Ridecamp: Re: [RC] GPS

I use a Garmin 3 for riding. I have a hip pack that carries my essentials.
Then a padded cell phone belt pack for my GPS. The GPS pack slids on the hip
pack belt just fine. Also, the GPS pack has a clip that's supposed to clip
to a belt loop for extra security, but I use it to clip to my GPS handle so
if I happen to drop my GPS while I have it out, it won't go far. But, wait,
that's not all. I wear a Lidlocker helmet when I ride. And my husband tapes
an external antenna to the top of my helmet! So I get great reception.

I leave it on the trip monitor screen, so when I pull the GPS out, I can see
our average speed and how far we've come and how long we've been out. It's
my horse speedometer!

I've gotten pretty good at whipping it out at a trot, getting an idea of how
we're doing, and slipping it back in. Tanna is getting used to the
"RRRRRIIIP" sound of the velcro closure opening. (Meaning he dances instead
of bolts now.)

Sure, I look funny, but the helmet and sportpak and biothane tack really
aren't commplace either.

When we're done with the ride, I record our time, average speed, and total
milage on a spreadsheet. Good way to keep track of his training. Really
helps to keep the intensive training to a reasonable level, since I
overtrained my last horse and Tanna stays in MUCH better shape than the
other horse did.

Then when I get home, my husband loads the track data on his computer,
downloads some topo maps from the internet, and shows me where all I went.
It's lots of fun and helps get my husband (doesn't ride much) involved in my
training rides.

No, I don't think they're the most accurate thing in the entire world.
Especially mine, it doesn't account for changes in altitude, but it works a
whole lot better than counting Tanna's strides and guessing at how far we've
gone! :)

Anyway, I like mine!

April
Nashville, TN


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