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GPX Files - page 01
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| Item | FileName & link for download | File size & format | Notes |
| 1 | ACW-40miles.gpx |
54 KB <rte> |
The ACW 40-mile route as one path including all 18 maps from the "Green Book" as a single route. Updated version for 2012 with only 958 points (older versions were over 2000, then 1295, then progressively reducing to current size.) Format is in "<rte> with lots of <rtept>" structure. |
| 2 | ACW+CW+etc.gpx |
471 KB <rte> |
The Bing Map paths all in one file, created from Bing. Includes ACW as 18 "Maps", All 21 Circular walks as segments linking to ACW, plus many smaller features. |
| 3 | ACW-40miles_trk-lonvia.gpx |
63 KB <trk> |
As item 1, but in "<trk> <trkseg> with lots of
<trkpt>" format. Derived from hiking.lonvia resulting in 1169 points but no more useful detail (the extra points are mostly because the OSM map used on Lonvia uses points for other T junctions, start & end of a bridge, etc.) |
| 4 | 21 Circular Walks lonvia - see
GPX Files - page 02 |
331 KB in total |
Link takes you to a separate table with 21 links to individual files for each map, and notes as needed. |
| 5 |
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| 6 | ACW-40miles_trk-Sporttracks.gpx |
<trk> |
As 3, but derived by David using lonvia to make it suitable for his garmin (coming soon) |
| 7 |
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| 8 | ACW-40miles+labels.gpx |
57 KB <rte> |
As 1, but with all some key points "named" with a label. Currently shows start points for most Green Book maps 1 to 18, and some of Check Points 1 to 7. I(s such a gpx file useful? |
Current Status
After a number of requests over recent years for such files, we have at last made a useful attempt. They have been tested in the field by two "volunteers" when doing the 40-mile Challenge on Sunday 17th April.
They have now been updated. All are invited to test the new files in practice for the Apr-2012 event!
Those wishing to try them on their PC might like to load them into Google Earth, or just open them in notepad?
Detail
To follow, including how they were created, and discussion on content.
As a first draft I reproduce below the contents of an email I recently sent to one of our users (who has a Garmin/Sporttracks3 set-up which needs <rte> format):
1. Your File
Soon after receiving it I loaded it into Google Earth, and
found it faithfully reproduced all the points exactly as in my file
you based it on. A bit later I opened it in Notepad and found that
the big differences were:
- Your files are based on a <trk> <trkseg> with lots
of
<trkpt lat="xxx" lon="xxx"> <ele>eeee</ele> <time>ttttt</time> </trkpt>
- My files are based on a <rte> with lots of
<rtept lat="xxx" lon="xxx" />
Is this the feature which makes it work in your
Garmin/Sporttracks setup?
2. OSM & Lonvia Hiking
I had used my original file to create much of the the route on
OSM, and viewing this in hiking.lonvia
I wondered if this was a good route for preparing gpx files. The
resultant gpx files are the same basic format as yours, but without
the <ele> & <time> tags. However my biggest problem
of using that method was that it increases the number of points due
to extra points where a junction to another path, a change to
embankment, cutting, bridge start, bridge end, etc is added to the
basic OSM source data. It also started and finished in Church Lane
for some reason!
3. Updates of ACW route, and how shown on Bing Map
A significant number of minor changes have been made to the
Bing map since the base version for the gpx file you used was
created. These included :
- "Corrections" to make the route more accurate due to
comparisons with gpx files recorded by a few users on 2011
Challenge, reports of errors by users, etc.
- For 2012 Challenge we will be using the Connect2Kenilwoth new
bridge and route across Kenilworth Common. This has now been added
to the Bing and OSM maps.
- "Optimisations" to reduce the total number of points without reducing the map as an adequately accurate representation of the path. This helps to speed use of the Bing Map, but more importantly reduces the size of the gpx file - a significant request from many who attempted to use it. My original GPX file had over 2000 points, reduced to 1295 on the version you used. It is now down to 959, even after adding a detailed representation of the K2K path.
4. What should be the requirements for a gpx file?
Many variables are involved. A few I note are:
- <trk> or <rte> or <???> structure?
- Header data - are there any "rules" so all can use it?
- Number of points maximum.? ACW can't be represented by much
less than 1000, but one user believes his device has a specified
limit of 500, but it worked with the 650 odd some utility had
reduced it to (BUT it seemed to have reduced by missing out about
every other point, so in some places was potentially useless as a
guide of which way to go!).
- Size of file. This could logically be as significant a
limitation as number of points. Any guidance?
- Any naming of points recommended? The first attempt I created
included naming of Start, Start of each of the 17 other maps,
names of the 7 Check Points. This would seem useful (or maybe
essential if some wish to do the challenge without using the Green
Book!). It also made a very attractive Google Earth picture!
- Other variables?
- Reference Guides already available? I have so far failed to
find any - who should I ask?
5. Short Term Proposals
I suggest for "immediate" actions:
- I will publish my current 959 point
<rte> version
- If you could convert this to your <trk> version, I will publish that as well
I will also add appropriate notes, and maybe much of above in
the "Details" at the end, PLUS make the gpx news item a permanently
linked page on the website!
6. Longer Term Proposals
In the medium term, if you let me know how to do the
conversion, I will publish any future updates in both
versions.
In the longer term, I hope to determine a more robust process,
including giving advice to users! This will include searching for
Sporttracks to see if this educates me on another little
point.
I might even buy a GPS device so I can get practical
experience! I have been waiting till a full system is available on a
SmartPhone, so I can have all the goodies in one device - it's bound
to arrive soon, but maybe not this Xmas?
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