canadarideforclimate

Hi, Im using OpenStreetMap alot now. (sorry i havent been Geocaching) ... my goal is to help out all GeoCachers, and create a free mapbook for everyone to use. http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/index.php/OS...Garmin/Download This site shows how to download all the OSM data and make it shown on the Garmin Device. Enjoy ... And yes... it would be wonderful for the Ibycus mapset to be included with the OpenStreetMap. .. however, the challenge there is in the licence. ... Geobase Canada owns that data and only allows for personal only use. The openstreetmap licence allows for anyone to use for any reason. ... OpenStreetMap just asks that whoever uses the information just states that it came from openstreetmap. ... So if you see a problem with the map, please do add in your corrections. I plan on making a Ibycus topo Western Canada mapset, and an eastern Canada, and northern Canada mapset. (just waiting to hear back from Ibycus) If anyone is interested, let me know. Then i can start making it. Cheers, Sam Across Canada Trails

Very sorry for the long delay in writing... i have posted on my blogsite acrosscanadatrails.blogspot.com the latest.. anyway in short, the (Unofficial Trans Canada Trail GPS MAP)is now available to download as a GPS Map... i includined the POI file showing all the TCT icons along the . ... Im now working on getting in touch with everyone whose interested. ... to my delight, i see that Ibycus topo and red90 have started something... just waiting to get onto that forum. ... Ya, so the bottom line is that i really hope that many people out there will be able to use this map, along with my GPS Map. .. however it turns out. ... Please contact me. ... facebook is great. Cheers, Sam Vekemans

Hi, Wondering if the final step... Creating an EXE custom installer program could be included?? http://battlefieldsingleplayer.planetbattl...amp;#entry75001 I found this one on a google search... and having difficulty making this work.. I keep on getting an error. nullsofts scribtable installation system (called NSIS), The last part of the Creating Custom Topo map is making it into a zip file. I think http://sourceforge.net can host the EXE file also. ... but of course, get the map on mapcenter Hopefully someone can help, Thanks Sam AcrossCanadaTrails.blogspot.com

Hi, I've send you a message via regular email as i'd like feed back on it. .. I'll copy the message here if you like later. Cheers, Sam Vekemans canadaride for climate at gmail dot com PS Thanks Red90, i used your sugestion a while back and have my IMG file a separate page (that way when new updates are available i can just overright the file. ... this way it shows up as a layer. Awsome.

So i have the KML feed now on my User Centric GPS Map. .. so now when people download and use my map across canada. .. they can also check out the local caches where they want togo, and zoom in on them. I can get the rough coordinates from Google earth, and make them into POI (just using POI loader) to get them on. .. I can prepack a bunch of random points. .... Surf the 5 different routes, and grab some random Cache locations, and put them in there ... (Not on the Actual Map, as caches are meant to be found. (I do aplolgise, as my interest is more in making the GeoCache Experience, and biking across canada and biking along the trails. Easier. .. because this map contains all the Tim Hortons Across Canada, along with all the campgrounds, and Motels.. and Tourist offices. I'd like to have a physical XD card available at each tourist office and other locations. - Could actualy include the XD card as a Cache .. (cause its a physical thing) Any more ideas? .. Oh ya, .. wondering When your done going along around Penticton. .. your GPS makes tracks. ... Do geocachers regularly share their Tracks? ... (no i dont mean the location of the Cache.. but just the tracks of when you were actually on the roads/trails. ... perhaps you made a circle loop on a bike? or driving or hiking? ... as it's possable to be sharing your route experience, along with photos you took while exploring that area. I'd love to see these tracks.. then they can be added as recommended Hiking/Biking/road biking/hybred biking routes, and showing were the trailheads are. Cheers, Sam P.S. thanks admin for keeping this message forum open

Found it!!! Google Earth has a cool KML Feed which shows all the GeoCache locations across canada. ... (and along the trail).. I'll be posting them on my google earth file... and on the User-Centric GPS route Map across canada. Thanks

