Topics

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GPS & Digital Data Discussion / Loading Lewis and Clark Data onto Garmin HcX

« on: May 30, 2010, 11:13:55 pm »

I just bought a Garmin HcX.  I want to use it to guide me on my tour on the Lewis and Clark route this summer.  I have some questions.

There are several folders that I unzipped.  I assume each is a section of the entire trail.  I want to go from Portland to Great Falls, Montana.  Do I check the contents of each folder and rename them to keep them straight?  It seems obvious, but so far I'm so confused that nothing seems obvious.

When I open one of the folders there are a bunch of routes included.  Do I rename them so I can tell what they are?

I understand that the data is loaded for people going east to west and I'm going the other direction.  How do I reverse things so I can follow the route turn by turn?

The Lewis and Clark has a bunch of options, including going on the Washington side of the Columbia or the Oregon side, some different routes in the Rockies, etc.  How does the gps handle this.  Do I load them all and choose "on the fly" or do I have to decide which way I intend to go in advance and only load that data?

Any detailed directions would be wonderful.  Left to myself I might be able to figure all this out in time, but I'm leaving in a month and I won't have much time to experiment between now and then.

Thanks!

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GPS & Digital Data Discussion / Topo or Street Maps for Lewis and Clark?

« on: May 04, 2010, 06:40:41 pm »

I'm thinking of buying a Garmin Vista HcX for my trip on the Lewis and Clark trail this summer.  (I'm planning on starting in Portland, Oregon, and going as far as Great Falls, Montana.  If I buy a Garmin I know I'll also have to buy software.  Which would be more useful, the Topo map or the Street map?

I want to enter all the ACA gps data so that I won't miss a turn (like I did a couple of times on the Northern Tier.)

Any advice - not just on this question, but on gps for bikes in general, or on the Vista HcX?

Thanks!

3

Youth Bicyle Travel / Youth Bike Clubs to Correspond?

« on: February 07, 2007, 08:54:26 pm »

I've recently started a bike club for kids from 6th-8th grades.  It has been very enthusiastically received by both kids and their parents.  We've gone on two rides so far, and had two training sessions on riding safely and riding longer distances efficiently.  Everything has gone very well so far.

I'm curious if there are any other similar clubs out there.  If so, I'd like to hear from you.  I'm curious how my experience so far compares to yours.

-Gordon Snapp
 The Back Bay Bikers
 Central Coast of California

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General Discussion / Amtrak Boxes for Tall Bikes?

« on: January 06, 2006, 02:46:33 pm »

Question:  Do the Amtrak-supplied bike boxes fit exceptionally large bikes?

Background: I'm a tall guy - 6'4" - and I have a tall bike.  (I'm not sure of the size.)  I bought it from Nashbar many years ago and, luckily, saved the box.  In 2004 I took a bike tour down the Oregon Coast.  I rode Amtrak to Portland.  I thought I'd box my own bike to make sure it was done properly.  I went to the local, high-volume bike shop and asked for the biggest box they had.  I brought it home and, alas, my bike was too big.  I had to haul the original box down from the rafters of my garage, and use it.

When I got to Portland I dragged the box out onto the sidewalk outside the train station and started assembling.  When I finished I had no recourse but to put my old box into the nearest dumpster.

I would like to take another tour this summer, and may have to use Amtrak.  Since the big box I had is gone, I'm wondering if anyone knows whether or not their boxes will fit a big bike like mine.

Thanks in advance!