Monthly Archives: October 2010

Geocaching – adding interest to your ride

There are 1,211,988 active caches and an estimated 4-5 million geocachers worldwide.

What is it?

Wikipedia describes “Geocaching” as a “game of high-tech hide and seek”.  www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geocaching

According to the Geocaching.com website – “Geocaching” is a high-tech treasure hunting game played throughout the world by adventure seekers equipped with GPS devices.

It is an outdoor activity in which the participants GPS to hide and seek containers, called “geocaches” or “caches”, anywhere in the world.

A typical cache is a small waterproof container containing a logbook. Larger containers such as plastic storage containers or ammo boxes can also contain items for trading, usually toys or trinkets of little value.

With many of the cache owners the aim is to impart some local knowledge, share a special memory or join together to save a precious vista with an eco-message.

How do you get started?

The Website:

Log on to www.geocaching.com

  1. Register for a free Basic Membership.
  2. Click “Hide & Seek a Cache.”
  3. Enter your postal code and click “search.”
  4. Choose any geocache from the list and click on its name.
  5. Enter the coordinates of the geocache into your GPS Device.
  6. Use your GPS device to assist you in finding the hidden geocache.
  7. Sign the logbook and return the geocache to its original location.
  8. Share your geocaching stories and photos online.

Start with ‘easy’ finds like “The Ghost of Tokai Manor” or “Mosterts mill” to get the feel of things, it can even be a family affair with kids loving the outdoor treasure hunt.

The Equipment

Start out using what you already have that has gps e.g: your phone or existing cycle computer etc.

As you get more involved there is an array of devices to choose from such as the Garmin cycling specific range:

From the basic:

The Garmin Edge 205.

Rugged, lightweight Edge 205 attaches easily to the stem or handlebars of your bike with the included bike mount. Just turn it on, acquire GPS satellites and go. Edge automatically measures your speed, distance, time, calories burned and altitude, and records this data for your review. For even more detailed data, get the Edge 305, which can track your heart rate, cadence, climb and descent.

To the Full House:

The Garmin Edge 705 with HRM.

Trainer. Navigator. Edge 705 pushes you to do your best, then shows you the way back. This GPS-enabled cycle computer knows no limits. Get heart rate, turn-by-turn directions, cadence (from optional sensor), power data (from optional ANT+Sport-enabled third-party power meters), the works. Even share your data with other Edge 705 buddies after your ride. All wireless with a color display, this is no ordinary cycle computer.

Take on more challenging finds as you advance and eventually create your own.

Whatever you are after .. history, puzzles, adventure or saving the world … you are sure to find like minded people here.

Happy cycling

Microshift Flatbar Shimano Compatible Shifting

The Microshift’s TS83-10 Flatbar Shimano Compatible Shifters

If you’re running a Shimano compatible 10-speed drivetrain on your bike and want to convert to a commuting, flat bar, road bike these new Microshift shifters gives you an affordable (aprox R550.00) alternative to the Shimano Ultegra R770s (R1021.31 at CRC)

The system has two levers and is thumb operated (think Shimano Rapid Fire circa 1990).

Availability seems to be the main issue though.  Microshift is not available on CRC.  The new shifters are not the Microshift website and the local Microshift retail outlet did not have any new info.

I have sent off an email requesting more local info directly to Microshift and await their response.

Watch this space.