Learning how to create routes that can be shared with others via GPX files. I created this in OnX and was able to export and view in Gaia, looking for a 2nd opinion that I did this right…let me know if you can open in your application of choice. Thanks !
onx-markups-06182026.gpx (56.7 KB)
I was able to import the file and view it in DMD on my tablet
A few route planning tips, not necessarily specific to this route / track that you created:
If it’s a route for a full day of riding, recommend that you break into a series of shorter sections / shorter tracks, especially if it’s a ride with A and B ride components.
For example:
Recommended that each section start and finish at a terrain feature: a road intersection, a creek, etc, and then identify the start of the next track by placing a waypoint there. Finally, it’s helpful to then assign different colors to the different “flavors” of routes. For example:
This break into shorter segments and color scheme protocol is especially valuable if the route intersects itself, doubles back, etc, and if most of the people on the ride haven’t done the ride before. For example, these riders may choose to only have visible the current track they’re riding. When they reach the end the current track (also marked with a waypoint, see above), they make the next track visible, etc.
Best to publish the ride as a GPX file attached to a post, as you did, vs a simple link to your route in Gaia, OnX, etc. If the person clicking on the link doesn’t have an account with that platform, they’ll now have to create an account, the figure out that platform, likely have to figure out how to download the track as GPX file and then import into the nav software or device of their choice. Instead:
In this way, uploading a GPX file to a post is similar to sharing a PDF file vs Word, Pages, etc. Any device can open up a .pdf. But if you attach a .doc file, and I’m a Mac guy…we all know how that goes.
Route vs Track
Route:
When creating a Route in an online planner, you click on a point on a road/trail, then click on another point on a road/trail. The software then connects those two points using some routing software. Repeat the process and the planner creates the route by connecting the dots. Turn by turn instructions can then sometimes be generated by your device when the route is loaded. HOWEVER, if this route is downloaded as a GPX and then imported into a different route planning app or platform, sometimes that routing logic won’t necessarily “take” in the other platform. Instead:
Create the Route in the planner, then, if possible, convert the route to a Track, which DMD defines as:
In other words, converting a Route to a Track is similar to using Word to create a document, save that as a .pdf, and then sharing that .pdf. The Track is basically nav platform / device agnostic.
Finally, when you’re in the field riding and following a GPX track, highly recommend that you record the ride. Recording the ride will color over the track as you ride it. Then, for example, if the color of the recorded track is purple and the color of the track you’re riding is green, you’ll instantly know when you’re off the track, as you’ll clearly see when the purple diverges from the green.
Great information, thanks Rich !