I'd be interested. Looking at the TCT site, I see they do now have GPS derived trail data for section of the trail, so that would be great for a GPS based map. I'm sure I could easily stick the thing together into a Garmin map. Thanks I too would be interested I just send off a message to the person at TCT who might help. (Im also asking about if they can geo-tag those TCT pavilions and Discovery pannels. (on Flickr.)) As it would be great if the trail was made available (as segments) onto google maps. .. and posted onto EveryTrail.com and Bikely.com (as the un-official route). With each segment.. I can gladly post it And if you can send that to me.. along with those source files. I can add the route to google earth. As there got to be a way to post it onto google maps.. (so when the official route changes, its streeming info for everyone to see and use) As far as i can see google maps seems to be the best way to be editing the major points of interest ... (some of which are being used on this map?), as with google maps, others can edit the info. (where shops are, where bridges, tunnels, trail heads are). .. and POI-Factory.com is a great place to store that info as well (and keeping that updated as more info is posted onto the google maps file) What website is it that you get the POI data from? Looks there's lots of people working on this

Well... Just got post from a moderator; As this isn't todo with Geocaching.. (just would be useful for all those using a GPS?) Anway, My best guess is that you guys all post your GPS Tracks onto sites like www.everytrail.com (as it has KML Feeds onto Google earth, showing the latest) and www.bikely.com shows a tonne of more detailed bike trails (doesnt yet have KML Feeds) ... 'cause if every trail gets posted on that site, makes for the project to work, hopefully the 1st draft will be available in the spring for everyone to use Cheers, Sam

Vancouver island area is BIG What about posting your GPS Tracks using www.everytrail.com or GPSVisualizer.com? ... Does anyone know if theres a forum about Posting and sharing GPS tracks?? Thanks, P.S. My interests are in Biking the trail and using GPS to navigate it, showing me where everything is. I'm still a geocaching newbie. (Looking to help out fellow trail users... as i think IF the trail was made available to Everyone as a GPS XD card, showing ALL the points of interest along the way, and local businesses. ... it would make the trail VERY user friendly

Ive done sections of it (western Canada.) -Galoping goose, parts of it whch get to nanaimo.. seawall.. KVR rail trails... and in towns across alberta saskatchewan. ... Like the Dyke trail in Steveson, BC (Lulu island, across from the airport) . isnt even listed as the TCT trail. On the TCT Website lists the locations of all the Pavilions and Discovery Pannels alll along the trail. ... but what would be cooler is to have that info available on Google maps. .. then it can be converted to GPX, and loaded onto this map. (making the Pavilions Usefull for GPS users. Perhaps they Can be used as reference points?? ... But ya, for the complete trail.. still in the planning stages.. Thanks P.S. the trail probably will always be changing (this is why im working to have it available on a GPS map) Would you be able to post your GPS tracks on EveryTrail.com?? (you can use www.gpsvisualizer.com to convert the file easily) Thanks, Sam

P.S. Quads & Motercycles, i have NO problem with.. (if their powered by biodiesel, and have the most efficient engines) As Quads do a great deal in making the trail usable as it makes a great double track mountain bike route. (quads can make washouts easier to bypass, as it help crush stone. (This is why we need A GPS Map showing ALL the alternate routes)

Let not forget that in some cases the trail doesn't go where it should have because of politics or whatever and we ride the other (better) options. [OK we won't be going there] Thanks though for posting the links to the old rail bridge along the trail in BC, dayum that's good! dutch(semi retired gear jamming)master Yes, lets go there, Is there a form for it? I posted a note onto the form 'Free Topo Maps for Garmin GPS' and started a new form for this. As it's now more clear on what im doing. Creating a User Centric GPS map, including the GPS tracks (route) of the Complete transCanada trail, along with all the sujested alternates, and all the useful waypoints from (not no inclusive to..) Bridges Tunnels Trail-heads Trail markers TCT Discovery pannels TCT pavilions Rest Areas (power and no power washrooms) where water fountains are. Where information maps are (including photo of each) (on the online version, maybe visable on the GPS version, depending on how cool your Device is) Where the tourist Offices are (phone number, address, website, photo) Where the bike shops are The Outdoor stores The motels The campgrounds (provincial, federal, municiple, privatly owned) .. and rec site campgrounds (designated free camping areas) The hostels across canada and the Hotels .. the resturants .. the tim hortons (if they can sponsor this, that would be ideal) Created using the power of Google earth, and google maps. .. and using Everytrail.com Using Bikely.com and using CrazyGuyOnABike.com (posting routes) and converting to google maps and using flickr (geotag photos) using GPSVisualizer.com A team of Admins would be constantly going through and editing the waypoints so it makes sence (and all inthe same format) .. and using The Abycus topo Map project (where it all gets imported) and brought into the lastest version of the available maps. So the latest can be made available on a website for everyone to download.

