BIGHORN TRAIL RACE, SOLAR ECLIPSE EDITION, AUGUST 18 2017

[aarond]

SPOT signup is here:  https://form.jotformpro.com/trackleaders/bighorn17

[youngmason]

So I need some serious help with the GPX. I have a brand new Garmin etrex 20x and don't know how to use it. From what I've read, here's the steps I need to take:
1. Download a base map onto my PC. What base map would work best for this race? Can someone simply send me a link to a good map?
2. Put the base map on a microSD card?
3. Plug the microSD into the Garmin?
4. Download the GPX onto PC, load into SD, load into Garmin?

I would love to do this "race", how many people are you expecting?

[aarond]

So I need some serious help with the GPX. I have a brand new Garmin etrex 20x and don't know how to use it. From what I've read, here's the steps I need to take:
1. Download a base map onto my PC. What base map would work best for this race? Can someone simply send me a link to a good map?
2. Put the base map on a microSD card?
3. Plug the microSD into the Garmin?
4. Download the GPX onto PC, load into SD, load into Garmin?

I would love to do this "race", how many people are you expecting?

Having never used a gps, it will probably take a little bit to navigate with it.  This is the kind of course where it is best to keep the gps screen on all the time so that you are aware of upcoming turns.  Make sure the backlight is turned off to preserve battery life.  Also make sure that "track is up," not "north up."  When you are riding it is a good idea to stay zoomed in to about 300 feet so you know exactly where the turns are.  I have never had much use for the underlying base map, but simply follow the track.  I know that you can download map tiles onto your gps using topofusion (topofusion.com).  I don't remember how to do this offhand, but it is explained in the "help" section.  I think it was also covered in aztrail prep thread a few years ago.  Bighorntrailrace.blogspot has info on downloading the Big Horn F'S map onto your phone via Avanza maps.  You can also load the track onto this app as a backup.  I also have never loaded up a microhd card, but it isn't a bad idea for backup.  To load the track, I open the file folder containing the track, then I plug in the Garmin.  When the Garmin registers with the computer and the Garmin screen pops up I click on the Garmin folder, which opens up a few options including "gpx." Now make sure that both windows are on the screen (the one containing the track and the Garmin window) then simply click and drag the track into the gpx folder.  There are several other ways to load the track, but this is how I do it.

Please send me an email at awdenberg@Yahoo.com and I will send the track.  Both bikemap and justgoride offer a download track which is not quite as accurate as the one I will email.  They simplify it a bit too much.

Cheers!

[youngmason]

Ok thanks I'll work on this this weekend. Sounds like we've got 3 hats in the ring? Let's figure out the shuttle. I'm coming from Big Sky, so could drive through Yellowstone and Cody or Bozeman/Billings. Where's everyone else coming from?  Call me at 4064512202

[aarond]

ridewithgps.com stores the track file accurately, it can be found here:  https://ridewithgps.com/trips/17356982

[youngmason]

Ok, I have the map on my etrex20x!!!! RideWithGPS has a simple export option directly to the plugged in Garmin, phew! Is it larger than 10,000 points? It's not going to cut out on me partway through, right? Getting the back up onto my iphone now...

[aarond]

Ok, I have the map on my etrex20x!!!! RideWithGPS has a simple export option directly to the plugged in Garmin, phew! Is it larger than 10,000 points? It's not going to cut out on me partway through, right? Getting the back up onto my iphone now...

Yes, I used the "simplify/spine" function on topofusion and set it to 9,983 points.  The download from ridewithgps.com also has 9,983 points.  You are right though, more than 10k points may result in the error you described.  In any event, I would still zoom in and follow the track to both "study" the course and make sure the file loaded properly.

[youngmason]

How do I load the track onto the Avenza map?

[aarond]

How do I load the track onto the Avenza map?

You need a URL to load it onto Avenza, which ride withgps doesn't have.  Instead, save the track to your phone, then download free app "gpx viewer"  ( https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/gpx-viewer/id880510678?mt=8 ) and open the track with this app.

[aarond]

All starters: don't forget to check into ten sleep brewing for a free beer!

[taprider]

Camping on medicine mtn (outside sacred area) for some acclimating tonight

[Adam Alphabet]

Camping on medicine mtn (outside sacred area) for some acclimating tonight

Get it Rod! All the best out there!

[taprider]

Having trouble at altitude
Ok down low