SportTracks software - way cool fun

[SadieKate]

Just thought I'd share since I've only seen posts from OakLeaf about it.

http://www.zonefivesoftware.com/SportTracks/

Use data from your Garmin, Ciclo, some Polars, etc. Lots of Plugins. Way mo' bettah maps. Can't do everything that GTC can but it can also do far more, especially with the plugins. Very easy to upload your GTC history files.

Little tip, if you use a Garmin and want the climb (ascend/descend) data to be comparable to GTC, there are two parameters you should set.

* Settings -> Display -> Analysis -> Elevation Smoothing
Probably 10 seconds or less for an Edge. 10 gives me the closest to my GTC number

* Categories view -> Climb Zones
Barometric Edge owners use +/- 0.1%. The default is +/- 2%, better for the non-barometric devices.

I think I'll make a donation.

[SouthernBelle]

I've got this on my home computer, but haven't had much time to play with it. I have loaded some rides and noticed the numbers are lower.

Well, that's discouraging!

[Tuckervill]

Can you use it if you don't have a GPS, or would that be beside the point?

Karen

[SadieKate]

Without GPS, I think you'd just see all the other numbers. Give it a try! It's much more sophisticated that Garmin's software is why I'm enjoying it.

I think you can also manually use it as a log, no need to set up your own spreadsheet.

SouthernBelle. don't you have an Edge 305? Try setting the elevation data smoothing and climb zone numbers as I suggested. They're now darn close to GTC. Close enough that you could just choose which software you're going to use for consistency. No real way to say which one is actually the more accurate.

[SouthernBelle]

I'll tinker with it this evening!

[SadieKate]

Can you use it if you don't have a GPS, or would that be beside the point?

Karen

Ooh, ooh, ooh!

1) Install Apply Routes Plug-in and create several blank routes
2) Create your route/track on something like www.gpsies.com
3) Download as a GPX Track (do not choose the Garmin track and be sure that it saves as a .gpx file (my PC likes to save it as a .XML doc unless I change the "save as" type to "all files")
4) Import the file as a fake activity in ST and make sure there is a name in the name field
5) From the activity > Edit Activity > Create Route from Activities
6) Delete the fake activity

Now, when you ride that route, upload your data and create a new activity --
--From the activity > Edit Activity > Apply Route

See? Trick way to add a map to your cycling log.

Using the little blue arrow at the top right of the summary box you can see elevation, grade, all kinds of stuff.