Garmin Geko

Quoted message said:

I have been seriously worried after running out of fluids a time or two. I was thinking of getting
one of these little suckers and putting it on my handlebars. Whatdya think?

Darwin in action?

"John Harlow" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I have been seriously worried after running out of fluids a time or two. I was thinking of
getting one of these little suckers and putting it on my handlebars. Whatdya think?

Darwin in action?

Probably rides at Poor Farm. ;^)

Mike - JH will be the only one to get that.

John Harlow said:

Quoted message said:

I have been seriously worried after running out of fluids a time or two. I was thinking of getting
one of these little suckers and putting it on my handlebars. Whatdya think?

Darwin in action?

Wow, nice shot. I guess I am a whole lot 'stupider' than I though. Thanks for pointing it out!
Picture this... Central Florida, Ocala National Forest. Over 28000 acres and over 100 miles of tight
twisty unmarked singletrack through head high Thick underbrush. How would you get in and out without
occasionally getting lost. Instead of being a mindless [censored], with dull comments. How about offering
some of your vast knowledge up for the rest of us?

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I have been seriously worried after running out of fluids a time or

two.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I was thinking of getting one of these little suckers and putting it on my handlebars.
Whatdya think?

Darwin in action?

Probably rides at Poor Farm. ;^)

Mike - JH will be the only one to get that.

Lol! That spaghetti nest maze of trails reminds me of "Spinal Tap" where the band gets lost in the
basement of the coliseum. I'd pass the same place 3 times - each time as lost as before. All I could
think to do is yell "Hello Cleveland!"...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I have been seriously worried after running out of fluids a time or two. I was thinking of
getting one of these little suckers and putting it on my handlebars. Whatdya think?

Darwin in action?

Wow, nice shot. I guess I am a whole lot 'stupider' than I though. Thanks for pointing it out!
Picture this... Central Florida, Ocala National Forest. Over 28000 acres and over 100 miles of
tight twisty unmarked singletrack through head high Thick underbrush. How would you get in and out
without occasionally getting lost. Instead of being a mindless [censored], with dull comments. How
about offering some of your vast knowledge up for the rest of us?

Sorry, Jerry; it struck me as odd you claim to repeatedly get lost to the brink of personal
detriment. You are right though, a glib comment served no use.

Something which has worked for me is to ride with someone who knows the place well - at least until
I can figure out how to get out on my own!

It seems reasonable for the backwoods adventurer type to learn basic navigation skills using a map,
compass, GPS, water pills and whatever else you might need. Maybe there is a local Search and Rescue
(SAR) team in your area which can help teach those techniques. I will defer to experts on this
though as I mostly piddle around in city parks.

Jerry Everetts said:

Has anybody seen the Garmin Geko? it looks a good bit smaller than an e-trex, I sometimes get lost
on the trails and a two hour ride turns into an all day "death-march" while trying to find the
trailhead again. I have been seriously worried after running out of fluids a time or two. I was
thinking of getting one of these little suckers and putting it on my handlebars. Whatdya think?

Jerry

I think it's a good idea. I have a eTrex Vista which is a wonderful tool which has helped me a few
times in the hills. You don't say why you are getting lost though - do you need to brush up on
navigation skills? The GPS will help & as I have said is a great tool, but it does not replace
navigational ability. Often in dense woodland you will lose the signal and need to be able to cope
on your own. A great way to get better at navigation is orienteering. I manage to do a handful of
day events and a few night ones each year & I find that that keeps me 'honest' and not dependant on
the technology.

But the best reason (for me) for going down the GPS route is the ability to plot where you've
been onto the PC when you get home, stick it on a digital map and plot & plan better routes for
next time.

Phil

Quoted message said:

Has anybody seen the Garmin Geko? it looks a good bit smaller than an e-trex, I sometimes get lost
on the trails and a two hour ride turns into an all day "death-march" while trying to find the
trailhead again. I have been seriously worried after running out of fluids a time or two. I was
thinking of getting one of these little suckers and putting it on my handlebars. Whatdya think?

Jerry

I ride with a Magellan GPS unit in my Camelbak. I don't use it on the handlebars for 2 reasons:
1. I don't have the handle bar mount
2. I don't rely on the GPS much
3. Don't want to break it in a fall

I usually ride in a group and at least one of us has a map and compass which we use to find our way
around. We've never ridden the same trail twice so it's always new. Only occasionally we reach for
the GPS to confirm exactly where we are and where we should be headed.

