(MI) Region 4 meet MDW 2007 ---Pics & reports

[bedlamite]

It looks like I can make this one. I'll be riding troo da you pee Friday, since the SV isn't exactly a dual sport I'll be heading home Monday.

[forester]

It looks like I can make this one. I'll be riding troo da you pee Friday, since the SV isn't exactly a dual sport I'll be heading home Monday.

Great! Added.  

[sleazy rider]

Well, my transfer to the local store just came thru (after being told it was blocked by my regional manager) and my new position will not allow this to happen.     I'll be starting there in about 2 weeks and Memorial Day weekend is our busiest time of the year for my new department.  CRAP!!  No three day weekend.  I might be able to sneak up for an overnight/one day ride, then back to the house for me.  Gonna have to play it by ear at this point. 

[forester]

Shoot me a pvt. mail with your contact info and I'll send you the ride route information.  

[Rob (from Hoosierville)]

Greetings from Hoosierville,

I'll be heading from Hoosierville up to the ride in TC on 5/25 in the AM if anyone on the West Side is looking for some riding company. I'll typically take M40 to Allegan, back roads to North of GR, and M37 the rest of the way. If the weather is nice a few scenic detours usually happen too.

If anyone is interested please send a PM

[forester]

Sunday's route loop is completed.  Approximately 308 miles for Sunday.  GARMIN GPS route information is currently available in a .mps (Garmin Mapsource format) file via e-mail only for those attending the ride.  Those miles have been limited to include as many sweepers and twisties as possible.  Both the technicality and views progress heavily (and intermittently)throughout the ride .  I even excluded an area with some decent high speed sweepers because it did not meet my standards of "fun".

Saturday's route should be just as lovely (maybe better?   ).  I'll have it completed shortly.  

[basco]

Why don't you put the route on Grouprider.com?

[FRZY]

Why don't you put the route on Grouprider.com?

I agree completely  

[forester]

I am not familiar with grouprider.com, nor their .gpx file format.  I am not about to attempt to re-create this route using their ridiculous google map tool - that part is for CERTAIN!  

Any suggestions on freeware that can create a .gpx file from either one of my current mapping programs (such as Garmin Mapsource USA TOPO) or the GPS directly via serial or usb connection?

The route is currently stored on my hard drive in a Garmin Mapsource (.mps) file...

[DavidLSI]

I am not familiar with grouprider.com, nor their .gpx file format.  I am not about to attempt to re-create this route using their ridiculous google map tool - that part is for CERTAIN!  

Any suggestions on freeware that can create a .gpx file from either one of my current mapping programs (such as Garmin Mapsource USA TOPO) or the GPS directly via serial or usb connection?

The route is currently stored on my hard drive in a Garmin Mapsource (.mps) file...

GPX is a file type you be able to simply "save as" or it may be an export choice from your software.

I have no idea about how to get into Group Rider either as all my attemps have failed.


But if you export you should be able to simply forward it to others as an attachement.  Hope this helps..

Good luck

SeeYa
DavidLSI

[Rob (from Hoosierville)]

Why not just post the files here? Or email as an attachment to a distribution list? In my experience downloading from a laptop to multiple units is problematic. If you don't have the unlock codes for each GPS you are trying to dump the route into, it won't complete. That said, I have only tried it a couple of times and someone may have a workaround. On past group rides I've been on, the route was just emailed in advance and everyone loaded it at home prior to leaving.


My $0.02 ($0.01 after taxes)

[forester]

Why not just post the files here? Or email as an attachment to a distribution list? In my experience downloading from a laptop to multiple units is problematic. If you don't have the unlock codes for each GPS you are trying to dump the route into, it won't complete. That said, I have only tried it a couple of times and someone may have a workaround. On past group rides I've been on, the route was just emailed in advance and everyone loaded it at home prior to leaving.


My $0.02 ($0.01 after taxes)

I am aware of the issues with GPS recievers.  I could only supply routes to Garmin receivers, since I'd be using Garmin software for the transfer.  To be honest, it would be nice to omit having to bring the Laptop to the ride...So, maybe we can do this another way.  I like the idea of sending a file via e-mail.

Somehow though, I'm going to have to put this on a paper map, since not everyone has GPS.  Right now, I have these routes on County paper maps.  We're talking 10 counties here, so 10 maps.    I'd like to be able to limit this to 2 maps (one per route), but I currently have no format to do this.  I have a friend with Streets & trips, which I might use to do this.

I will have a road directions list for both routes.  There are a lot of back roads, and so anyone could get lost easily - so I'm going to do whatever I can to prevent such things...

[forester]

All,

I think I may have found my problem...  My Garmin mapsource product hasn't been updated after I had to re-install Windows after some computer problems about a month ago.

I believe I may be able to save this file as a .gpx with the update and if that is the case, I should be easily able to transfer this route to the grouprider.com site.

UPDATE: Yep, that did it.  I'll consider using grouprider.com when I have a chance.

[Sparky]

I checked the cost of taking a ferry across the lake.

1 Adult + 1 Motorcycle - Round Trip

Lake Express: $194

SSBadger: $163

I just bought Lake Express tickets.

Milwaukee to Muskegon 5/25 6:00am
Muskegon to Milwaukee 5/28 10:15am

[Dr. Lost]

DAMN... can't make it.  Too much work travel surrounding this trip to make it happen.  Mama frowns on me being gone a week for work, coming home, going ridiing all weekend then taking off for work again.

Maybe next time.

[Dekruyter]

I'm in; PM sent to Forester!

Mark

markdek@comcast.net
(Grand Rapids)

[Rob (from Hoosierville)]

Sparky - What time does the boat get in?

Dekruyter - When are you planning on leaving?

Are you guys interested in meeting between GR and Muskegon for a ride up together on Friday?

[Dekruyter]

A don't know; suggest a day and time; yes I'd like to ride up w/ any SW Michigan people (that's why I stuck my location in the post).  Any GPS file yet, or other details.  Since I'm late to post I would appreciate any info that I can get to plan this trip.  

I just got back from a weekend Northport trip w/ the RIDE.com group (see our website).  It was very cold (had to be 40 degrees) Sunday morning, but enjoyed the twisties and views alot.

Mark

PM me if you want.

EDIT: I just saw the Friday comment; if it's Friday late afternoon there's a chance, otherwise I have to work and I'll be going up later (Saturday?).

I need a spot to camp; no chance for State campgrounds (I hate e'm anyway).  Forest, is there lawn space to camp anywhere?  Even the forest campgrounds may fill up.  Anyone camping!!!!!!!!!!!! pls chime in.

[bedlamite]

I'm camping at http://www.cycle-moore.com/, it was mentioned on the first page. I checked a couple weeks ago and they said don't bother with reservations this early in the year, they will have plenty of space.

[Dekruyter]

Ok, I do know some other areas, but I think I'll join you at Cycle-Moore!!  I think I won't camp until Saturday night, unless the Lake Express people get over to S.W. Michigan later Friday, then I might ride up w/ them Friday night;  otherwise, I plan to either ride up late friday or Saturday morning.  I'll have to read more of this post to see if this is a problem RE: hooking up for the Saturday ride.  Honestly, I'm typing away, making plans, and I still have not had time to read all of this post, and I have to get back to work now.  Thanks everyone for input, camping advice, etc.

But I need the gps/pamphlete/meeting spots for Saturday and Sunday; I'm waiting for a PM back from Forest.

Mark