Plus 3 Network raises funds when you ride and log

[SadieKate]

From the latest issue of RoadBikeRider:

Here's a way to make your miles worth money: The new Plus 3 Network lets you turn every ride into a fundraiser for the cause of your choice. After signing up, you log rides on the website or do it automatically via a GPS device. The Network credits your account as much as $0.02 per mile for road rides ($0.025 for mountain biking). Then every so often, the Network tells corporate sponsors how many Plus 3 members covered how many miles, and the sponsors write a check to your cause. Membership is free and allows you to count running, walking and swimming miles too. For details on this worthy new program, which was launched at Interbike in late September, click www.plus3network.com

I just clicked on the link and the front page has a lot of credible sponsors and causes. Each sponsor is linked to a specific cause such as Trek sponsoring The Brest Cancer Research Foundation and RockShox sponsoring IMBA.

The payout per mile is listed below with the first number representing a GPS logged activity and the 2nd for a hand entry of the activity. So GPS miles earn 10 times a hand entry.

Activity / GPS Upload / Hand Entry
Road Biking $0.02 $0.002
Mtn Biking $0.025 $0.0025
Running $0.035 $0.0035
Walking $0.05 $0.005
Swimming $0.2 $0.02
Other $0.01 $0.001

[Kalidurga]

Ya beat me to it, I just read about that in the latest RoadBikeRider e-letter ;)

I love this idea. It almost makes me want to go out and buy a GPS so I can increase my charitable contributions. I would definitely suggest that anyone who's interested read the FAQ (http://www.plus3network.com/home/faq) at the site, as the main screens don't fully explain the concept.

[SadieKate]

I'm loading activities now as the guinea pig. Wanna be my friend? ;)

[Kalidurga]

Sure, we can be friends. I'm listed as T L Davis. Have you by any chance figured out how to change your cause/sponsor?

[SadieKate]

Hmm, I just briefly looked and couldn't figure it out.

However, unlike Pearl Izumi, Plus 3 Network has an excellent response time to customer questions. In the "make it better" section I found the email for this stuff and have already heard back.

Email: letitiadavis at plus3network.com

PS -- Just a note that Pedro's marketing manager also emailed me back within the hour when I sent a "bravo" note.

[maillotpois]

I'm signed up.

I guess I have to ride to get any credit... :rolleyes:

[jobob]

Oooh, a good excuse to start using my Edge 305. :)

[Kalidurga]

I'm signed up.

I guess I have to ride to get any credit... :rolleyes:

You could always go back and enter past rides to get a head start ;)

[SadieKate]

But you have to do those manually. :( MP, you can upload any history files that are still in your Garmin but you may need to download the Garmin Connector plug-in first.

I can't figure out how to upload history from GTC back to my Garmin, and I always wipe the history immediately cause I don't like to deal with it trying to download everything each time I connect.

I now have 2 friends on +3N. Kewl.

Edit: make that 3 friends. Wicked Kewl. :D

Editing again: Jobob made it 4. Double Wicked Kewl. :p

[jobob]

could?

[SadieKate]

Happy, soon to also be an OF?

[jobob]

Way soon.

[Kalidurga]

I now have 2 friends on +3N. Kewl.

Edit: make that 3 friends. Wicked Kewl. :D

Editing again: Jobob made it 4. Double Wicked Kewl. :p

Just hope they don't essplode ;)




Sorry, I'm bored and borderline giddy this evening. But I e-mailed Plus3 about changing sponsor & cause. I'll let y'all know if I get a reply.

[SadieKate]

Frends know gud humors when dey is hear it. :D

[jobob]

I noticed that the sponsors have upper limits on the amount the donate - either a per person amount ($20 or $25) or a total amount ($10,000).

I wonder, if you reach the maximum amount, if you'll be able to sign on with a new sponsor/charity.

[Kalidurga]

I tried to bookmark Plus3 this morning and got an 'unspecified error'. Did anyone else have this problem?

[SadieKate]

No, but the coding is, I believe, done on the west coast which means at 3:47 am they could have been running updates.

[Pedal Wench]

I'm in. Don't know anyone's real names, so I can't be friends... :(

But, I'm training for a long-distance race in February, so I'll be logging tons of miles, with my Garmin, so if someone finds out how to switch sponsors once we max out, let me know!

[SadieKate]

I think there are only 3 Sarah's on there so at least two of us can't be that hard to find! :p

I'll be your friend. Don't know 'bout "That one."

