Many Club ride leaders use their cell phones, computers, watches, and mapping software for route exploration, guiding, tracking, and recording. They are generous about sharing their map data and know-how about bike routes with other ride leaders, particularly those getting started and interested riders.
Here are some mapping tips if you are keen to know more:
- Our Club members use an assortment of software for mapping, such as Google Maps, Garmin, Map-My-Ride, and Ride with GPS. We have not tried to standardize away from individual preferences recognizing that other clubs have had difficulty doing so; technology improves continuously; ride routes, maps, and records become obsolete over time; volunteers turn over.
- Our Club has created a curated list of over 200 club rides sorted by distance and level. Routes with .GPX in the filename allow you to download .GPX files for turn by turn directions on your mapping apps.
- Choose a mapping software that feels comfortable. However, mapping software is not required if routes are uncomplicated.
- Explore for rides while tracking with your cell phone. Ask an experienced leader to partner with you in designing a ride.
- Phone based GPX tracking runs down your battery quickly.To avoid being lost with a dead phone carry a power bank to rechargeyour phone as needed.
- You should feel comfortable copying an existing ride and staging your event on a different day, fine-tuning the route to your liking.
- Practice your ride before the posted date. Don't rely excessively on your cell phone to guide you during the event. For safetydo not look at your phone while moving and use bone conduction head phone or hearing aids to remain aware of your surroundings.
- Consult the City of Calgary "Cycling City Streets and Pathways," their paper publication distributed and sold periodically in various recreation centers and retail stores, and their mobile apps. City websites provide information about detour routes and closures, safety, and parks.
We always welcome new leaders, usually with fresh approaches to the job, new rides, and varied ways of carrying out well-known ones. Ride leading leads to unanticipated personal discoveries of new areas in the city and rewarding praise from group members after an excellent ride. Talk to a ride coordinator or an experienced ride leader about your aspirations.