It’s no secret that I’m a fairly big geek who also enjoys mountain biking so when I found Map My Ride the consummate nerd inside me was thrilled. Map my ride is an excellent program for mapping out hiking & biking trails using your gps or an easy to use online mapping tool.

I like to use Easy GPS to pull GPX files from my eTrex. It’s easy to use and before you know it you’ll be saving your routes and sharing them or not with the community.

How Do I Transfer Files From My GPS Unit?

Your going to need a couple pieces of hardware to start off with. Obviously a GPS Unit. I use a Garmin eTrex that’s served me well over the years so I’ll explain using what I know. You’ll need a data transfer cable to get coordinate information from you unit.

You’ll also need a program for pulling your files. That’s where Easy GPS comes into play. Easy GPS is a free program for downloading, editing and backing up your GPS files.

Once you’ve installed easy GPS it’s very simple to pull info. Simply click on the receive button at the top of the Easy GPS console and select the info you want to pull to your computer. You will end up with a GPX file.

GPX (the GPS eXchange Format) is a data format for exchanging GPS data between programs, and for sharing GPS data with other users. Unlike other data files, which can only be understood by the programs that created them, GPX files actually contain a description of what’s inside them, allowing anyone to create a program that can read the data within.

How Do I Upload GPX Files to Map My Ride?

1. Sign up for an account at Map My Ride.
2. Click on the, “Map New Ride”, button at the top of the page.
3. You’ll come to a page with tools and options. Click on the Import button in the toolbar and select, “From .GPX File”.
4. You’ll be promted to find your file and the program does the rest.

Once you’ve uploaded you gpx file you can add features to your map. Where to stop for food, water, bathrooms, attractions, etc. You can also save your routes for future workout purposes. Not only that, but from the Map My Ride website you can search for other people in your area and download their workout routes. Easy, fun and handy.

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Hello again fellow single trackers. We had a great ride last night out at Stoney Creek and being the geek I am I have some digital content to share. I’m thinking this might end up being one of our home trail systems. The terrain out here can be a little challenging. There is a fair amount of up hill, but the pay offs are great. Lots of great down hill runs inlcuding jumps, log pyramids and some sweet carved trails. A definite, “must visit”, in my book.

The place is huge so don’t forget to load up the camelback with water and set a waypoint before you head out. With 4,461 acres of prime recreational lands, this top-rated park’s scenic, hilly terrain surrounds beautiful 500-acre Stony Creek Lake. Park features include a nature center, a hike-bike trail, beaches, boat launch facilities, a disc golf course and an 18-hole regulation golf course.

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Shane and I finally got out and put in some decent mileage yesterday in Rochester. Below are a few shots from our ride down the Clinton River single tracks. Be on the look out for our new biking website soon, Mountain Bike Society.

From the looks of Google Weather we got in the last ride we’re going to get for the next few days.

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I’ve been spending some time combing over the internet for biking blogs as I have a new project in the works with homeboy Shane. Check out the link roll below for some cool biking web sites and be on the lookout for our new brainchild, Mountain Bike Society.

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Some multi-media goodness from Yesterday’s ride out at Bloomer Park. Thanks Map My Ride, YouTube and Flickr.

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Here are some pics from the last few days along with a super cool new feature which I’ll be reviewing soon called Map My Ride. It’s a neat online application that can import GPX files from your GPS and trace your biking or hiking routes.

It will tell you mileage, elevation, calculate calories burned and even let you mark your own points of interest such as places to get water, rest, eat, etc. You also have the option to create your own route by hand (see below).

My new tires which I’m completely thrilled with. Thanks Squidoo!

Thorns from this weekend which I was less than thrilled with.

This is why my legs are so torn up right now.

If You Liked That Try These

Bloomer Park River Ride Suffering From A Long Winter

Pics From Bloomer Park
Bloomer Park -Rochester, MI
There Goes An Asshole by Shank Bone Mystic

Repairing And Removing Wheels

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There’s a stretch of trail I frequent that resides in and outside of Bloomer Park. It runs down both sides of the Clinton river in Rochester and ends up by Yates Cider Mill. Some great little technical trails blazed by salmon fisherman of all people.

There’s a lot of quick runs, log pyramids and down right awesome scenery out here. However, if you do any riding out this way watch yourself. There are a lot of trees down due to incliment winter weather, but mostly there’s a ton of beaver-downed trees. See pics below.

This is just one corner close to the damn near Dequindre. Keep your eyes on the trail. This one snuck up on us pretty quick. I’m not sure why they peel the bark off these trees.

I need some leg armor. Not that this has anything to do with trail conditions. I just seem to have a knack for grinding my shins up good. This was taken the same day.

View Larger Map

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Once again Specialized has gone over the top with a very cool Flash website. Complete with 3d animation and video this site points out the science behind Specialized’s suspension technology. Though not officially launched in the US until Monday Members of the Specialized Riders Club were shot a sneak peek.

Check it out >>
Other cool stuff by Specialized >>

Register for an account here.
www.specialized.com/register >>