[jobob]

I'm Joanne & I'm using the same avatar as I use here. :cool:

[jobob]

Mel's been uploading rides and raking in the bucks - she had her Garmin on our 200K last weekend so she raised about $2.50 on that ride, vs my 25 cents. :p

[Pedal Wench]

Should get at least 100 miles this weekend, and I'll start using my Garmin on my whopping 1.5 mile commute - I use my mtb, so hopefully, that will get a half-cent more per mile. This is great -- I think it will really motivate me heading into winter.

I use my mtb on the Breast Cancer walks, so I've also signed up for the Reward Challenge -- I should get 100 miles that weekend, so I get some Pedros Lube.

[dachshund]

Hmm... I guess you have to use your real name with this site. Darn.

[jobob]

But isn't your real name dachshund? :cool:

[jesvetmed]

Well isn't this a good reason to get that Garmin for my Birthday!?

Thanks for posting this. I'm going to go sign up -- but for a bit will have to be doing it by hand, so I guess I'll have to work out 10x as much?! Whoa... I better get busy!:eek:

I'll sign up as Jessica and use same avitar.

[Kalidurga]

Hmm... I guess you have to use your real name with this site. Darn.

You could enter first name = Dachs, last name = Hund. I'm T L Davis at Plus3, but I've used Kali Durga as my name on other sites.

[SadieKate]

Ah, but if I hadn't used my real name I wouldn't be "Friends" with the marketing and communications manager at Pedros.:p

[jesvetmed]

OK.. I'm in and sent friend requests to everyone who I recognized.
I also sent emails to everyone on my email list who may even log a mile a day! Hopefully this will raise some money for these great causes.

Now... to work on that Garmin.
Quick email to hubby!
Jes

[melissam]

Well isn't this a good reason to get that Garmin for my Birthday!?


This is as good a reason as any to get the Garmin! :)


Hmm... I guess you have to use your real name with this site. Darn.

Well, as others have suggested, I'm sure you can come up with an intriguing and witty alias!


Mel's been uploading rides and raking in the bucks - she had her Garmin on our 200K last weekend so she raised about $2.50 on that ride, vs my 25 cents. :p
Yeah, well there appears to be a bug in the upload software. I have only been able to upload the 3 most recent activities on my Garmin. I really, really want to get the others uploaded; let's see, there's the AIDS/Lifecycle ride, Waves to Wine, Jo's 200k Permanent from H@ll (um, that's because of the weather, not the route or the company), and a bunch of training rides.

I've contacted Plus 3 Network's support, so we'll see if we can reach a solution.

On Plus 3, I'm Melissa (no intriguing alias for me), and my avatar looks like this:
http://www.plus3network.com/photos/0000/0539/bicycle-hazard-sign-image.jpg?1223615471

[Kalidurga]

I noticed that avatar, it's great.

I have a feeling Plus3's gonna be getting a lot of e-mails about site issues. At this point, I've gotten no response to last night's e-mail, and I still need to contact them about the bookmark issue. Great cause/idea getting off the ground a little too quickly, perhaps?

[dachshund]

But isn't your real name dachshund? :cool:

Snort! Very funny.

Thanks for the suggestions, now that it's passed the Committee I feel confident I can think of something.

[HillSlugger]

I was able to upload about a month's worth of runs and rides from my Garmin 305. It recognized events all the way back to the first on January 1 but it said there were no GPS tracks. I'm guessing the Garmin had to delete the older info.

[jobob]

I wrote to Plus 3 yesterday asking if there was a way to use nicknames instead of one's real name, and here's the response I received this morning:


Hi Joanne,

Welcome to Plus 3 Network!

Yes, you can use a nickname if you prefer to not have your full name on the site. When filling out the profile information page, just put something else in for First Name and Last Name. It might not be the most elegant solution right now, but that is the only way around the issue.

See you around the network!

I'm still OK with using my real name but for those of you who are hesitant, there you have it. :cool:

[Pedal Wench]

I was able to change my name! I'm officially Pedal Wench. Ms. Wench if you're nasty.

[jobob]

Yep, it shows up that way on my friends list!

[melissam]

Ms. Wench, now you need a (suitably nasty) pic for your Plus 3 profile!