Hi, I just about fell over when I found your site. .. Holy cow, this is Awsome! As it's exactly what im looking for, as my plan is to be Tracking the Whole transCanada Trail along with the sujested alternates when cycling across canada (different type of bikes) Showing the GPS Tracks, and routes, and waypoints . (along with THIS topomap) and have it available for free (as a download to XD card) (and a single XD card to show people) where people can copy the latest update. (a download update would ALWAYS be needed before use anyway) Available at all the (tourist offices, bike shops, motels) across Canada. The project would be supported by the local businesses (just as local area paper maps are available, sometimes showing where the TCT and bike routes are.. (but not most). As this is helping out the local business (because they are listed, and used by so many people) As this map is User Centric, as the points get updated (each type) using google maps. .. and the overall file shown on Google Earth. Showing the Bike routes and trails all across the country, submitted by tonnes of people. .. and showing the waypoints, listed on google maps. Each category as a different folder (shown on google earth). Where those points can be updated by the different users.. anyone to add info, and submit their updated info. (A team of admins, would be needed to update the master file) (using google maps, collaberate it's possable) Then these points can be loaded onto the awsome Ibycus Topo map. .. and made available for people to download. (Answering the question about POI collaberations.. so it can include all users. ... (user-centric :-) People can simply post their own route onto Everytrail.com (for the tracks), and basic waypoints (title only) .. and post onto google maps more details. .. and on POI-Factory, people can post their updates for each type of point) .. Anyway I'm hoping that this projct will be usefull for everyone... (I'm now struggling to figure out how to get this Topomap (along with my POI, and GPS tracks and routes. so it can be converted to an IMG file to be loaded to the GPS) .. so for now i got is a bunch of tracks from other users, and routes. and a waypoints info (created by me and others) from each google maps file. As imbedding them, lets you make many more categories than MapSource (which is why a google map) (and) POI-Factory file can be uploaded. .. and people can just keep on updating it from ONE master site. (what-ever is the best) ... are there others? ... Still rattling my brain on this, thanks soo much! Sam P.S. More scatter-brained thinking and ideas on by blog (ride website) http://virtualbikeride.blogspot.com

Quick Summery: While biking along the Complete transcanada trail. .. I will be using my GPS and posting onto EveryTrail.com my route.. along with the Points of Interest maintly: Bike Shops (name & Phone number) Info Centers (tourist offices) Campgrounds Motels Rest Areas Information signs Trail heads Trail markers Where brides are Tunnels .. caution points Viewing sites. All of the points will be placemarks and shown on Google Maps.. As well as showing on POI-factory.com the GPX file of it (basically a GPSVisualizer.com conversion of it) I will also be posting links to other peoples trail maps as they go along the trail and take paved (quicker) roads across canada. .. Onto Google Earth. It holds a streem of data from Google maps. ... So then i can download all the maps that other people created from everytrail.com (across canada) Check out one of them (it was when i was cycling from Osoyoos, BC to Bridesville, BC (up the mountain) As flickr photos can be shown on google maps easily. Google maps will include a link to that. Basically the purpose of the Google earth file and the GPX database of each type on entry is so then I can bring those points and the trail route ontop of the FreeTopo file. ..from Ibycus maps. .. Then have the complete Data file saved onto An XD card and then given out (or people can download it). .. from the different Info Centers across. The GPS map will be free for everyone to uses and we would encourage everyone to submit their waypoints anyway they know now, and with as much detail as possable.