The Geko seems a good idea to me. From what I hear, the base model (101) isn't a good idea because
you can't connect it up to a PC but the 201 and 301 are worth having a look at. Alternatively they
have a new wrist-mounted version called the "Forerunner" which may be of some interest to you too.

garmin.comgeko301Open ↗ (301) pocketgps.co.ukgarmingeko.phpOpen ↗ (101 + 201)
gps4fun.comgar forerunner 201.phpOpen ↗

John Harlow said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

>I have been seriously worried after running out of fluids a time or two. I was thinking of
>getting one of these little suckers and putting it on my handlebars. Whatdya think?

Darwin in action?

Wow, nice shot. I guess I am a whole lot 'stupider' than I though. Thanks for pointing it out!
Picture this... Central Florida, Ocala National Forest. Over 28000 acres and over 100 miles of
tight twisty unmarked singletrack through head high Thick underbrush. How would you get in and out
without occasionally getting lost. Instead of being a mindless [censored], with dull comments. How
about offering some of your vast knowledge up for the rest of us?

Sorry, Jerry; it struck me as odd you claim to repeatedly get lost to the brink of personal
detriment. You are right though, a glib comment served no use.

Something which has worked for me is to ride with someone who knows the place well - at least
until I can figure out how to get out on my own!

It seems reasonable for the backwoods adventurer type to learn basic navigation skills using a
map, compass, GPS, water pills and whatever else you might need. Maybe there is a local Search and
Rescue (SAR) team in your area which can help teach those techniques. I will defer to experts on
this though as I mostly piddle around in city parks.

It was funny! I was serious about it being a good one. Very nice response as well, rather refreshing
to see somebody not bother to argue on a newsgroup, now I have a good place to put some well earned
respect 🙂

I used to be a BMX racer until a pretty bad injury, I took up mountain biking for the fun, plus the
jumps (around here) arent nearly as as severe, I think I want to try and stay closer to the ground
now that I am pushing 40. I am biking with a co-worker and my 13 year old son, both of which are
exploring the local areas as well. It really isn't as desperate as I made it sounds, but there are a
couple of times, when we would much rather be in the car headed home instead of passing that stump
for the fourh time! And I would say that jumping on a shiny new $3000.00 bike and heading off into
woods I have never been in before with two bottles of gatorade, and a big ol grin certainly had the
potential to earn me a Darwin award.

Jerry

Jerry Everetts spray painted on a boxcar:

Quoted message said:

Has anybody seen the Garmin Geko? it looks a good bit smaller than an e-trex, I sometimes get lost
on the trails and a two hour ride turns into an all day "death-march" while trying to find the
trailhead again. I have been seriously worried after running out of fluids a time or two. I was
thinking of getting one of these little suckers and putting it on my handlebars. Whatdya think?

Jerry

How about just take more water?

If there's a lot of tree cover chances are pretty good you'll have problems with the signal anyway.
(I own a GPS, not making this up)

If it's in the NF... they should have a somewhat current trail map. (?) Around here, each forest
puts out a trail guide, nothing special in format that lists all the trails and gives rudimentary
illustrations that coincide with the "official" forest map. These are usually much more accurate
that the 20 year old un updated topo maps. Call and ask for the recreation person and they should
send them to you for free.

Penny

"Jerry Everetts" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

John Harlow said:

Quoted message said:

>>I have been seriously worried after running out of fluids a time or

two.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

>> I was thinking of getting one of these little suckers and putting it on my handlebars.
>> Whatdya think?
>
>
>Darwin in action?
>
>

Wow, nice shot. I guess I am a whole lot 'stupider' than I though. Thanks for pointing it out!
Picture this... Central Florida, Ocala National Forest. Over 28000 acres and over 100 miles of
tight twisty unmarked singletrack through head high Thick underbrush. How would you get in and
out without occasionally getting lost. Instead of being a mindless [censored], with dull comments.
How about offering some of your vast knowledge up for the rest of us?

Sorry, Jerry; it struck me as odd you claim to repeatedly get lost to

the

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

brink of personal detriment. You are right though, a glib comment

served no

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

use.