OK, the Plus 3 site is starting to remind me a lot of my day job. I have tried every trick up my sleeve, but now I cannot get the stupid plugin to unlock. I cannot upload my epic ride from yesterday. But there it is on Jobob's page -- mocking me. :(

I'm gonna download the Garmin API and write my own site, dammit. Oh wait, I don't have the "ins" with all the charitably contributing folks...

[SadieKate]

I wondered what that giggling was.:D

[jobob]

Just received this email from Plus 3 HQ, which might be of interest to those thinking of signing up:



Hey There -

This is Rick and Joe, co-founders of Plus 3 Network, and we just want to welcome you as one of the very first people to join us as we make every workout count for a cause that matters to you. We would also like to thank Plus 3 Network corporate sponsors who join you in making the world a healthier and better place.

As with most new business ideas, we will be tweaking the network; 'dialing it in' with new features and better functionality. And we'll rely on you, our members, to help. Let us know what's working and what we need to improve.

A Tweak:
One thing we just tweaked yesterday is the mileage payouts. The GPS entered rates remain the same but the value of the Hand Entered Activities increased 3-fold. There is something about the number 3 we find alluring.


Webinar
Want to learn more about how to get the most from Plus 3 Network or ask a question? We will have two free 20 minute webinars next week where Joe will demo the product and be online for chat-style question and answers.

October 22
Noon PST – Register here https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/672576378
5:30 PM PST – Register here https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/404448222


Three things we want to emphasize to help you get more from Plus 3 Network:

* Tag activities with the actual sport – It’s important for max value that you tag your activities by Biking / Running / Walking / Swimming, as the payouts for each are different and all reward more than “Other”. If the workout is truly “Other”, you must enter a distance to create a charitable donation.

* Plus 3 will be expanding the list of sporting activities rewarded in the coming months. Winter sports, indoor sports and exercise activities will be added; allowing you to keep an accurate and complete fitness and fundraising journal.

* We have been getting requests for Profiles be set to Public by default to make it easier to find friends. In October we'll make that switch for new members signing up. You can change your profile to Public in the 'update my profile' link that sits next to your photo in the My Account zone.

As a sign off, people are starting to hit their Challenges – time to start sending people rewards – hope you will be one of the first there too!

Making It Count,

Joe Fabris & Rick Sutton
The “Ben & Jerry” of Plus 3 Network


Joe: www.plus3network.com/people/profile/1
Rick: www.plus3network.com/people/profile/10

[NomadGal]

Happy, soon to also be an OF?

Hi Everyone!

I'm so excited to see all this great discussion about Plus 3 Network! I'm Letitia, the Member Care Manager at Plus 3 Network. Oh, I'm also another bike rider who wants to make all my miles count toward the good of this planet and others :D

Working with Rick and Joe (our CEO and CPO) is awesome because both guys are genuinely interested in making a difference in this world through the Fitness + Community + Advocacy idea of Plus 3. Rick is the guy who started the Sea Otter Classic and Joe has an amazing technical background, along with a love for fitness and a great sense of humor! Do I dare mention that we've been known to have business meetings while riding our bikes?

There have been some questions posted on this discussion forum about Plus 3 Network. I will be more than happy to answer all questions and want to hear about any technical difficulty that you might be having. The best way for me to do this is for you to email me at letitiadavis@plus3network.com or support@plus3network.com I always respond to each email personally within 24 hours.

Also, I would be thrilled if everyone who gets onto Plus 3 Network as a result of this discussion thread finds me (Letitia Davis) on the network and invites me to be their friend. Mention how you found me? Would love to get to know who is logging miles and where your favorite rides are!

A couple of hints:

1. Make sure you use the www.plus3network.com address. .org or .net will give you that "unlocked" error that someone mentioned.
2. Sign up for a challenge BEFORE you upload all of your activities. Only activities logged after you sign up for a challenge are counted towards the challenge.
3.Garmin data counts more towards your Cause than hand entered miles, so use your Garmin if you've got one. But a Garmin is not a necessity to use the site--hand entered routes are fine!
3. Have fun with it and make all your miles count!

[MeAndMyBike]

Cool Site! I'm signed up!

[NomadGal]

Ms. Wench, now you need a (suitably nasty) pic for your Plus 3 profile!

OK, the Plus 3 site is starting to remind me a lot of my day job. I have tried every trick up my sleeve, but now I cannot get the stupid plugin to unlock. I cannot upload my epic ride from yesterday. But there it is on Jobob's page -- mocking me. :(

I'm gonna download the Garmin API and write my own site, dammit. Oh wait, I don't have the "ins" with all the charitably contributing folks...


