This page provides links to many rides that you can display in the excellent Google Earth program. Google Earth provides a 3D satellite image of the whole Earth in startling detail. The rides provided here are plotted on this 3D image - allowing you a unique perspective on the ride. If you want to have a look at a few sample images from the bike tracks provided on this site, then have a look at the samples page.

You will need

You will need a copy of Goggle Earth. This is free and can be obtained from Google - the download page can be found here. It is only about 15 megs. You will also need a Broadband Internet connection as the images stream in as you move around the virtual world. Google also suggests that computers older than 4 years might have trouble - again due to speed issues, I presume. If you have a laptop, then you will need one newer than 2 years.

You will need to install Google Earth BEFORE you run any of the ride links provided here. You can of course download these ride files for use elsewhere (ie at work!).

What to do

1. download Google Earth,install it, and run it.
2. Go to the Ride Tracks/Routes page and Open a file. The track will appear in Google Earth as an entry under "My Places". It should also display immediately.
3. If you have been loading track after track, it may be useful to disable the older tracks. You do this by unchecking the tick next to the older tracks (in Google Earth).

How these rides are generated

Most of these tracks have been taken from a Garmin eMap GPS unit (like the one pictured here). The ride was actually ridden with the GPS unit mounted on the handlebars of the bike. The eMap (like most GPS units) records every movement, leaving what is called a track. This track is then converted with special software into the format required by Google Earth.

The rides

Over time, we have gathered a number of ride tracks for you to use. See the Ride Tracks/Routes page for the current list.