A Bicycle for Our Minds

In light of the recent retirement of the legendary Steve Jobs, I share with you an insightful quotation comparing computers to the bicycle:

Danny Macaskill - Industrial Revolutions - Simply Amazing

Nothing I can say will make this video any better than it already is.

MapMyRIDE vs. MapItPronto: a Garmin User's Perspective

For the past several months, I have been using MapMyRIDE for plotting out / finding rides and formatting the track for my Garmin Edge 305 (essentially replaced by the Edge 500). 


MapMyRIDE


The MapMyRIDE (MMR) user interface is Google-maps based, yet lacks the BICYCLING layer available directly from Google maps. I typically have Google maps open, with my bike-path-enhanced track planned out, while manually copying this route into MMR. I can, however, snap to roads and major trails as with Google maps, with additional features such as the ability to more easily draw a loop, lollipop, or an out-and-back track, etc. Climb data is analyzed, and any significant climbs are categorized, similar to the Grand Tours. Since I've ridden several, I should know, right? This data can then be exported into GPS-compatible formats. The Garmin wants *.CRS or *.TCX formats for importing the files, and MMRprovides this option:

NOT!!!!!!!!!!!

"Coming Soon!" has been the answer for MONTHS. Lame. So, I export the file as *.GPX:

Then, I go to Gpsies.com  to convert the file to *.CRS. Recently, I have been mapping longer rides, 75 + miles. By the time MMRmakes a *.GPX file for a century, the file size is 830kb, then coverted to *.CRS by Gpsies to a file size of 6mb. This is larger than the Garmin can handle. Lame. What to do.....

Googled stuff . . . 

MapItPronto

I decided to try out this MapItPronto (MIP), after I read some buzz. As with my experience with MMR, this user interface is Google-maps based (sans bicycle layer, of course). So I plot out a route, and go to convert the file, only to find this:

*.CRS file with no conversion!!!

So far so good. But what about the file size? 140kb. By my math, 140kb<6mb, which the Garmin can handle EASILY. One can also enter a desired average speed. Nice touch. 

Therefore, I no longer use MMR. MIP definitely lacks the social networking-based usership that MMR has fostered, but the functionality of MIP wins for me. I'm even willing to search for existing routes in MMR and replot them in MIP so I can actually use them on my GPS. Happy. 

Next, I'll tell you about the Tour de Tonka century, the track for which I downloaded from MIP . . . 

Tubus Twine Shellacking, ala Rivendell

I have been riding for a few weeks now with the Arkel Cam-Lock pannier hardware. After a few days, I thought to eliminate metal-on-metal contact caused by the lower hook. My go-to lately for such an issue is hemp twine and Shellac. Using the "Rivendell" method* for twining handlebar tape, I twined the lower bar of the Tubus Carry rack:

I presume that the indentations in the Shellacked twine indicates potential long-term wear prevention against the titanium Tubus. And I think it looks sharp.

Today's reason for Why I Ride a bike: The Casseroll carries what I need it to in the manner I want it to.

*

Contest Audit Trail

Of course, I planned on posting the audit trail for the contest. Here it is!

1. I entered the name of everyone who submitted a response
2. Used the =rand() function to generate a unique number in between 0 and 1 for each person
3. Copied and pasted these outputs as values ALT + ESV!
4. Sorted from smallest to largest
5. Manually ordered the list from 1-12
6. Used the =randbetween(1,12) function to determine the winner
7. Congratulations, Gail!

Excel don't lie. Thank you all for the comments! I agree with what many of you shared about not being able to adequately describe Why You Ride into a few short sentences. This is precisely why I blog about my daily encounters with my evolving reasons for Why I Ride. 

And the Winner Is . . .

Gail! Congrats! Lmk which color you desire for your new bag.

Almost to 10,000! Comment to win Black Rose Bag Tool Wrap

One of my favorite additions to the Casseroll has been from Black Rose Bags. The quality of the bag is fantastic, and they're great people to do business with. In honor of receiving 10,000 hits in about 10 months, I'm hosting a comment contest giveaway to win this tool wrap:

Of course, I won't restrict you on the color choice, as they have several available (check out their Etsy store).

So here's the contest:

Leave a comment with WHY YOU RIDE

I'll use a random number generator to determine the winner Monday morning (7/18)! Good luck!