Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.DrWJODonnell
01-26-07, 09:51 PM
Ok, I will try not to be TOO long winded. I am piecing together google earth files of a number of the major races and TTs in my area. These will be put up on the team website and we will give the promotors the option to offer the link. The purpose is to provide racers with just about every bit of info they need - the important "areas" of the race - that is to say: Start and finish lines, registration location, Restroom location, Parking location, elevation profiles, and significant course marks (turns, perhaps significant climbs, caution areas etc.).
I am recommending checking out the Google earth of the high point hill climb found here (http://results.westwoodvelo.com/library/Google%20Earth/New%20Jersey%20Time%20Trial%20Courses/High%20Point%20TT.kmz) for reference. There are others, but High point is probably the shortest to check out the features. Just open the file and you can click into the folder to see the various points of interest. Not yet inserted is the topo link here (http://mikegisler.googlepages.com/HighPointTT.jpg). If you do not have Google earth, it is available for a free download at http://earth.Google.com/ Below, I am including recommended settings to get the most from the Google earth "fly over" so the race can be previewed.
Set up the 'driving directions tour options' in Google earth (Tools-->Options-->"touring" tab) to the following:
Camera tilt angle 75 degrees
Camera range 200 meters
Speed 75
After this is done click 'apply' or 'ok' and then look at the folders. Clicking any of these icons shows where the named items are found. You can also get driving directions to any of these points by clicking on them and entering your location (or zip code).
The BEST feature I have been able to include is the Course link. Double clicking gives you a course overview and once clicked on (single or double) you can then click on the 'play' button or go to Tools-->Play tour. This will use the settings entered above to "Fly" along the route. The route profile is obtained by clicking the web link in the course folder. Make sure that geographic features is selected in the lower right (this is a default setting).
I would be most appreciative if you have any input as to 1) Would this be useful to you at all for your races? 2) What (if any) additional information should be included? 3) Are there any other general recommendations you might have?
Thanks for your help guys (and Gals...Snicklefritz:))
I am recommending checking out the Google earth of the high point hill climb found here (http://results.westwoodvelo.com/library/Google%20Earth/New%20Jersey%20Time%20Trial%20Courses/High%20Point%20TT.kmz) for reference. There are others, but High point is probably the shortest to check out the features. Just open the file and you can click into the folder to see the various points of interest. Not yet inserted is the topo link here (http://mikegisler.googlepages.com/HighPointTT.jpg). If you do not have Google earth, it is available for a free download at http://earth.Google.com/ Below, I am including recommended settings to get the most from the Google earth "fly over" so the race can be previewed.
Set up the 'driving directions tour options' in Google earth (Tools-->Options-->"touring" tab) to the following:
Camera tilt angle 75 degrees
Camera range 200 meters
Speed 75
After this is done click 'apply' or 'ok' and then look at the folders. Clicking any of these icons shows where the named items are found. You can also get driving directions to any of these points by clicking on them and entering your location (or zip code).
The BEST feature I have been able to include is the Course link. Double clicking gives you a course overview and once clicked on (single or double) you can then click on the 'play' button or go to Tools-->Play tour. This will use the settings entered above to "Fly" along the route. The route profile is obtained by clicking the web link in the course folder. Make sure that geographic features is selected in the lower right (this is a default setting).
I would be most appreciative if you have any input as to 1) Would this be useful to you at all for your races? 2) What (if any) additional information should be included? 3) Are there any other general recommendations you might have?
Thanks for your help guys (and Gals...Snicklefritz:))