Hi There, I'm the Member Support Manager at Plus 3 Network. Make sure that you use www.plus3network.com, not .net, .org, or http://plus3network.com This should solve the problem that you describe. Feel free to email me at letitiadavis@plus3network.com with any questions or problems!

[NomadGal]

I was able to upload about a month's worth of runs and rides from my Garmin 305. It recognized events all the way back to the first on January 1 but it said there were no GPS tracks. I'm guessing the Garmin had to delete the older info.

Hi! This is the Member Support Manager at Plus 3 Network. You are correct! When the Garmin 305 runs out of memory, it will delete old GPS track data. Your summary information (distance, time, calories, etc.) will be saved, but the detailed track data is deleted. Plus 3 Network can't upload any routes when the track data is gone. I'm glad that you were able to upload so many routes--back to Jan 1 is pretty good :rolleyes:

[Pedal Wench]

Hi! This is the Member Support Manager at Plus 3 Network. You are correct! When the Garmin 305 runs out of memory, it will delete old GPS track data. Your summary information (distance, time, calories, etc.) will be saved, but the detailed track data is deleted. Plus 3 Network can't upload any routes when the track data is gone. I'm glad that you were able to upload so many routes--back to Jan 1 is pretty good :rolleyes:

Hi! Thanks for the nudge-- I haven't uploaded anything in a while. Oh-- while I have you - -quick question. I did bicycle route safety for the Breast Cancer Walks. I did two of them, 60-miles each, on my mountain bike, since it's easier for hopping curbs and going on paths when necessary. So, do I log those as mtb miles, or road miles? It was on dirt, path, sidewalk, and road. Whaddya think?

[NomadGal]

Hi! Thanks for the nudge-- I haven't uploaded anything in a while. Oh-- while I have you - -quick question. I did bicycle route safety for the Breast Cancer Walks. I did two of them, 60-miles each, on my mountain bike, since it's easier for hopping curbs and going on paths when necessary. So, do I log those as mtb miles, or road miles? It was on dirt, path, sidewalk, and road. Whaddya think?


You have to use your best judgement, but I would probably consider it Road Miles. I think it's more about the surface that you're riding than which bike you're on. So, if you ever take your road bike on the trails, call it Mountain Biking :) The payout amounts are higher for Mountain Biking because you don't typically put in as many miles as road biking--a 60 mile mountain bike ride would certainly be epic!

[jobob]

Hey Letitia - welcome to fray.

Hope you join in on our other discussions here, there are some pretty active mountain bikers (I, alas, prefer pavement to dirt)

You might also want to take a look at the forums on bikejournal.com once they're back up*, we had a pretty lively discussion about the plus 3 network there a couple of months ago.

(*At the moment the bikejournal.com site is down, it was apparently hacked a few days ago, but it should be back up soon)

[NomadGal]

Hey Letitia - welcome to fray.

Hope you join in on our other discussions here, there are some pretty active mountain bikers (I, alas, prefer pavement to dirt)

You might also want to take a look at the forums on bikejournal.com once they're back up*, we had a pretty lively discussion about the plus 3 network there a couple of months ago.

(*At the moment the bikejournal.com site is down, it was apparently hacked a few days ago, but it should be back up soon)

Thanks! I've spent way too much time reading various threads on TE today! I even bought a pair of recommended shorts.

I'll look forward to seeing the discussion on Bikejournal.com. If the discussion was a few months ago, Plus 3 was quite new or not turned on at all (except for our beta testers). We announced the site at Interbike in Vegas in Sept.

[SadieKate]

Hi, Letitia. I emailed you when I first joined with some suggestion though I forget what now as OF-dom has struck.

It would be cool to see everyone's miles logged per type. Guess I should email that to you directly one 'o these days.

Melissam, my Garmin has loaded flawlessly every time. Whassa mattah with yours? I must be a better geekette. :p

[Momonbikemob]

Wow! That is so neat...:D They actually have a site like that!
Do you have to have Garmin or can you log info in the old fashioned way, one at a time... blah blah blah...?:confused:

[jobob]

I'll look forward to seeing the discussion on Bikejournal.com. If the discussion was a few months ago, Plus 3 was quite new or not turned on at all (except for our beta testers). We announced the site at Interbike in Vegas in Sept. It was around the same time as this thread started up - right after the story came out in the RBR e-newsletter in early October.

