GO2BERG USES GPS NAVIGATION
GPS navigation is tried and tested. It has been a massive success in virtually eliminating marking on our pristine route. Without GPS you will be lost.
Why do I need a special GPS unit and not my mobile phone?
Mobile phones are not suited as there are many areas of the ride where data connection for mobile phones is non-existent. The battery on a mobile phone will run out quickly.
WHAT TYPE OF GPS DO I NEED?
Any light GPS that can be mounted on a bike, upload tracks and allows you to follow these tracks.
WHAT DEVICES ARE RECOMMENDED?
There are a number of suitable GPS navigation devices available. To find out if your GPS unit is suitable, you need to establish if it can upload GPX, TCX or FIT files to follow tracks. Go online to check, there are many forums and websites about the model you will be interested in. Simply type the name of your model and the word GPX and you will find all the info you need.
We do not endorse any particular unit. You will have to do some research to make sure you are happy.
Our goal is to provide you with a wonderful GPS experience regardless of which device you use – we will have a generic approach to GPS so that we include all users. Our recommendation is to get your GPS device soon and practise – it is easy. If you have an issue please contact us.
WHY DO I NEED A SPECIAL GPS UNIT AND NOT MY MOBILE PHONE?
Okay, this is a good question so follow carefully. You can theoretically use some apps on your mobile phone to link to GPS direct without requiring network signal, however, this is not optimal as there are many areas of the ride where data connection for mobile phones is non-existent.
Other reasons mobile phones are not appropriate as your main GPS device:
- The battery on a mobile phone will run out quickly
- The screen on a mobile phone times out to avoid the battery running out, so you need to keep activating the screen to come on which further wastes battery (and could be dangerous)
- You will need to find a bike mount for your mobile phone, and if it rains most mobile phones are not waterproof
- The screens are very difficult to see in the sun on most mobile phones
- Mobile phones are not robust and if you do have a fall they could shatter unlike GPS devices which are more rugged.
The idea is to use your mobile as a backup. Take it with you in case but do not rely on it. It is not a suitable substitute for a dedicated GPS device. Your GPS device is easy to see and follow, it will stay on at all times, it uses a fraction of the battery power, and it is designed for this purpose.
WHEN WILL WE RECEIVE THE ROUTE FILES TO UPLOAD TO OUR GPS DEVICES?
We will send the final daily routes to you in early August. These files will also be available at registration at our GPS helpdesk – our gurus will be there to assist. Try not to wait until registration to upload as you want to be comfortable with this before.