Mapping and GPS Tools
Some of my favorite or interesting links are included
here:
- Google
Maps. This example goes to Justin's Brookline
home. Note: the address lookup put the marker in the street,
approximately five meters west of the home. There's better
accuracy when using geo coordinates.
- Measurement
Templates - I created a set of three Excel
spreadsheet templates the may be modified and used for
calculating calibration, splits and adjustments for course
measurements.
-
Fly around the globe with Google
Earth.
-
ACME Mapper - Add additional functions to the Google
Maps.
- GMap
to GPX - Allows you to extract datapoints from a Google
Map and create a GPX, suitable for loading on a GPS using a
javascript bookmarklet. This may prove to be be very useful.
For example, a race director could plot his proposed course,
in detailm on America's Running Routes. Then, using the
GMap to GPX, you could extract the datapoints to a
GPX file, upload to a GPS and use the GPS to locate the
course.
- Virtual
Google Earth - Allows you to add coordinates and
descriptions in Google Maps, and convert to XML, JavaScript,
HTML and KML code that may be pasted into a text file. Also
import XML and KML files.
- Gmap Pedometer - On of the original applications
of Google Maps. Plot a route, save it and use GMap to GPX to
export GPS datapoints.
- FlashEarth - Uses Google Map satellite imagery
and Windows Virtual Earth images for added detail. I was able
to locate my mother's home in Twin Mtn, NH.
- Virtual Earth - Microsoft's web
application is similar to Google Maps. Detailed bird's eye
view mages may be viewed from the north or other ordinal. The
image in the link is my home.
Other Measurement Tools
- Bicycle Cyclecomputer Calibration: (rough) You
can fine tune your settings by riding the known distance and checking the
reading. Divide the actual distance by the cyclometer's mileage reading, then
multiply your calibration number by the result to get a corrected calibration
number.
| New Calibration Number |
= |
Actual Distance
Cyclometer Reading |
* Old Calibration Number |
- Bicycle Cyclecomputer Calibration: (accurate) A better way is to use the
JO counter on a calibration course. The formula is:
| Wheel Circumference (mm) |
= |
Counts per Revolution * Length Cal Course (mm) |
| Counts |
For example, your 6-digit Jones/Oreth/Laurent Counter advances 29 counts per
revolution. You measured 4322 counts on a 1000' calibration course. Therefore,
your bicycle wheel circumference must be 2045 mm. (i.e. 29 cpr * 304808mm
/ 4322 cts)
Monitor the RRTC.NET Website
# # #