[SadieKate]

Do you have to have Garmin or can you log info in the old fashioned way, one at a time... blah blah blah...?:confused:Go back and read the first post of this thread for the hand entry info.

[NomadGal]

Wow! That is so neat...:D They actually have a site like that!
Do you have to have Garmin or can you log info in the old fashioned way, one at a time... blah blah blah...?:confused:

Yes, you can hand enter activities! Just go to Activities-->Enter Past Activity By Hand. You can simply put a sport and mileage, or you can add a map and plot out your course. Please let me know if you have any difficulties. support@plus3network.com

[NomadGal]

Hi, Letitia. I emailed you when I first joined with some suggestion though I forget what now as OF-dom has struck.

It would be cool to see everyone's miles logged per type. Guess I should email that to you directly one 'o these days.

Melissam, my Garmin has loaded flawlessly every time. Whassa mattah with yours? I must be a better geekette. :p

I'm not sure I understand exactly what you're saying. Are you asking to go to someone's profile and see not only their total miles/dollars for their Cause, but a breakdown of mileage per sport?

Let me know? I keep a serious list of all feature requests that our members come up with. We can't do everything at once, as we're a pretty small start-up, but we like to have an organized wish-list!

[melissam]

Melissam, my Garmin has loaded flawlessly every time. Whassa mattah with yours? I must be a better geekette. :p

I'm just not very technical. ;)

[SadieKate]

I'm not sure I understand exactly what you're saying. Are you asking to go to someone's profile and see not only their total miles/dollars for their Cause, but a breakdown of mileage per sport? Exactly!

[Pedal Wench]

So, do I take 30 minutes to drive home before the Wednesday night ride to pick up my Garmin that I left plugged in so more of my miles count? Or, do I use those 30 minutes to bike more miles and enter them manually?

Unique Plus3 dilemma:cool:...

[Possegal]

I even bought a pair of recommended shorts.




Yeah, welcome to my world, this board has proven a bit expensive for me. :) At least I have yet, yet being the operative word, been compelled to buy a whole new bike.

[HillSlugger]

So, do I take 30 minutes to drive home before the Wednesday night ride to pick up my Garmin that I left plugged in so more of my miles count? Or, do I use those 30 minutes to bike more miles and enter them manually?

Unique Plus3 dilemma:cool:...

If you upload them from the Garmin your miles are worth way more. Wait.

[NomadGal]

So, do I take 30 minutes to drive home before the Wednesday night ride to pick up my Garmin that I left plugged in so more of my miles count? Or, do I use those 30 minutes to bike more miles and enter them manually?

Unique Plus3 dilemma:cool:...

Interesting dilemma :) I would probably just ride the bike and promise myself to not forget my Garmin again! If I went home to get it, I might not get on the bike...

[NomadGal]

Exactly!

I'll put this on our enhancement to-do list!

[Pedal Wench]

I rode without my Garmin. Only earned $0.17. :( But, that's $0.17 more than if I stayed home. It was kinda cold and very windy last night, so the odds of me heading back out if I did go home to get the Garmin were looking slim...

I wonder if we could figure out a way to verify speed/distance on a trainer. I'm starting a pretty intense training program in a few weeks, and a lot of my workouts during the week will be in the basement. If I hook up my Garmin's speed/cadence to my rear wheel, can that count? Pretty please????

[HillSlugger]

Nomad, is there any way to upload a gpx file instead of uploading directly from the Garmin? On Tuesday I did an mtb ride with friends. My Garmin only got the start and the end, missing the 9 miles in between. I got a gpx file of the ride from one of the other riders but don't see a way to upload it.

Thanks, Nicole

[jobob]

To expand a bit on on slug's question, would it be possible to upload tracks from gps devices other than the Garmin Edge?

(I have a Garmin ETrex Vista HCx, from which I can save tracks in .gpx format)

[SadieKate]

The standard Garmin Communicator plug-in doesn't work?

Psst, can you bring your new toy at the end of the month?

[jobob]

Nope, not the ETrex.

(Although admittedly my learning curve is still on the steep part of the slope so I could be missing something).

Of course I will

[SadieKate]

Nomad, is there any way to upload a gpx file instead of uploading directly from the Garmin? On Tuesday I did an mtb ride with friends. My Garmin only got the start and the end, missing the 9 miles in between. I got a gpx file of the ride from one of the other riders but don't see a way to upload it.

