Forum for tankbags maps?

[PAULBACH]

The least common denominator is not ON or even owning a Beemer but the fact that we ride. The BMWMOA and forum visitors have touring in their blood.

A few times a year we do go further than from the grocery store or the bank and then back home. For some riding across the US is not a big deal.

How about a Forum that is just tank bag routes sorted by state? Everyone could contribute their favorite ride. What is needed is a template and agreed up format. Then all the great rides could be stored and called up at one's leisure.

The stored tank-bag routes would also encourage increased use of the forum by all members and visitors. Add a print button that would allow even the most computer challenged and we have a new resource for the riding community.

Let's start with Wisconsin.

Any thoughts? :bikes

[SNC1923]

I think this is nothing short of brilliant.

[BuckeyeClark]

Honestly one of the best ideas I have read. Definitely something I would use and possibly contribute to.

[Visian]

Here's a start...

http://www.bmwmoa.org/rally/rally03/maps/dayrides.pdf

[PAULBACH]

I like the Visian format a lot. Maybe I could add a map to this one.

New York Lake George To Chestertown on Route 9
I-87 Exit 23, north on Route 9 through Warrensburg to Chestertown about 7 miles past junction of Routes 9 & 28

Stop in Chestertown to explore this quaint and charming village.

At the junction of Route 8, turn left on Routes 8/9; stay on Route 9 around picturesque Loon Lake.

Continue toward Pottersville and I-87 Exit 26.

Driving Time: 3/4 hour one way plus stops.
.
Commentary
1. In Chestertown: Stop and visit the Ural Motorcycle Dealer for faux BMW bikes

2. Warrensburg has good rest stop at McDonalds or just north of Warrensburg stop at 4144 Route 9, the Hometown Skillet. Warrensburg is loaded with “Klingon” vendors during Americade

3. A nice side trip is to Johnsburg to visit Heids BMW and Hodaka (Garnet Lake Road on left just past the general store)

[Mika]

I really like this idea.

Where do you start? The blank page is what intimidates so many rider - writers. I have been looking around for a prompt format to get me writing trip reports. I cam across this at adventure motorcycling (http://www.adventure-motorcycling.com/trip/). Scroll down to the DIY Form and click on that. I think it would have to be worked over to meet our needs, but may be a place to start.

They do a nice job of capturing and sortin the reports here (http://www.adventure-motorcycling.com/trip/).

If we were to come up with a simple prompt format for people to follow maybe we would get more ride reports.

Once we figure out the simple promt format we could figure out how to automate much of it.

Once figure out how to automate it we can collect and sort it.

Once we do all of the above we can replace salsa with mustard...err..never mind.

Seriously I think you are on to something. Lets run with it and see what happens.

[The_Veg]

I'm for it! :thumb

[userw5]

Here's a start...

http://www.bmwmoa.org/rally/rally03/maps/dayrides.pdf

Cool, Thanks!! :thumb

Those are in my neck of the woods.

[PAULBACH]

So I went to Adventure Cycling and did a search for

Adirondacks
Catskills

two of NY's premier riding sites.

Nothing turned up for either.

Then I tried Wisconsin and got two hits. The layout was great but their was nothing for riding within the state.

The great rides are out on the web someplace.

The main idea here was to increase MOA Forum participation AND to add another resource.

Visian indicates something like this was once part of the Forum and it was tied to MapQuest. A lot of the basic work may already be in place.

How do we make this happen? As a retiree I can donate time. I just need direction - I am reminded of this at home on a regular basis.

[userw5]

Here are couple of my favorites.

Skyline Drive (www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/upload/whole_park.pdf)

Starting and ending anywhere. There is a toll, but if you live in the area and know you will ride it a couple times, it is worthwhile getting an annual pass.

Here is another:

VA Scenic Map (www.virginiadot.org/infoservice/prog-byways-map-printable.asp)

Beginning in Section 10 ending in Section 4 - Route 231 from Gordonsville to Sperryville.

These are not round trips, but nice roads none the less.

[Visian]

Cool, Thanks!! :thumb

Those are in my neck of the woods.

most welcome... they are great rides... originally designed by weeble (who doesn't wobble) for the 2003 rally. there are many years worth of content like this on dark pages of the old site.

[tessler]

Brilliant Idea, Paul. I'm sure that Snoone can deliver some great content for the Catskills portion of this endeavor.

Though I'm still cranking away out here in Cali, I'd like to throw my hat into the ring as well and drum up a few formats that might be found useful... Will keep you posted.

JT

[Burnszilla]

It would be neat to also have the .gps route file with the map too, if possible.

[BradfordBenn]

Kind of like username discussed before, if people create tankbag maps and share them, either as a thread or as a addition, we should be able to find them on the Search function. I think it was can agree with putting a phrase, such as "Tankbag Map: " in the title it will be easy to find.

Then once there are enough together it becomes a great tool and cane be moved to its own forum if needed. :clap

[Mika]

Check out this site. http://www.bestbikingroads.com/