Something which has worked for me is to ride with someone who knows the place well - at least
until I can figure out how to get out on my own!

It seems reasonable for the backwoods adventurer type to learn basic navigation skills using a
map, compass, GPS, water pills and whatever

else

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

you might need. Maybe there is a local Search and Rescue (SAR) team in

your

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

area which can help teach those techniques. I will defer to experts on

this

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

though as I mostly piddle around in city parks.

It was funny! I was serious about it being a good one. Very nice response as well, rather
refreshing to see somebody not bother to argue on a newsgroup, now I have a good place to put some
well earned respect 🙂

I used to be a BMX racer until a pretty bad injury, I took up mountain biking for the fun, plus
the jumps (around here) arent nearly as as severe, I think I want to try and stay closer to the
ground now that I am pushing 40. I am biking with a co-worker and my 13 year old son, both of
which are exploring the local areas as well. It really isn't as desperate as I made it sounds, but
there are a couple of times, when we would much rather be in the car headed home instead of
passing that stump for the fourh time! And I would say that jumping on a shiny new $3000.00 bike
and heading off into woods I have never been in before with two bottles of gatorade, and a big ol
grin certainly had the potential to earn me a Darwin award.

Jerry

No Darwin award for you. You've already had kids. ;^)

Mike

"John Harlow" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

some fla 'mountain biker said:

Instead of being a mindless [censored]<snip>

Hmmmm, I don't seem to remember Harlow being the mindless [censored] who is whining about his lack of
orienteering skills. The Darwinism comment was funny because it's true.

Quoted message said:

It seems reasonable for the backwoods adventurer type to learn basic navigation skills using a
map, compass<snip>

It is reasonable. Our new pal is obviously not a reasonable person. Maybe he should stick to
sidewalks or get a road bike.

JD

JD said:

"John Harlow" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

some fla 'mountain biker said:

Instead of being a mindless [censored]<snip>

Hmmmm, I don't seem to remember Harlow being the mindless [censored] who is whining about his lack of
orienteering skills. The Darwinism comment was funny because it's true.

Quoted message said:

It seems reasonable for the backwoods adventurer type to learn basic navigation skills using a
map, compass<snip>

It is reasonable. Our new pal is obviously not a reasonable person. Maybe he should stick to
sidewalks or get a road bike.

JD

Your jab is a little late, everything has already gone friendly. Try to keep up...

Jerry Everetts said:

Your jab is a little late, everything has already gone friendly. Try to keep up...

Keep up...that's funny, especially coming from someone who probably couldn't find his ass with a
handful of toilet paper. Go ride your "mountains".

JD

Quoted message said:

I used to be a BMX racer until a pretty bad injury, I took up mountain biking for the fun, plus
the jumps (around here) arent nearly as as severe, I think I want to try and stay closer to the
ground now that I am pushing 40.

You've come to the right place. From what I've seen the vast majority of regulars here are over 40
(myself included ).

Quoted message said:

I am biking with a co-worker and my 13 year old son, both of which are exploring the local areas
as well. It really isn't as desperate as I made it sounds, but there are a couple of times, when
we would much rather be in the car headed home instead of passing that stump for the fourh time!

Lol - I know that feeling, but likely on a much smaller scale!

Quoted message said:

And I would say that jumping on a shiny new $3000.00 bike and heading off into woods I have never
been in before with two bottles of gatorade, and a big ol grin certainly had the potential to earn
me a Darwin award.

Hehe - I'll bet it won't be long before you know that place really well. Then I'll come down and get
*you* to show me around! 😉

Have fun, and keep us posted on your adventures.

"Jerry Everetts" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Has anybody seen the Garmin Geko? it looks a good bit smaller than an e-trex, I sometimes get lost
on the trails and a two hour ride turns into an all day "death-march" while trying to find the
trailhead again. I have been seriously worried after running out of fluids a time or two. I was
thinking of getting one of these little suckers and putting it on my handlebars. Whatdya think?

