Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Just following the GPS...

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dcrowell
11-02-09, 08:29 AM
Three of us went on what was supposed to be a road ride. Plenty of gravel roads, but roads none the less. I planned the route with Google and brought my GPS.

We got a bit turned around, but the GPS would show us the way right?

http://picasaweb.google.com/DaveInLouisville/RCCSGravelAndOffroadRide#5399287049812568450
http://picasaweb.google.com/DaveInLouisville/RCCSGravelAndOffroadRide#5399287210525380946
http://picasaweb.google.com/DaveInLouisville/RCCSGravelAndOffroadRide#5399287275128534338
http://picasaweb.google.com/DaveInLouisville/RCCSGravelAndOffroadRide#5399287299756620802

The overall ride turned about to be about 40 miles, but about seven miles of it was slogging through the mud, leaves, and rough terrain. It was a great time, even if our bikes were not meant for that kind of riding.

bbeck
11-02-09, 08:44 AM
Looks like fun.
Homeyba
11-02-09, 10:32 AM
GPs is not always the best thing to place all your bets on. There was a lady and child not to long ago who died near Death valley because she followed her GPS down a dirt road her car had no buisness being on. The GPS system is only as good as the maps that are in the system. It wasn't until just the last year that my house address even appeared on GPS maps. It's still not right but at least it's showing it in the right canyon now.

neilfein
11-02-09, 11:19 AM
A GPS receiver is only as good as its data. When I tried part of my new commuting route a few weeks ago, my Garmin tried to send me down two roads that didn't exist - one was a wooded cliff, the other was somebody's driveway. For the most part, I love my GPS, but I take its routes with a grain of salt.
dcrowell
11-02-09, 11:40 AM
Once became clear it wasn't a road, we knew all bets were off with the GPS. We carried on anyway because our rides are about the sense of adventure.

I certainly know not to blindly follow the GPS, but it can be a handy excuse. :)
AndrewP
11-02-09, 01:59 PM
You should have checked it with Goodle Streetview
dcrowell
11-02-09, 05:36 PM
Andrew:
That ride was in Hoosier National Forest. Other than the highways, those roads aren't on Streetview yet.

Everyone else:
I posted this as a fun story. The three of us enjoyed the ride. I'll be cleaning mud off of things for a while, but no injury came to anyone out of it.
neilfein
11-02-09, 07:00 PM
You should have checked it with Goodle Streetview

Oh, where's the fun in that? :rolleyes:

One of the strengths of a GPS is that it's easy to reroute if a road sucks. That said, I'm a streetview addict.
RedWhiteandRed
11-02-09, 07:10 PM
Wow - that looks like a terrific time - fresh and enjoyable.