London to manchester

[middleagecyclist]

@martint235. Aware I'm hijacking the thread a little, can I ask what mapping software do you prefer?

 

[mcshroom]

If you are looking to do this, it may be worth trying some of the Peak Audax 200km rides as practice

http://www.highergrangefarm.fsnet.co.uk/PeakAudax/calendar.htm

 

[martint235]

@martin235. Aware I'm hijacking the thread a little, can I ask what mapping software do you prefer?

Writing while watching telly now so not as detailed.

I draw stuff out on ridewithgps. I then download track and route. Feed the route into route converter to give meaningful descriptions to the junctions such as 010 L @ RAB rather than just Left tells me that my 10th instruction is left at a roundabout.

Then route and track are combined into one gpx with mapsource and transferred to unit which currently has Garmins official maps on it but I have used OSM before

All of the above is courtesy of arallsopp and all credit goes to him for me ever getting home

 

[400bhp]

I'd ( and this is my personal preference rather than advice) would be tempted to do it the other. Ride to London, sleep, sightsee, train home. By getting the train to London, to me, you're adding a level of complication before you start a tough ride. As I say this is just me and I'm paranoid particularly where expecting trains to work on time etc is concerned.

Remember, the wind generally blows from the south, more so in the warmer monts.

 

[400bhp]

I've got the 705. I'm researching the best GPS for long rides as present and whether my unit will cut the mustard. The main differences between the Etrex series and the 705/800 as far as I can see are:

• Etrex has replaceable batteries rather than rechargeable integrated cells
• The 705/800 have road maps and turn by turn navigation in the unit where the Etrex gives more of a line to follow

Using the GPS to work the route out is not recommended. If you have no way to charge the 705/800 en route then on a long ride you are going to run out of juice after 15 hrs or so. The Etrex can get round this.

Interested to hear comparisons from those more experienced.

The 705 can handle long rides and complicated routes no problem. Bikeroutetoaster/other gpx route planners, download it, job done (well, almost as for a long ride i would be definately checking the route in more detail). I've used it to get me back from Edinburgh over 2 days. I took the usb cable (not the plug) and asked beforehand if the b&b would let me charge the unit for a few hours, which they did.

I think you can buy a bike usb charger too.

 

[craven2354]

Is there things you can buy to charge a garmin 800 up on the move?

 

[middleagecyclist]

Is there things you can buy to charge a garmin 800 up on the move?

You could get a battery pack that runs off AAs like a Portapow or go down the hub dynamo route married to a cache battery like a PedalPower.

 

[craven2354]

Will the portapow charge it while in use?

 

[martint235]

Don't know. Just done a very quick interweb search and not found anything. I tend to assume that in the absence of positive information the answer is no, others go the opposite way.

Did find a website that said a fully charged 800 will give you about 8 hours!! I work that out at around 130 ish miles.

 

[middleagecyclist]

Not sure. I should think so as it charges via USB feed from the mains while in use. I've just taken delivery of one so will let you know later today.

 

[ianrauk]

I use a Portapow to charge a 200 and a 500. And when connected to charge the 200/500 switches off. So I would hazard a guess that it's the same for an 800.

 

[craven2354]

In that instance would I be better with an etrex 30 (this can do maps right?) for this trip?

Also on the etrex are the battery's rechargeable?

 

[middleagecyclist]

It can 'do' maps and it takes two AA batteries which can be rechargeable, alkaline and i believe lithium as well. If I hadn't got an Edge 705 for a really good price I would be going for an Etrex 20 or 30.

 

[middleagecyclist]

Not sure. I should think so as it charges via USB feed from the mains while in use. I've just taken delivery of one so will let you know later today.

Just charging the Edge 705 this evening from the PortaPow and it is still active. I'll let you know tomorrow how well a single charge from the 3 cell PortaPow tops up the Edge from nr empty.

 

[middleagecyclist]

Well, the PortaPow with 3 x 2450 mAh rechargeable batteries charged an almost flat Edge 705 back up to full. I left it switched off overnight and 8 hrs later it was done. Pretty impressed. I'll give it a go with some alkaline cells and see how they do.