waypoints, cue sheets, and bikely

[davelexipct]

I've been using TopoFusion for new route development, and its been great.  I've also been using Bikely to trace roads.  Moving back and forth with .gpx.  Ultimately I'd love to be able to have BOTH:

gpx file with waypoint notes
text cue sheet and some bikely-like web map for non-GPS folks

However, I can't find a way for TopoFusion to create a cue sheet, and when Bikely imports .gpx, it loses all waypoint data, even point notes/cues originally created in Bikely.

Thoughts?  Thanks
Dave

[ScottMorris]

Hi,

Sounds like a cool project.  What kind of routes are you mapping?

There's no way to create cue sheets in TopoFusion (except manually, which I have a fair amount of experience doing! EG:  this and this.

As for the loss of waypoints, maybe you can send me a GPX file so I can take a look?  Maybe there is something I can do on TF's end.

[davelexipct]

http://xvtmbr.pbworks.com

Vermont: ~600 mile route of dirt roads, class 4 (abandoned/unmaintained) roads, 4wd tracks, singletrack.

I haven't created any cues or waypoints yet, just worked via .gpx back and forth between bikely (follows roads easily) and TopoFusion (user maps, splicing in alterations, bits of trail that show up on quads).  Just wondering what method will be useful in the long run, given that as we test ride, changes WILL happen, and I'd prefer that process NOT require redoing cues/waypoints from scratch.

What cue sheet process did you use for your events?

[ScottMorris]

Nice.  Could make for good bikepacking.

I have never tried/relied on anything like bikely to make cues for me.  I just do them by hand and using various map sources (online and paper).  But mostly it's based on on-the-ground recon.  Often roads are not signed as they are indicated on maps, have different local names, etc.  IMO there is no substitute for actually having been there, looked at the intersection and coming up with an English description for how to proceed.

But... I am often dealing with trails and subtle turns between trails and little used trails... so your experience may differ.

I'm still not sure I understand what info is being lost between TF <--> Bikely.  Rereading I guess the problem is on bikely's end -- once you export out of there you can't get back to where you were and have to start over with cue/waypoint info?  Hmm.

[davelexipct]

Good bikepacking is the primary goal.  Us northeasterners are jealous of all these southwest trip reports.

I agree on your cue wording.  I was just fishing for a "best" way of assembling a cue sheet.  Seems like a text document is the way.  Or perhaps excel, which can easily handle segment and cumulative mileages.

Your bikely diagnosis is correct.  bikely is the weak link in the transfer.  Its reliability is unpredictable.
Thanks

[davelexipct]

Slightly different questions this time, concerning the uploading of TF data to a Garmin Vista HCx.

TF has a bunch of data fields associated with a waypoint, including "Comment" and "Description".  Which of these translates to the "Note" field on the HCx?  Experimentation has not revealed the truth.  I'd like the data to be able to go both ways.

TF track properties includes "color".  However, all colors seem to become red when uploaded to the HCx.  ??

Is it possible to combine multiple discontinuous TF tracks into one .gpx?  Discontinuous is key since I am familiar with merging/splicing.  This is really an attempt to get around the 20 track limit on the HCx.

Thanks!
TF enabled a recent exploration:  http://www.studiozoic.com/adventures/2009/xvt1/index.htm

[ScottMorris]

Wow, great photos from your trip.  Maybe post a link over at bikepacking.net's forums?

Comment should go into the 'note' field on the GPS.  I need to double check this, will do.

You are right that all saved tracks come out red on the GPS.  I believe this is one little piece of code I have intended to write since adding per-track coloring a while back, but it keeps eluding me.  Will put it on the top of the list.

On combining multiple TF tracks, funny you should ask, I just added this yesterday -- long overdue really.  However, it will not get you around the 20 track limit, unfortunately.  Even if they are in the same file they'll still eat up a track each.  One thing you can do is upload to the active log -- the active log can have as many different tracks as you want, but is limited to 10k points.  Then, of course, you'll overwrite it as you go, so you'll have to be careful.

Thanks for the feedback/questions.  Love seeing TF used for bikepacking new routes!