Touring - Geocaching

Since some of you are using GPS as your ciclo computer, is anybody here into Geocaching?

I just learned about it recently, sounds pretty interesting to add as part of a regular touring trip.

Never would bother with it for touring. I don't like stopping,

I did some with my kids. Should have been perfect, but they hated leaving stuff behind, could never choose something to take, and are hard to get moving in the first place.

Since some of you are using GPS as your ciclo computer, is anybody here into Geocaching?

I just learned about it recently, sounds pretty interesting to add as part of a regular touring trip.

I've found over 300 geocaches but not while long-distance touring. My next tour will certainly involve some geocaching if I can maintain the discipline to stick to a pre-determined route. I've found probably 80 to 100 of my local geocaches riding my bicycle to the locations.

I think the idea is awesome. I almost always just sign the log finding geocaches except when my daughter is with me.

One thing I love doing with my GPS is uploaded the tracks to Street Atlas, then merging them with all my other rides in 2006 showing all the roads I have ridden for the year. Then I try to find roads that I haven't ridden for my next ride. I live in a rural area so I'm up to a 12 mile radius on riding every paved road.

I agree, the idea is great. Maybe more clever (not necessarly more expensive) items could make finding the box even more fun.

I may consider doing a few around town...

I've been considering trying out geocaching for a while. I have a gps unit that my parents bought me for touring, which I never use. I figure I might as well put the thing to good use.

Geocaching from a bike is a good way to add a little variety to your local riding. I prefer hunting survey benchmarks over caches though.

I prefer hunting survey benchmarks over caches though.

Yea, I do that also while bike riding, found over 200 of them. I've just started going after BM that aren't listed on geocaching.com/mark because I've run out of local ones to find from my house. Some BM, especially older ones can be much harder to find that geocaches.. especially if they have been buried under dirt and debree for many years.

Geocaching is awesome. You get to see new things in your own city that you may not have known existed and go on mini adventures. After geocaching for a few years, I've moved on to terracaching which is the same thing, only caches must first be approved by your sponsors before they're listed. It also incorporates a point system.

"Maybe more clever (not necessarly more expensive) items could make finding the box even more fun."

It's really not about trading things, or even finding the box. It's looking for the box, the journey so to speak that counts, kind of like touring. Although, first to find (FTF) prizes can be pretty cool.

Geocaching is the only reason I even own a mountain bike. The best part about caching by bike is not having to find a parking spot. I do most of my caching at night and I always get nervous leaving my car out at the edge of the woods or local park, (might get a ticket, if the park is closed; might get towed, stolen or broken into).
It can be addicting and there are hides for nearly any level of terrain.