8hrs for my 810) but as charging is slow, it needs to connected from the start and the usb connection isn't particularly secure or waterproof.

Cheers, I'll play around some more with mine

charging is slow, it needs to connected from the start and the usb connection isn't particularly secure or waterproof.

Yeah that sounds annoying, did similar with my phone whilst touring and although it worked there was constant anxiety about how much juice was left in battery pack and phone. Is it just the etrex models that are AA batteries then? Also are there special ones for cycling as the Etrex 20/30s I've seen on ebay look like they are aimed at hiking.

Audax is hiking so these will be fine.

Depending on the GPS/battery-pack/cable the device may switch into "external storage mode" (if it has one) if you plug the battery pack in mid-ride. For my Edge 705 this goes through the "Saving Activity" stuff meaning my ride gets split up into seperate GPX files (not that much of a problem as I know how to recombine them).

For this reason I tend to start off with my GPS plugged in to the battery pack and keep it this way until the battery pack is empty. This is enough to get me round a 400 without a problem. Longer rides tend to involve a sleep stop and so I don't mind about turning off the GPS at this point and/or swapping battery packs.

I'm stuck with the Edge series as I'm a data geek and want my Power data recorded, otherwise I'd swap to an AA battery powered eTrex.

I cracked out of the Heartbeat 400. Not as over the cold as I though I was and as soon as the temperature dropped I ended up feeling pretty shit. Decided to limit my loses and headed south to take the train home. On the LlanfairPG 400 as a replacement.

Also, I've changed plans regarding PBP. I'm not going. I was excited about it at the start of the year but have lost impetus. Instead I've decided to go and to the Tour of Hungary 1400 instead.

Not a ride to undertake unless 100% well. You've already done a PBP in any case.

I find that losing connection with the battery pack mid ride due to potholes, rough surfacing etc is a major pain in the hole as you have a limited time to prevent unit powering down.

Think I'll go with an etrex model when I can afford it then.

Quite fancy getting onto the Hop Garden 100. Anyone know the route, is it relatively doable fixed? If there's only a couple of steep ones I don't mind walking now and again... if there's loads, I might have to use some gears.

Quite fancy getting onto the Hop Garden 100. Anyone know the route, is it relatively doable fixed?

The event page has a GPX file on it: http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/13-205/

You can point something like BikeHike directly at that GPX file:-

http://www.bikehike.co.uk/mapview.php?lnk=http://www.aukweb.net/gps/205g.gpx

I'd take 67" fixed on that, but then I'd take fixed for most stuff. Certainly some hills but a nice big flat section in the middle to recover for the last couple.

Great, thanks @greenbank for the low-down. Exactly the sort of ratio I'd be on.

Useful the way Bikehike lets you track through the elevation profile and a marker moves along the map route... Now I get an idea of where the climbing is.

Anyone doing the Porkers this weekend?

Yes. Taking the car down from Chepstow after the Brevet. Yourself?

Ain't got a ride but might just turn up and join in or EOL if the organiser has a spot.

Friend swears by MotionX app on a smart phone. Allows you to define the area you are riding and download the background map to the handset – so never meet a blank area. Providing you can keep it powered up you are home and dry.