Basically to put it simply, Next year im Biking Across Canada. (I already did western canada this year, covering 4,000km and got to Regina Saskatchewn.. 89 days) But i missed a few sections as i (like many others, who set out to bike across the country and would like to take the TransCanada trail all the way... but have a hard time following it.. cause it's so massive and mixed up. (haveing the route take you through hiking trails.. when your on a bike) So I want to solve that problem. I want to create a GPS map containing the complete trail and ALL relevent points of interest Along the way. Using that Awsome site from http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=174764 http://www.ibycus.com/ibycustopo/ .... And then adding in the GPS tracks from everyone out there who can post their tracks on www.everytrail.com and others.. (dont know what the favourite site is yet) http://virtualbikeride.blogspot.com That's my site as lots of details are on there (or will be if not yet uptodate) Basically it's using Google earth to complile a list of all the relivent information. and using google maps to hold all the different types of waypoints... For this map what i want to have is a listing of; Campsites (all of them across the trail and reommended routes) The Towns/Cities and include the Contact details for the tourist information offices. The bike shops across canada. The Motels across canada. The resturants ... And lots more ... I post this for the time being. Becuase google maps now has the ability to colaberate with others... this can be a great way to be fixing all my points of interest.

Hey all, thanks so much for the comments. 1st off, im not planning on Geolittering. .. so Thats a good point, thanks. I discovered POI Loader, along with www.gps-data-team.com and www.gps-waypoints.net and now www.Waymarking.com So having the points of interest all along the route, showing where the Bike Shops are and Campground/Motels/B&B's, as well as showing where all the TCT pavilions are. .. So the route map would have imbedded markers which are only of interest to the different trail users. ... As time goes on more people put in points... flickr.com photos and information of each trail marker, more POI's can be easily added to those online databases. So as I understand, the point of Geocaching (i now know how the spell it )... is that you dont know before hand exactly where it is. ... so the user would before they leave have the local caches loaded onto the device. So it looks like my initial thought of Geocaching along the trail... doesnt really make sence. .. it would have to be the simple invisable geocache, having one at EVERY trail marker, this way others can refine the details on each point. ... and of course, i cant do that all myself. .... Google earth and GE Community is very helpful. ... Perhaps what im getting at is that having POI markers pointed to road intersections.. so then people who are traveling along the trail, looking for the next trail head, can find it. .. that makes for sence. A prime example is the trail from Cranbrook to Elko, BC where just before you get into Elko, the trail is along dirt roads and jumps back in the bush with little to no markers. .... So by having a user-generated file with all the points of interests, which act as trail markers making the upkeep of physical signs not as big of a problem on the trail. ... BTW, This is a major reason why the trail is not used as much as it could be ..... proper signage BTW, i'm cycing ireland, and doing the project there, as it's much smaller and easier .. and cycle routes in ireland ... sometimes the signs point the wrong way. Thanks for you comments, it's greatly appreciated. ... so I dont plan on inventing the wheel

Thanks (sorry for the delay in reply) This will give me a reason to go back to Princeton, BC. ... I also forgot to turn my GPS on when cycling to Thirsk Lake. ... So theres that gap of about 20kms missing on my full route. Looks like its close to the TCT Pavilian, and Mr. Sub ... that stretch of paved trail then turns to gravel. .. Road bike friendly? I dont think so. Ill go ahead and find a few to see how this works. Im thinking that Hiding GeoCash at EVERY TCT pavilion across canada.. and EVERY intersection where the user would be confused at where togo. .. would perhaps make the TCT easier to follow all the way across the country.??? Any thoughts? Regards, Sam (still a newbie with this) ...

Biking across canada.. and GPSing along the way... When i'm done i'll be writing a book, and a detailed daily map book of just the route and all the points of interest. .. and including the map file as a download which is user centric tied in with google earth. I'm wondering if anyone has already started to hide geocash along the trail? Thanks Sam www.canadarideforclimate.com