Thanks, Nicole
I asked the same question back in early October. This was NomadGirl's response way back then.


Hi Sarah,

There are some tricky issues with uploading Garmin history files. Because we’re donating money to charity based on validated GPS data, our sponsors are not wild about the idea of people being able to get a history file from anywhere and then uploading to Plus 3. The idea has been tossed around, but I’m not sure when we’ll see this, if ever.

[jobob]

That makes a lot of sense (unfortunately).

[NomadGal]

Nomad, is there any way to upload a gpx file instead of uploading directly from the Garmin? On Tuesday I did an mtb ride with friends. My Garmin only got the start and the end, missing the 9 miles in between. I got a gpx file of the ride from one of the other riders but don't see a way to upload it.

Thanks, Nicole

I'm sorry! I know how frustrating it is to return from a hard ride and find out your Garmin was off or in the wrong mode, or not recording, etc. But we can't upload gpx data to Plus 3 Network. Sorry, there is a post further down I wrote a while ago that explains why. Although we really trust everyone, we really really do, anyone could get gpx files from anywhere on the internet and upload to their account. Our sponsors are most comfortable with validated data, and unfortunately getting data from a friend doesn't really count.

[NomadGal]

To expand a bit on on slug's question, would it be possible to upload tracks from gps devices other than the Garmin Edge?

(I have a Garmin ETrex Vista HCx, from which I can save tracks in .gpx format)

Unfortunately, we don't support the eTrex Vista yet. We will support more devices as we move forward and the eTrex is the most commonly asked about device, so it might come next?

[kfergos]

Hi Ladies,

I had a couple frustrating issues with trying to upload from my Garmin to the +3 network site originally, and I wanted to share my solutions with you so anybody who has similar issues won't struggle as much as I did.

1. Plugin not working/device not found.
Solution: You have to go specifically to www.plus3network.com. If you just go to http://plus3network.com or something, it'll look the same, but the uploader doesn't work.

2. Device recognized and uploader says everything is copied...but then the site froze up after telling me the rides were successfully uploaded.
Solution: This was a trickier issue, but it turned out to be a two-fold problem:
(a) I had a corrupted file on my Garmin. I don't know how this happened or why, but once I removed it that helped.
(b) I had all my rides from late July onwards, including a century and several 60+ mile rides, on my Garmin. I was trying to upload this vast volume of data (about 60 megs, I believe it was; about 2,500 miles total) and the uploader simply could not handle it. By uploading in small, weekly or biweekly chunks, this problem has not cropped up again.

Another note: You can add data back onto your Garmin if you remove it. What I've done is I download all the rides and make a back-up file, so that they're not lost and gone forever. Then I clear out the memory of my Garmin. I believe you can use the Garmin Training Center to add data to your device. This is how I was able to upload all my miles to +3 network: I took it all off, then added it back bit by bit onto my device and uploaded it in smaller batches. If anybody wants more details on how to remove/add data to your Garmin, let me know and I can provide them.

- Katie F

PS - Find me on +3 network as Katie, with this avatar:
http://www.plus3network.com/photos/0000/1015/Real_Bicycling.jpg?1226607805

[jobob]

Good info, thanks kf! :cool:

[SadieKate]

Anyone noticed jobob's new challenge?

[HillSlugger]

Hi Ladies,

1. Plugin not working/device not found.
Solution: You have to go specifically to www.plus3network.com. If you just go to http://plus3network.com or something, it'll look the same, but the uploader doesn't work.

I bet that's my issue on my work computer! I can't wait to try it again next week!

[bikerz]

Hey - I joined Plus 3 also (using my real name, same avatar as here). It hasn't been a stellar cycling year for me, but this is a great (additional) incentive to get back on 2 wheels, and to continue with the hiking too.

The Garmin plug-in detected my Quest 2, and offered to upload activity (I know there's one track on there from my hike in the Sierras in September) but it just sat there for ages, and nothing happened.

Anyway, I just added everything manually - yielding a whopping $5 donation :rolleyes:. Oh well, it's a start.

I had to enter a bunch of activities twice - looked like they were added, but they didn't show up in the calendar (bad date entry, I guess, but no error message telling me so). Data entry is a pain, and worth less, so I'd really like to make it work with my Garmin.

I hope I can use (and remember to take) my Quest for bike rides and hikes in future. Or am I going to have to buy one of those cool little Forerunners? (SK - this is your chance for revenge for the digital music project!)

