GPS stuff
What mapping software is that and what are the differnt colored tracks? Created a "public" map using google maps see if this works...anyone can add to it:
https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msi...ll=39.30837,-122.793868&spn=0.209329,0.444603
Hey, I like it on Google map! On Google map it can be seen that alot of the track is road M10 which I think is the OHV corridor between the two riding areas.
I use Garmin's Base Camp software to manage GPS tracks. Base Camp can be down loaded free from the Garmin site. Once you have Base Camp you will need a map the software can use.
Topo maps can be downloaded free from here:
http://www.gpsfiledepot.com
These free maps have all the detail and are great for using with tracks. Unlike Garmin's topo maps these free maps are not able to "auto route". Meaning they can not create a route and then navigate you between two points, aka "auto routing". Auto Routing is what your smart phone does. It downloads the amount of map needed to route between the two points you tell it.
The tracks in my .gpx file were generated by recording an actual ride. Then I upload the recording into Base Camp to edit out junk like "I'm lost" points and improve accuracy along with adding a few Points of Interest (POI). When finished I make a paper map from a screen print like the picture above. With the GPS screen and paper map a rider figure out roughly here he is located at any given time.
I make the tracks various colors just to differentiate them. In the picture above there are 3 tracks. 2 track overlap each other on some trails.
Using just the small GPS screen it is very difficult determine where you are without comparing it to a paper map.
In my hand held GPS (Garmin 62sc) I use Garmin's City Navigator North America map which is capable to do tracks AND auto route. On the GPS screen a topo map has too much detail, hard for me to see track when riding at speed. The City Nav map makes the track stand out much better so with glance I can tell if I'm still on the track or not. City Nav map has a surpising number of forest roads as well and could auto route you out of the woods if need be.
Tracks created just using your PC desktop using are subject to error. The topo maps are often out of date and may show a trail or even a road that no longer exists. If I do create a track on the desktop, I make the track black meaning it needs to be verified by riding it next time I'm in the area.
arty