More Tools

Last time I talked about tools and how they can help us with training--or in my case, just collecting numbers about my rides. Today, I'll add two FREE bits of software that help with that.

First, up, Google Earth. If you haven't played with Google Earth, you really need to download it now. It's free. What's nice is that it'll import route. What you need is either a way to convert whatever your GPS outputs into a .KML file, or you'll need a GPS that will export in that format. Run.GPS, that I mentioned last time, exports in .KML format. I used it last night on our weekly night ride--more about the rides next week. Importing the file gives this (click on the image for the big version):

Now, once it's in, you can change your viewing angle, so the hills stand out a bit more, like this:

You know, at the time it didn't feel like we went around the hill. I thought we climbed it. Huh.

The downside? Either the photography or the routing isn't perfect. Probably a combination of the two, though with tree cover, I'd bet money that most of the error is the GPS. This is what I'm talking about, you can see the gravel road we were on, but the route overlay doesn't follow it quite right.

All in all, this is a very cool way to visualize and share your rides--whether on the road or off road.

The second little bit of software is a website. T. introduced me to Veloroutes.org. This routing website is built for bikes. It allows you to create routes, with an elevation chart, and then export the route in Garmin's .GPX format. Once created, a route looks like this:

Both Google Earth--to visualize the ride you've done--and Veloroutes.org--to visualize a route your haven't done, yet--are ways to share your riding area with others and to help you explore your area a little better.