GS500 America Relay - Ideas?

[BassWoW]

Yes, sorry. Just now got around to putting myself in.

My parents, sister, and brother-in-law ride too. Just not GSes. Hopefully they won't tarnish the reputation of this USA tour if they come ride with me too.

FWIW, I have a GS (obviously), Dad has Shadow 750, Mom Shadow 600, Sister Virago 250, Bro-in-law FZ6.

I wouldn't mind meeting up in mass and riding up nh and me with you either- Its always a fun ride and boston is always good to visit.

Can we talk about what to include in the "baton"?  I forget how exactly the Aussie's did it, but I think there is some kind of log with everyone's name and handle, year of GS500, and how many miles they went with the baton, correct?  Also, we could include a huge road map of the US so that we can highlight the route that you took.  Then later on we can more easily transfer that to a google map.  All of this should be kept in a waterproof container.  Who wants to build it?

I volunteer to build the baton/document holder.  It will contain at a minimum a US map and a log.

The best option I see is a clear mailing tube like this



That would contain a US Map and a log printout similar to this



Just roll up the documents like a scroll, stuff in tube, and Presto!  You have a baton.

This is a great idea also.. Now if we do end up with huge gaps. is there a backup plan to get it to the other areas. For example: Newengland has a good gap to the MW and texas as well.

Just shooting out ideas.

[jestercinti]

I think until we get the final rider participation list/map (which will come with time), too soon to tell how the route will look.  Thus far, it looks like there is more interest in a 48 state relay than an American perimeter or coast-to-coast relay.  Again, only time will tell.

However, I have thought of that issue (huge gaps, what do we do now?).  If too huge of a gap, we can modify the route.  As with most quests similar to this, there will be some detours along the way.  More of a squiggly-line route than a straight shot.

Let's keep up the conversation.  I'm glad that there is a lot of interest.

[tom.gabriele]

Don't know how much these cost, but what about including a little GPS logger in with the baton/package? Track the real time position of it, see progress, routes taken, etc.

It wouldn't be too big of an invasion of privacy if it had an on/off switch, right?

[jestercinti]

Don't know how much these cost, but what about including a little GPS logger in with the baton/package? Track the real time position of it, see progress, routes taken, etc.

It wouldn't be too big of an invasion of privacy if it had an on/off switch, right?

Thought about that too...but the privacy thing kept coming up.  This would mean that with today's privacy rules, we'd have to have a "GS500 Relay Privacy Policy" and that gets messy.  And, there would be a record of everywhere the GPS tracking device went, and I mean everywhere (home, work, grandma's house, etc).  Privacy laws also can vary by state/locality  .

It might be easier to skip a GPS tracking device.  Just my 2 cents...

[tom.gabriele]

The laws don't apply if every user is willfully and knowingly carrying a powered-on GPS device, right?

I was thinking...you could turn it off 5 mins from home, then turn it on 5 minutes away on your way out again. No one would know exactly where you live, but there would still be plenty of information to track the progress.

Anyway, I'll keep it in mind if it's cheap/agreeable enough for everyone.

[jestercinti]

Tom, not sure.  I am not a privacy lawyer.   

It might be something to look into, but I was just thinking on the side of caution here.  It's like when the cell phones had Geo-tracking turned on without everyone knowing it, and it sparked an outrage.   

[bombsquad83]

So I just made this topic the website link in my profile.  So if you are having trouble finding it, just click on the globe under my avatar. 

[jestercinti]

Awesome. Lets get more members out west to fill in the gaps.

Can't wait for spring!

[BassWoW]

 

We need everyones support on this to add themselves to the map. Even if you can't run a 300 mile distance- there may be others who could meet with you and continue the journey!

[k.rollin]

I tried to update the map with my area of operation. I live in Mount Vernon, WA and ride north/south from the Canadian border to Arlington, WA and east/west from Whidbey Island to the Cascades. My shape is kind of wonky though, I don't think I did it quite right.

[steezin_and_wheezin]

Yeah, I could do atlanta as well... Probably take the Slab on the way up or back...

Missed this, 10-4!! I'll extent my circle to ATL. I've actually never heard of slab. Are you talking about Slabtown? Just wiki'd it and got the new "Art on the Beltline" looks pretty damn sweet. Would be a cool photo spot.

edit: my shape looks like a comic quote bubble haha

[jestercinti]

I tried to update the map with my area of operation. I live in Mount Vernon, WA and ride north/south from the Canadian border to Arlington, WA and east/west from Whidbey Island to the Cascades. My shape is kind of wonky though, I don't think I did it quite right.

K.Rollin, have you seen my shape...it's pretty mangled.  No where near a circle.  Glad to have you on the map!

[k.rollin]

I tried to update the map with my area of operation. I live in Mount Vernon, WA and ride north/south from the Canadian border to Arlington, WA and east/west from Whidbey Island to the Cascades. My shape is kind of wonky though, I don't think I did it quite right.

K.Rollin, have you seen my shape...it's pretty mangled.  No where near a circle.  Glad to have you on the map!

My problem was that I used the line tool instead of the shape tool, and I had it set to snap to roads after it already had a perimeter set up. It was pretty bad, but I got it fixed now.

[adidasguy]

I tried to update the map with my area of operation. I live in Mount Vernon, WA and ride north/south from the Canadian border to Arlington, WA and east/west from Whidbey Island to the Cascades. My shape is kind of wonky though, I don't think I did it quite right.

But never south to West Seattle.

[k.rollin]

I tried to update the map with my area of operation. I live in Mount Vernon, WA and ride north/south from the Canadian border to Arlington, WA and east/west from Whidbey Island to the Cascades. My shape is kind of wonky though, I don't think I did it quite right.

But never south to West Seattle.

Nothing against you or the other riders down that way. I just hate riding in town. Hell, when I was going to school in Bellingham, I would often leave Taarna at the park and ride and walk/bus around downtown.

I'd also be open to expanding my area of coverage. What I have marked is where I travel the most.

[BassWoW]

Nothing against you or the other riders down that way. I just hate riding in town. Hell, when I was going to school in Bellingham, I would often leave Taarna at the park and ride and walk/bus around downtown.

I know that feeling; When I go to boston I leave my bike at portsmouth train station and head down. Boston is so busy and packed that there is no way I could ride through that.

[lboaman]

Coming out of Charleston - added my area to the Google Map. 

[BockinBboy]

Excellent! That actually bridges a small gap!

- Bboy

[jestercinti]

Coming out of Charleston - added my area to the Google Map. 

Welcome lboaman!

[BassWoW]

We need more involvement. This is more imporant than meeting up everyweek for a ride with friends on sunday. Vote and be a part of GStwin history!