2009 LBL Challenge Map

Below is the course we ran for the LBL challenge. A race report with all the steamy details will be forth comming (hopefully written by one of the other members of the team). The map will be best viewed in full screen mode by clicking on the view larger map link below.


View Larger Map

How to Create a course map with MyTopo background

Ok, After making the map I need to get down the steps that I took to make the map with the mytopo overlay so that next time I don't have to figure out how to do everything again (I was up pretty late last night).

1. Make the map in Google Earth. Create a folder in myplaces.kml add the checkpoints, then add the routes as paths. Remember you can hold down L. mouse button to just draw a path instead of clicking point to point.
2. To get the lengths of the paths (you can't just get it from the properties of the track or anywhere in GE) use the super duper length getting tool at E.M.A GE Tools . To use it; in GE highlight the track, right click, select copy, then go to the length tool thingy and paste in the box. click calculate and whammo you get the length. It is in km so convert it to miles.
3. Edit the descriptions of the tracks to show mileage in GE.
4. Save the folder as a .kml file on the hard drive.
5. Go to www.GPSVisualizer.com, set the parameters for the map (Choose Full Screen Mode and initial map type as MyTopo.com). Then in the input file boxes browse to and upload the saved .kml file, then draw the map
   
6. Now is where it gets a bit dicey. After it draws the map, use the link to save a copy to the hard drive (just the html, not complete web page or anything). Name it something better then the default random number file name assigned
   
7. Now you have to edit the html code to insert your Google Maps API key, so open the html file in notepad or wordpad. Scroll down to where the GPSVisualizer guy says to insert your API key and place it between the quotes. The API for my web space is ABQIAAAA8oz96BYc9hjnVqzo6ONlsBQSWU31P9IJypDiPbpk_Swiys_4VRRNXJ5MZHj7MxOyFORb973D1c6a0w I know no one cares what my API key is but like I said it is so I can find it
   
8. While you are altering the html file you can change things like the zoom level and the center of the map by altering some of the values under // basic map parameters:
   
9. Upload the altered html file to the web server
10. Log into Blogger and create a post. go to Edit Html and insert code for an iframe. Not like I really know what an iframe is, so I just copied the code that google maps uses when you embed a map into a website. You can also google iframe and copy some code or the guy at GPSVisualizer.com has put something in his FAQ on it. Important thing about the iframe code is to insert the URL where you put map between the quotes in the src="http://". Here is a copy of the code I use

<iframe marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://YourURLHere.com" frameborder="0" height="480" scrolling="no" width="640"></iframe><small><a href="http://YourURLHere.com" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 0); text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></small>


11. Post the blog and you are done. Now I know that if anyone other than me tries to use my tutorial it probably won't work. In fact in a month or so when I need to do another one I probably won't be able to follow my own work but oh well.

Fwd: Bonk Hard Video

I have enclosed a link to a video of the Bonk Hard Chill.  Team Forum Dental is in two of the scenes.  Check it out.  Dave
 
http://www.gojim.tv/Videos.html

Chris' Official Team Document, i.e. last will and testiment

As you all know I will be doing some traveling to the Caman Islands then on to Australia. I do plan on doing some risky and somewhat questionable activities while on my trip---such as swimming with sharks and sting rays-- all of this a tribute to Steve Erwin aka the cocodile hunter. I have checked my team forum dental contract and find these activities to be in line with things I can do and still maintain my standing as a team member--- I will have you know that I hired my own attornies to review my contract so the interpritation might be bias. In saying all of this I plan on returning on the 5th of April, however, If something happens and I do not return I had my attornies draw up a will (sp?). If by chance I do not return---there will be a meeting on the 6th of April at 6 pm outling in more detail what I wish to happen to my adventure racing gear.---

 

First and formost My truck----I feel that since we have deleniated the Nissan as our official team transport vehicle there is no better place for it to be used than for the team----I have set aside some monies and a design for a sticker kit so you all can tavel in style (a picture of me will be placed on the hood)

 

2nd--- My bike -----let see which one of us needs a bike???? oh that is right, to Scott goes my bike even though it is a Gary Fisher

 

3rd---- My pack-- I know my pack is small but what it lacks in size it makes up in spirit. It can Carry 100 x its weight and 100 x the weight of the person carrying it.( I know it doesnt make since but just go with it)  so to Erik goes my pack may it serve you well.  Erik when you use it they will try and tell you that you have the heaviest pack too.

 

4th-- my new teva shoes. just so you know I love these shoes. in the last few weeks we have developed a great bond-- so much that they have tried to become one with my feet and make a permanent bond with my feet but in the process something went wrong and in the end I lost some skin secondary to blisters----- To Dave goes my shoes, so that when he losses his again he will have a spare.

 

Lastly--- To Judd ( I know Judd already has everything) goes the team first aid kit, my compus, my rope, the flare gun with four shells, my small dry bags, my fire starting kits, and everything else I carried in my pack. (this is my attempt at making someone elses pack heavier than mine)

 

I also as a last wish would like to see my bike rack blown up in memory of how well it works and the ease in which we put on and remove the bikes.

 

Anyway it is late and this email is becoming lamer and lamer if I dare us such appropriate and correct terms.

 

In all seriousness just wanted to drop you all a line wishing you all a fun and safe race. I will miss being there but know you all will do great. Good luck have fun and I will see you when I get back.

 

Chris

The route that Forum Dental AR team took at the Scout O Festival



View Larger Map

Nicknames cont.

So in light of us wanting to employ nicknames, I figured I would upload some pictures to go with our given nicknames. Let me know what you think....he, he, he...

NAV

Toc

Erik your name will most likely need refining after this race, since we haven't raced together yet this will have to do.

Special D

As in Specialized Dave (Need I explain more?)

I didn't really feel that Crack's name needed another repost of the photo (butt for all interested click here)

Link

Sorry Judd you said we couldn't call you "Load" or "Fattie" so what was I supposed to do? (I just couldn't resist)

Bonk Hard race series competition and nicknames

On Fri, Mar 6, 2009

A few other things about this. I don't know if they use the same racers all of the time. You can only have 6 different racers on a team, so that may disqualify them over the course of the year.

I think by the end of the year, we could beat them in a foot race, but maybe not right now. It certainly is going to be interesting. Especially as we tweak our strategy.

Remember their cool names like Hammer and Stick.

I think we each need to come up with names. Scott, yours is Nav. Kind of a cool GI Joe type name. Maybe even Gage as in the compass is a type of gage, AND you gage how fast we go. Dave, yours should be something like Doc. Due to the fact that you are in charge of the documents (passport). Mine is Link, as in "the weakest". Chris can be Buns. If there are any questions as to why, I'll refer to the necessary photo. I suppose Crack would work too. Erik, yours can be Tic or Toc, referring to your new responsibility to keep track of the time. This is very important as you can tell from Scott's email. We won the last race due to our time management skills.

Any other suggestions?

By the way Load as in "wide load" and Fattie as in "you are huge" are names that I personally would not like to be called. So if you OTHER suggestions, that would be great.

Judd

On Thu, Mar 5, 2009

Right now looking at the teams that are registered for LBL it looks as though our only competition for the series are Wounded Warriors ( that is a cool name by the way, I have name envy but they have earned it). And if I am totally honest I am not so sure that we can beat them in a race without time management or them having a blowout or getting lost or something. BUT looking at the series as a whole we don't really have to beat them in any more races, just as long as we come in only one place behind them in the division. If we take second to them for the rest of the races, with our 5 point lead we still win the series.

It is going to be a fun year!

Scott