07/May/2006 - Roundtrip in the forest SW of Darmstadt - about 16km total.

Instructions

Download this GPX file, Cycling_GPS_Test2.gpx and then Drag/Drop into Google Earth. It is XML format, so you may need to Rt-Click and hit SaveAs. (NB I've removed the first and last track points, so you can't see where I live ;)

I'll try to grab some screenshots of Google Earth, if the copyright allows me to do so, but in the mean time you'll have to stick with Google Earth.

For best effect, turn Terrain OFF, and Roads ON (you'll need to check the box for Roads in Germany).

When finished, don't hit save... it will ask if you want to save the temporary places... say NO, and your Google Earth won't know anything about this any more.

Route

The route was basically following bits of the Darmstadt routes 22, 19, and 20. These have a mix of residential, town, and forest tracks, and cycle lanes alongside motorway.

Points of Interest

001

Not sure what happened here. I was happily cycling along a residential street, and the Garmin tells me I was transported 1 block away, and then back to where I should have been some seconds later! A bit further on, just entering the forest, a similar thing happened

002

Either google maps/earth is wrong, or I floated over the Autobahn (A5/E35 S of Frankfurt), some 50m to the right of a perfectly usable bridge. Well more than usable... it is local cycle route 22. Interestingly, the deviation from the track is better in dense foliage forest than a wide open bridge over an autobahn.

003

Doubled back a little bit twice here, and the GPS realised. First was me following the cycle track to what I thought would be a safer way to cross the main road. In fact it's easier to cross and cycle 50m on the wrong side. Second was me looping back to double check the route as I'd missed a green sign first time.

004

Paused for a few seconds to double check the green route markers.

005

Totally missed the green route marker. Hadn't realised how far I'd gone. Looped back and went to check the route markers down each path. These were the green paint painted on a tree type, rather than proper signs.

006

Stopped for a few minutes to eat a banana. Didn't need the banana, but it was in my pocket and would be eaten anyway, so just decided to eat it anyway. GPS jumps around a bit, and there was a slight deviation from the cycle path which corrected itself. From here it is all fast paved cycle lane, so the number of points is less per distance (obviously based more on time?), so it makes the deviations look bad. Between there and the next bridge, you can even see a cyclist in the aerial image.

007/008/009

These are 3 pedestrian/cycle crossings, where you need to zigzag a bit due to the angles of the roads. Very good job it did for all three.

Stats etc.

My cycle computer told me the route was exactly 16.00km, took me 55mins, but I'll do it much faster next time now that I am familiar with the route. Average Speed = 17.28km/h, Max Speed = 40.3km/h.

GPS is Garmin eTrex Summit, with firmware v2.50. This told me the route was 14.9km total, and altitude min/max of 384 to 612ft (not calibrated). Maybe my cycle computer calibration is out a bit? I've always suspected it was a bit generous.

I really must justify buying a Garmin 60CSx at somepoint. Not only are they more sensitive, but will take a 1gig memory card. I assume they can store tracks at user definable resolution?

Finally, an obligatory link back to my home page... http://www.andysrockets.co.uk

andym.me.uk