Hi all-

I’m an avid mountain biker, and my new book has just been released. GPS Mapping – Make Your Own Maps gives plenty of great tools including free or low-cost maps, aerial photos and software. Learn to update topos with info from aerial photos, automatically link digital photos to where they were shot, and even create your own custom maps for your GPS! Since I did 99% of my field research on a mountain bike, I guess you could say it was written from a biker’s perspective. Please check it out at http://www.MakeYourOwnMaps.com.

Thanks for letting me post.

Rich Owings

"We were desert mystics, my friends and I, poring over our maps as
others do their holy books." - Edward Abbey

Hey, I read your book's TOC on your web site. Your book looks pretty complete as far as software descriptions and comparisons. It had all the software I use (Garmin, NG, in regular and 3D, ....) and some I didn't know about.

I may find your book useful even if I don't make "maps" for general use. I use a Garmin Vista, but more for navigation into new areas. I make paper maps for navigation only as a companion to a better map. I find the official paper maps made up by a park essential, because for one, they have local trail names that match the trail markers that seem to be almost everywhere in CA. The offiical park maps also indicate which trails are legal for bikes, official entrances and parking, and many other park rules.

I also use the GPS to record distance and climb of a ride. My most valuable use of maps is for planning, that is to estimate what a new route will do so I don't get in over my head in a long trip. I use web descriptions and web maps to create waypoints on the computer that I download to the Vista when riding. Amazingly, I'm usually within 100' by comparing map contours or other features shown on the other maps. All of this helps discover and plan new MTB trips.

I'll probably get your book to look at the software I don't know about. I need to upgrade my Garmin TopoUSA to the 3D version. I already upgraded with my National Geographic to 3D which is now on version 4.0. Most interesting is the web based satellite photos coming up these days. I can use this to spot trails from above (watch out you guys riding secret trails in Santa Cruz ;) ), and your book seems to describe these web based programs.

Thanks for making me aware of this book. Your post is certainly a bit of self-promotion, but the information is useful, like links many others offer to other useful MTB products. Your information is pretty unique and not easily found otherwise, so I won't call your post Hawaiian meat (but others might). :)

Big Larry-

Thanks! It sounds like you use these tools almost the same way I do. The "Make Your Own Maps" subtitle refers to the fact that you can create custom paper maps, easily update 20 year old topos using aerial photos, and even make custom maps for your GPS.

Be sure to check out the chapter on TopoFusion. It's a great program for mounain bikers. I especially like being able to automically link digital photos to where they were taken along the track.

Rich Owings
http://www.MakeYourOwnMaps.com/

"We were desert mystics, my friends and I, poring over our maps as
others do their holy books." - Edward Abbey

Spaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaam

How about a free book and i'll get the word out!

Looks cool!

But I will just continue to use ArcGIS ArcInfo 9.1 at work and our Leica and Trimble GPS units.



(no, Im not bragging ;) )

I love Topofusion! Though expertGPS has its perks as well....

However, i can respect (and admire) AdamOn6thStreet's comment. Spent 5 years myself in the GIS industry - though i used Arcview briefly, the company i was working for used MapInfo. It all forced a love of maps and mapping on me - i remember when i got my first gps i pulled the data off it with a some crazy dos prompt program, then i scanned and registered maps into mapinfo, imported then converted the gps data into something usable and about 3 hours later, I had a map.

I imagine someone simplified this process since then :)

Lastly, anyone out there with a gps and who likes to share, please swing over to www.crankfire.com and share away! We have a focus more on new england, but we take trail data from anywhere in the US :)