One of the interesting tools to emerge for geeky bicyclists during the past few years is mapping technology. This allows users to chart a route on a map in order to obtain distance, elevation, and other information about the ride. It also lets you share a course with other people.
Standalone mapping software has been out for a number of years. But in last couple years several free websites have been launched, bringing the technology to all Internet users. Among these are:
Map It Pronto
Gmap Pedometer
Bikely
Routeslip
Map My Ride
Using the latter, here’s the ride I did Sunday:
In short, I started near Heritage High School, followed the Little River to Walland, took Walden’s Creek Road to Pigeon Forge, looped around Bluff Mountain, and returned on the north side. It’s a scenic, somewhat hilly ride. The map claims there are 6,097ft of climbing on the route. I think that due to topographical ground noise (or whatever) that figure is significantly overestimated. I suspect the actual number is somewhere in the 3,000 to 4,000 ft range. At any rate, it’s enough to give your legs a workout.
I intended to cap the ride off with a climb up the Foothills Parkway. But by the time I finished the above loop it was late enough that darkness was becoming a factor. Plus I wasn’t feeling too energetic. So I wimped out and opted for a few more miles along the Little River. All told I logged 54 sunny miles Sunday afternoon–an outstanding ending to the weekend.