The GPS RouteXchange

Thank you for visiting the GPS RouteXchange. These are our operating assumptions:

  1. You're an off-road motorcyclist with a street-legal dual-sport bike.
  2. You ride with a GPS mounted in a visible location on your bike.
  3. You're familiar with basic GPS functions like track-logs, waypoints and routes, and can transfer GPS data to and from your computer.
  4. You hope this GPS stuff will take you to interesting places to ride.

Since this site is evolving, things will continue to change. Your input determines how well this project progresses.

What we want to be

The vision for the GPS RouteXchange is to be the Auto Club for dual sporting. You will come to the web site, pick your destination and download an accurate track log. The track will have all major turns waypointed and fuel stops identified. All we ask is that you submit a great ride that you have personally done, in exchange for the route you receive.

What we are not

  1. We are not in the map business. Your GPS has position information and we make use of this feature. We provide data with position information on where to ride. The maps are up to you.
  2. We are not an information source for GPS hardware. There are excellent sites on the web dedicated to this topic. One of the best is www.gpsinformation.net
  3. We have no information about weather conditions or if a particular trail is open or closed today. The data we provide was a legal riding area when collected, but that could change. There are always temporary closures for trail work, fire danger or wildlife issues that are impossible to track on a daily basis. You are responsible for knowing the legal issues for the area you are riding.

Web Site Update - August 1, 2005

Due to time constraints and other commitments, the GPS RouteXchange database is temporarily unavailable, and we will not be able to receive new route submissions. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Please check back in the Fall for further updates regarding the GPS RouteXchange service.

How the GPS RouteXchange Works

Data formats

We will only support the '*.gdb' and '*.gpx' formats.

The primary data format for the GPS RouteXchange will be Garmin's '*.gdb' format. If you're not using Garmin's GPS hardware or MapSource software, please submit your track-log data in the '*.gpx' format. To do this, you may want to download the demo version of TopoFusion, or the free EasyGPS software, to your PC.

We currently have off-road track logs for Southern California in the Big Bear Lake area, Central California in the Mammoth Lakes area, Southwest Utah and Southwestern Colorado. New data will be posted as we receive it.

This is an exchange system. You have to submit GPS data for a ride you've done to get access to our Route Library.

Routes that are designated as an "Initial Submission" have not been verified by another rider. This data needs confirmation for track accuracy, major turns may need to be way-pointed, and general comments about the ride need to be collected. This data is still untested and needs to be carefully reviewed. Since we have no way of knowing what dangers are present along the way, please ride with caution and don't ride alone.

Helpful Links

For two simple examples of how to use your GPS, check out the CycoActive web site:

    1) Compass Example
    2) Track-Log Example

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How do I use my GPS Unit with my PC?

A. We can only give you a general idea, using a specific GPS unit and software to provide an example. Of course, your setup will likely be different if you are working with something else. To see how we set up a Garmin eTrex Vista C to work with Garmin's MapSource software, go to the Garmin Example.

Q. You're not supporting the GPS Software I am currently using.

A. Sorry about that. There are simply too many different GPS software packages to support them all. The selection of the Garmin MapSource data format is based on the fact that most of the Big Bear Trail Riders' club members are using Garmin hardware and software.

Q. I don't have any GPS data to submit. What can you do for me?

A. The data marked 'Initial Submission' is available for download without exchange. This data is new to our database and we need someone to confirm the track-log accuracy, mark the major turns with waypoints and make comments about the ride. Since this is new data, we have no way of knowing what dangers are present along the way. Ride with caution and never ride alone.

Q. Why is this a free service?

A. Because we have nothing to sell. The data on this site is simply GPS data submitted by folks like you. This idea grew out of a discussion with a bunch of GPS geeks wanting to find more places to ride.

Q. Why don't you have any data for my State.

A. No one has submitted any. Would you like to be the first?

Q. I'm new to GPS and not sure what this technology can do for me.

A. We are dedicated to serve the folks who are completely familiar with GPS technology. When you reach the point that riding without a GPS just seems wrong you will understand why this place exists.

Q. How do I know if the data is accurate?

A. You don't. We are completely dependent on our users. All data that is marked 'Initial Submission' has not been independently verified by anyone. The rest of our data has been verified by at least one other user. Any 'Initial Submission' that turns out to have serious problems, like private property conflicts or wilderness trespass, will be deleted from the data base and the person who submitted the data will be warned that they may have their access to the GPS RouteXchange database revoked.