[SadieKate]

I see a Forerunner AND an Edge in your future!

And I will still have revenge points leftover.

[bikerz]

SK, 'splain yourself! (Please!)

I was just reading the gazillion Garmin threads here on TE, trying to figure out if I need to get the Edge and the Forerunner, and which one, etc. etc. and my brain was feeling well and truly boggled. Then I thought, maybe SK will just post a response and answer all my questions... or maybe I'll have to call her ...

[HillSlugger]

The Edge is basically just for riding. The Forerunner can be used for biking and for running, hiking, etc.

[bikerz]

Thanks - I was starting to get that impression, It seems weird to me that you can't just carry the Edge along with you on a hike.

I have carried my Quest 2 with me on hikes - I have a dorky way to strap it to the top of my daypack. But it just tracks the distance and time, no HRM stuff at all.

[SadieKate]

... or maybe I'll have to call her ...Nog and Gentleman Jack Monday eve? :p

I'm off on a hot date in just a minute. Popcorn and Tales of Narnia #2.

[bikerz]

I'll skip the nog, but GJ sounds great! Enjoy your date! What's Bubba up to while you're on your date? :p

I've been reading various reviews and it does look like people use the Edge 705 for hiking too, especially since you can load and use the Topo maps. Main issue seems to be how to actually carry it around when it's off the bike.

I can't remember when REI dividends come out, but with all I spent there this year on hiking and trekking supplies, I ought to have a pretty decent dividend coming my way ... if I can wait that long!

[HillSlugger]

Thanks - I was starting to get that impression, It seems weird to me that you can't just carry the Edge along with you on a hike.

I have carried my Quest 2 with me on hikes - I have a dorky way to strap it to the top of my daypack. But it just tracks the distance and time, no HRM stuff at all.

Yeah, you could strap it on somehow. The Forerunner is designed to be worn like a watch (a big honkin' watch) and also has a bike mount option. Both the Edge and Forerunner have HRM options. The Edge is much more accurate with altitude (one of my pet peeves with the FR is how poor it is with altitude).

[SadieKate]

I'm lusting after this which sounds like it works mo' bettah with Topo maps.

http://shop.delorme.com/OA_HTML/DELibeCCtdItemDetail.jsp?item=28648&section=10461&minisite=10020

I haven't seen one in person, but I'm not sure I'd want it on the bars of my bike.

Date is with Bubba. We've been planting bulbs and stringing Xmas lights as it got colder and grayer, so it's time for Narnia and popcorn. Just a good 'tis the season type day with my sweetie. Where's the snow? :(

[jobob]

I just stick my Edge 305 in my back pocket or in a (webbed) pocket on my Camelbak. Seems to work just fine. I just use it mainly to track my route so I can upload it to Plus 3. More money goes to my charity that way.

I don't really use the Edge as a cycling computer, I have my trusty Ciclosport for that on my road bikes.

And on my mountain bike (did she say mountain bike?! :eek: ) I don't even use a cycling computer 'cuz I don't give two hoots about how fast or how far I go. :D

You could probably pick up an Edge 205 or 305 for really cheap nowadays.

[jobob]

Congrats to kfergos, who is curently the leading fundraiser on the Plus 3 network!

melissam, pedal wench and gnat are also representing us on the leader board. (If I missed any other TE'ers, please pipe up. )

Also, Plus 3's sponsors have "agreed to lift any parameters on fundraising for the rest of the calendar year". I assume that means individuals can raise more than the $25 limit.

So as Joe Fabris said in his mailing, "knock yourselves out". :cool:

[Pedal Wench]

melissam, pedal wench and gnat are also representing us on the leader board.

And that's just with my 'public' rides -- I keep some on private! (Ones that start from my house, or are too pathetically slow to let people see!)

[SadieKate]

I think your miles are counted no matter whether you choose to keep the activity private or not. We just can't see the private activity itself, but we can see your cumulative miles.

[HillSlugger]

Congrats!

Most of my rides start from home so most of them are private.

[SadieKate]

The Edge is much more accurate with altitude (one of my pet peeves with the FR is how poor it is with altitude).You should try elevation correction in SportTracks. It will make the FR much more consistent with the Edge (right or wrong, but at least more consistent :p).