Jerry

I have a 201. I haven't used it for navigation yet, just trail mapping so I can't speciffically
speak to that issue. I just turn it on, put it in the camelbak and turn it off when I'm done riding.
As far as the unit itself, it's small (about the size of a modern cell phone) and easy to use, but
I'd get the 201, the 101 has no pc connectivity and the 301 has only two extra features, a compass
(the 201 does too but you just need to be in motion to activate it, big deal) and an altimeter,
useless in Florida I would guess. I wouldn't bother putting it on the bars either. Easier to pocket
it. If you do get one check out the GPSgeek ebayer, makes knockoff power/connector cords that are
way cheaper than Garmin's.

Chris

JD said:

Jerry Everetts said:

Your jab is a little late, everything has already gone friendly. Try to keep up...

Keep up...that's funny, especially coming from someone who probably couldn't find his ass with a
handful of toilet paper. Go ride your "mountains".

JD

hmmmm, that was a clever response. you really showed me. Thanks for playing, and thanks for REALLY
teaching me a lesson 😉

Jerry Everetts spray painted on a boxcar:

Quoted message said:

JD said:

Jerry Everetts said:

Your jab is a little late, everything has already gone friendly. Try to keep up...

Keep up...that's funny, especially coming from someone who probably couldn't find his ass with a
handful of toilet paper. Go ride your "mountains".

JD

hmmmm, that was a clever response. you really showed me. Thanks for playing, and thanks for REALLY
teaching me a lesson 😉

The best GPS lesson I've gotten so far is how unreliable they are under cover moving at speed. I was
very dissapointed when trying to make a track for one ride that we do that is in very deep forest. I
think the only way to get that particular 2 mile section would be to walk it slowly, and take lots
of way pionts manually.

Penny

Penny S said:

Jerry Everetts spray painted on a boxcar:

Quoted message said:

JD said:

Jerry Everetts <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:

>Your jab is a little late, everything has already gone friendly. Try to keep up...

Keep up...that's funny, especially coming from someone who probably couldn't find his ass with a
handful of toilet paper. Go ride your "mountains".

JD

hmmmm, that was a clever response. you really showed me. Thanks for playing, and thanks for REALLY
teaching me a lesson 😉

The best GPS lesson I've gotten so far is how unreliable they are under cover moving at speed. I
was very dissapointed when trying to make a track for one ride that we do that is in very deep
forest. I think the only way to get that particular 2 mile section would be to walk it slowly, and
take lots of way pionts manually.

Penny

Depends on satelite coverage and blockage. I have a 12 channel unit with a spiral antenna (better
reception, but a little bigger) and usually have good luck -- but not always 🙂. Try it in the
winter when there are no leaves on the trees (makes more difference than you may think). Try it on a
day when the GPS shows good satelite coverage (yea, it's the luck of the draw). Move the hills and
trees that are blocking the satelites 🙂. But, now you know why I also carry a compass 🙂. When the
GPS's working good, I know right where I am and where I've been. But, I've had times when I really
wanted to know, but didn't!

David

David Kunz said:

Penny S said:

Jerry Everetts spray painted on a boxcar:

Quoted message said:

JD wrote:

> Jerry Everetts <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:
>
>
>
>> Your jab is a little late, everything has already gone friendly. Try to keep up...
>
>
>
> Keep up...that's funny, especially coming from someone who probably couldn't find his ass with
> a handful of toilet paper. Go ride your "mountains".
>
> JD

hmmmm, that was a clever response. you really showed me. Thanks for playing, and thanks for
REALLY teaching me a lesson 😉

The best GPS lesson I've gotten so far is how unreliable they are under cover moving at speed. I
was very dissapointed when trying to make a track for one ride that we do that is in very deep
forest. I think the only way to get that particular 2 mile section would be to walk it slowly,
and take lots of way pionts manually.

Penny

Depends on satelite coverage and blockage. I have a 12 channel unit with a spiral antenna (better
reception, but a little bigger) and usually have good luck -- but not always 🙂. Try it in the
winter when there are no leaves on the trees (makes more difference than you may think). Try it on
a day when the GPS shows good satelite coverage (yea, it's the luck of the draw). Move the hills
and trees that are blocking the satelites 🙂. But, now you know why I also carry a compass 🙂.
When the GPS's working good, I know right where I am and where I've been. But, I've had times when
I really wanted to know, but didn't!

David

HA! did you say winter? where I live, there is no winter, well maybe it gets down to 60 on a really
chilly day 😉 But really, we bike in shorts in January.