GPS Hire

[Rochester TVR]

As of next week I am going to start riding into work everyday (Rochester to Southwark) and would like to hire a GPS unit for the first week to help me remember the route.

Does anyone know where I can hire one from?

A quick google search doesn't bring up anything obvious.

Thanks in advance.

[_rubinho_]

Cheapest new purchase of a mapping GPS is £49.99 in Halfrauds. Add a tenner for a handlebar mount. I doubt you'd find somebody willing to rent one for a week for less than that and it'd be less hassle. You could even return it in the box after a week if you left the screen protector on and didn't damage it.

How about an app for your phone (if it's "smart") enough?

[Rochester TVR]

Hadn't thought of an App... I have a Blackberry so will have to find out whats available.

Cheers

[hugh_]

That's quite a long commute, good luck!

[Burrow01]

Rochester TVR said:

Hadn't thought of an App... I have a Blackberry so will have to find out whats available.

Cheers

Installed Endomondo on my Blackberry yesterday, and went out for a ride - very impressive considering it's free and uses the phone GPS

[Burrow01]

Rochester TVR said:

As of next week I am going to start riding into work everyday (Rochester to Southwark) and would like to hire a GPS unit for the first week to help me remember the route.

Sorry just realised you are not looking to track your ride, but to use the GPS to plan and route find

Same advice though - use the GPS on the Blackberry (assuming its a model with one) and any of the free apps

[itsnotarace]

Rochester TVR said:

As of next week I am going to start riding into work everyday (Rochester to Southwark)

You're looking at at least 2 hrs each way, are you sure?

[TonyHetherington]

Christ, that's one hell of a commute!

Indeed, your blackberry will have some sort of app that you can download to help you out

[Rochester TVR]

Its 31.5 miles according to Google maps, so yeah it will take about 2 hours or just under each way.

No major hills (other than shooters hill on the return) so Im hoping to achieve a 15-17mph average speed.

Considering door to door by car / train is 1hr 40mins its not too bad, plus its free!

(Im cycling to Amsterdam end of August so I need to get used to being in the saddle day after day)

Thanks for the app names, ill look them up.

[Tea Pot One]

Rochester TVR said:

Its 31.5 miles according to Google maps, so yeah it will take about 2 hours or just under each way.

No major hills (other than shooters hill on the return) so Im hoping to achieve a 15-17mph average speed.

Considering door to door by car / train is 1hr 40mins its not too bad, plus its free!

(Im cycling to Amsterdam end of August so I need to get used to being in the saddle day after day)

Thanks for the app names, ill look them up.

That's a high average apeed ! I take it you are using a good road bike

[itsnotarace]

I think it's a bit optimistic in rush hour, maybe on a traffic free route with no traffic lights to contend with. OP have you considered driving a bit closer and then biking from there.

[Rochester TVR]

Even though this isn't the thread subject anymore, I did the first leg of my 32 mile commute this morning.

It took me 2hrs 15mins, averaging just over 14mph. Im hoping once I get to know the route a bit better I can get this up to 15-16mph.

The ride home tonight will be insteresting as I have to ride up Blackheath Hill, not looking forward to that one!

(Oh and Im on a 2011 Wilier Izoard Veloce)

[TonyHetherington]

Nice work!

I found that over the course of a couple of weeks I shaved quite a lot of time off my commute, not just through getting quicker, but also through working out which routes are best for bikes. The fastest bike route is certainly not the fastest drive route.