Rocky Mountain Tracking

By Greg Bartlett

GPS tracking has certainly spread into all areas of life in the past decade. What was originally used primarily for the military has now become a normal part of everyday life. GPS tracking devices have saved businesses thousands of dollars and kept hundreds of people safe. And now GPS technology has even started being used in a variety of leisure activities.

GPS & Dog Sled Racing

Mountain climbers, swimmers, and vacationers have all used GPS tracking to record their progress. Many people are even building websites around the information from their GPS tracking devices so that others can share in their accomplishments.

The idea of using GPS technology to allow others around the globe to track your movements has become very popular for races as well. Sailboat races and channel swims have been logged with GPS technology. But the latest addition is the dog sled race.

This February in Anchorage, Alaska, the 64th World Championship Dog Sled Race will now incorporate GPS tracking. Following the example of the most famous dog sled race, the Iditarod Trail Race, the 25-mile race will be tracked and displayed on the internet so people all around the world can follow the progress.

Each dog sled musher will receive a GPS tracking device that is very similar to a real time vehicle tracking device. The participants in the race will all be tracked on an animated map, allowing fans to watch as the mushers pass each other as they strive for the win. Internet fans will receive an accurate view of the race, because the GPS trackers will record the speed and position of each dog sled.

Long-distance races like these can be very difficult for fans to follow, especially in the extremely cold temperatures. Now, fans from all around Alaska can follow the race on their computers. The addition of GPS tracking devices to the race will give this yearly dog sled race more attention than they have ever received. Usually the most publicity the race gets is a short TV news clip.

GPS technology is still mostly used by businesses in fleet tracking and to track shipments of goods and by law enforcement officers to monitor suspects and criminals on parole. However, as time progresses and GPS systems develop, more personal uses for GPS technology will be discovered. These discoveries will lead to the creation of GPS devices designed for that particular activity, making the personal use of GPS tracking systems more and more popular.

By Harriette Halepis

The Tour of Britain is England’s biggest professional bike race. Every year race fans gear up for a day filled with adventure and excitement. While each year is more exciting than the next, 2009 is bound to go down in history as being one of the most memorable Tour of Britain years yet.

What makes this year so different? Race promoters, in conjunction with Cambridge Design Partnership, have decided to make the event entirely traceable with the help of GPS tracking systems. Fans will be able to watch every twist and turn for free thanks to this modern technology.

Cambridge’s GPS platform called Gmax Go is designed to follow participants throughout the eight stages of the race. Gmax project leader, Will Bradley, believes that “…modern GPS tracking technology is revolutionizing the appeal of long distance sports such as The Tour of Britain to many spectators.  It allows enthusiasts, teams and organizers to stay engaged with the live progress of the race from anywhere with an internet connection.”

While Britain certainly has its share of Tour of Britain fans, there are also fans in other parts of the world that usually miss out on the event’s happenings. This year proves to be different as fans from every corner of the earth will sit watching their computer screens tracking each moment of this time-honored journey.

The Tour of Britain begins on September 12, 2009. The starting point of the tour is York, and the tour is set to end in Somerset.

By Greg Bartlett

As GPS technology becomes more and more advanced, people are finding new ways to incorporate these tracking devices into their everyday lives. Using GPS tracking devices in a variety of personal ways has never been easier because there are so many different kinds of tracking devices available.

One relatively new use for GPS tracking devices is the monitoring of a race or journey. Recently, a Californian traveled to Europe to swim across the English Channel, tracking the entire 13 hour swim with his GPS. Fifty-two year old Mark Stone had been training for this swim for two years. When he finally began the 21 mile course from England to France through those choppy waters, he wanted more support than that of his coach and his wife who were beside him in a boat throughout the race. Using a GPS tracking device on the boat, his coach and wife were able to post reports to Twitter and Facebook, giving their exact location as well as the current swimming conditions and Stone’s mood and energy level.

Thanks to GPS tracking devices, one man’s marathon swim across the English Channel can be supported by all of his friends and family around the globe as they receive consistent updates about the swim and what Mark Stone was experiencing. The tracking device also gives Stone an electronic record of his swim, which can be very helpful if he ever decides to swim the English Channel again and also for future swimmers.

by James Neely, freelance writer: click | HERE | to inquire about writing services

In the world of sports, there are pursuits known as “extreme sports.”  This means that the risks are higher, and therefore the safety measures must be higher as well.  These sports include motocross racing, off-road cycling or truck and car racing, etc.  Even high-speed boat racing is considered extreme.

There is a entry level of amateurs who are involved in these sports and who are prime candidates for GPS tracking to help in keeping tabs on where participants and their gear is located.

GPS Tracking for location

When going off-road, those who participate in this type of sports need to be tracked for location.  Being able to watch in real-time when you cannot be visually located is mandatory.  Should you crash or become stuck in mud, it will help you to know that you are being monitored and that assistance is on the way.

GPS Tracking for direction of Travel

Moving through a course requires you to know the boundaries and where to go next.  Being able to track your progress and make sure you are on the right path is essential to staying out of trouble and keeping from being disqualified.  Real time tracking will take care of this for you.

GPS Tracking for duration

In extreme sports the goal is to finish in the best time possible.  The changing weather conditions might make it difficult to get a grasp on time management for a given race.  GPS tracking helps you monitor for duration and get an idea of where you will finish compared to what you need to do in order to win the race.

GPS Tracking for security

Racing components and vehicles are expensive.  And, unfortunately, there are opportunists (otherwise known as thieves) who would take your gear in a heart-beat and sell it to make money.  Being out of doors and having your operations open to the public puts you at risk.  That is why GPS tracking devices need to be attached to everything can be stolen.  Consider this for anything that is of a high cost or value to your extreme sports operations.

This can be vehicles, but also can include trailers, 4×4 wheelers, computers, campers, expensive tools, etc.  Being able to locate your things should they be taken helps you recover quicker and keeps you in the race (so to speak).

Extreme sports can get extreme help from GPS tracking devices.  You can benefit by making a small investment in these units and placing them onto your most expensive pieces of equipment today.  Here’s to your success.