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=27852&highlight=sporttracks

[Trek420]

Bumpity bumpity bump for those who may need info to join this effort:

Right now on Plus 3, they are matching, at $10 to $1 any Activity you enter this week and tag with the word Japan. Those of us already on Plus3 it's time to log those miles. Not registered yet?

http://www.plus3network.com/

[Pedal Wench]

I'm on vacation this week, but luckily grabbed my Garmin just for fun. If I can find a data cable, I'll be logging all my walks on the beach! :)

Sadly, I don't have my 705 with me. I never logged my 242-mile ride from last month, and now would be the time.

[Trek420]

Hmmm, they now have groups. Could not find a TE one ;)

http://www.plus3network.com/groups

[Pedal Wench]

I'm still logging there, so we should form a group. I still keep all my rides private so I'm not on the leaderboards, but they've now added an option to share with friends.

[Trek420]

Me too, I keep my rides, walks and jogs with the doggie private. Recently I won an Icebreaker T-shirt from them which was sweet. I have lots of their socks over the years. :p

Yes, we should have a group.

[HillSlugger]

OK, just create Team Estrogen. Come on over and join!

[Trek420]

Thank you! Joined. :cool:

[marni]

long time plus3 person here although my computer recently bombed and wiped everything and I had to rejoin which was unfortunate. I have a full sock wardrobe and recently won a sweet pair of ahnu trail runners on one of the challenges. I know the donations don't seem terrific on an individual basis but over the long term and as the number of people who join increases it can be significant. I do a mixture of Garmin edge and hand entered entries. I will find the group and join since I am usually there just as an individual.

marni

[Pedal Wench]

Just joined the group too, just in time for a week of taper.

[marni]

couldn't find the group on plus 3, can someone please send me a link?

TIA

marni

[Trek420]

http://www.plus3network.com/group/Team-Estrogen

[Grits]

I just joined. I tend to be obsessive about this kind of thing, especially at first, so I'll probably start out with lots of activities to post and then calm down.:)

[Catrin]

This is a good thing, I am signing up. I will also post this on FB in case some of my cycling/fitness friends are interested in joining the Plus 3 Network.

[Pedal Wench]

Hmmm. I just logged a 302-mile ride, but it's showing 0 kudos for me in the group. What's up with that?

[marni]

still feeling like an idiot. I got the link to the team estrogen but see no way to join or to list activities. Help please?

marni

[Trek420]

Start here, how to sign up etc:

http://www.plus3network.com/howto

[Pedal Wench]

Ahh. Just figured it out. Your rides have to be "public". I wish they had an option to make it visible to just a group. There is an option for "friends" so we could all friend each other and then all our rides will be visible to us, but not the public. I don't like having rides from my home visible to the whole world.

[Trek420]

In item 4 explains the privacy option. My understanding is the default setting is public. You can set "friends only" or "private" and also for each individual activity.

For your kudos to show in the leader boards it has to be public so if you set it private you will not appear on the leaderboards. Since I'm never going to get to the leaderboard that does not bother me. If you set it as private your activities will show to you but not on the leaderboard. Also the leaderboard gets emailed to Plus3 members about monthly.

Just speaking personally I do not put my route either. Miles, time but not where. Since I hand enter it's not downloaded.

For example right now on this forum we have 3 members surfing and 300 "guests".

I'm just sayin' :rolleyes:

"So our general rule is that for leaderboards and challenges that are open to everyone, those Activities need to be set to PUBLIC.

Items set to Friends or Private or Co-Workers will not show up in your Kudos counters that are publicly viewed. They will show up in your personal dashboards that only you can see.

We have also changed the Kudos counter on the Dashboard to show which of your Kudos are Public of your total Kudos (Private, Friends Only, etc.) number."

[Pedal Wench]

Thanks, Trek. I'm gonna ask them to add a setting for "groups." I only use uploaded Garmin rides. Or, they should do what Strava does. You can set a 1-mile radius around your home, and rides will be blacked out in that area. So, you log your miles, but the map doesn't show exactly where you live. I like that feature a lot.

[marni]

thanks trek I am there and adding my stuff.

marni

[MT_Advocate]

That makes a lot of sense (unfortunately).

People can't upload .gpx to the network but we can just go in and create as many activities without any kind of validation at all. I find it hard to believe that it's a trust issue since there is no way to validate any of the self reported data. I'm going to keep referring to this as a "needless pain in the ***".

[Trek420]

Plus3 posted a special fund raiser for the One Fund, a charity for those impacted by the Boston bombing. Just tag/title your workouts "Boston" to make those miles count. More info here:

http://www.plus3network.com/home