Ohio Bikeways - Trail GMap Blog

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Gmap 'How-To' Video Demos - 8/27/10

Good news for those who may be bewildered or simply unfamiliar with how to use many of the features on the Gmap. 'How-To' video demos are here!

Upcoming demos will cover trail information gathering techniques, as well as some nifty trip planning features.

Let's begin with our first movie that covers finding trails and basic Gmap navigation.

To view the demo at its proper size and resolution, select 'play' then 'Full Screen in HD' by clicking the button in the bottom right-hand corner of the player.

Playing Catch Up - 7/21/10

As work began on revamping the web site last winter, all work on Gmap updates came to a halt. The cold weather months are our preferred mapping season, but since it was cut short last year, we'll get some map updates in this summer.

Google Bike Directions

Our November blog announced that Google had begun mapping Ohio trails. This past March they launched their 'Bike Directions' feature. This cool tool allows you to plan routes for a bike trip using available trails, bike lanes and road routes!

Obviously, this can only be accomplished by displaying all existing bike trails and bike lanes(!) These appear on Google Maps as follows (when in bicycling mode):

Dark green lines = bike trails
Light green lines = bike lanes
Dashed green lines = roads recommended for cyclists

The Google route planner attempts to help you avoid busier roads and steep hills. You can also drag and drop the suggested route to customize one of your own.

This ambitious interface is not perfect. It's based on user-submitted maps that may have an inaccuracy here or there. But we would guess that overall Ohio trails are depicted with accuracy somewhere between 90-95%, with many trails being right on the mark.

And Google provides a feedback link for reporting bugs and other routing problems. This should help shape the tool to be even better!

Integrating The Gmap - 12/28/09

The map marker overhaul is now complete. All Ohio trails listed on the Gmap are now integrated with other information sources. The idea is to make the map a front door for users who prefer to start their trip planning or trail research there.

How It Works

To learn more about a bikeway, start by clicking the radio button for one of the trails listed below the Gmap. Next open one of the POIs (Points Of Interest) by selecting it from the right-hand margin list, or clicking one of the corresponding markers on the map. Now click on any highlighted links inside the word bubbles for more info on the trail. The word bubbles serve as the connecting port to more maps, trail brochures and other resources.

Available resources will vary from trail to trail, but each will at least be plugged into the Ohio Regional Trail & Map List which serves as the primary gateway to more info for each bikeway. Simply click on the trail's highlighted name inside any word bubble to access the list. A new browser window will open showing additional trail info. Now you can learn more about the trail without losing your place on the map or navigating away to read reviews, news or view other maps.

Troublesome Links?

Keeping the map's embedded outside links (links outside the Ohio Bikeways web site) in good working order may prove to be problematic. However, most of those same links should also be available through the Regional List. So it will provide an alternate route to many of the same resources.

Video Tutorials

We hope to have some video tutorials posted in the near future to demo this new feature as well as some basic map navigation and trip planning uses.

Google Mapping Ohio Trails - 11/15/09

The growth and popularity of bike trails has been on the rise across the country as more communities are preserving greenways as they strive for more livable, walkable neighborhoods and city centers. As bikeways become more pervasive, it was only a matter of time until their popularity was reflected in business products. The most logical starting point being the mapping industry, since people want to explore new trails when they learn about them. And to do that, one needs to know where they go and how to find the trailheads.

A look back through our news archives reveals that Ohio trails were not being Google mapped until the summer of 2007. The first (to our knowledge) was the Ohio & Erie Canalway site's rendering of the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath. The Ohio-to-Erie Trail followed shortly thereafter at Ohiotoerietrail.org. We happily joined the band wagon later that same year.

In the meantime, 'create-a-map' web sites were becoming popular and allowed users to map their runs, rides or hikes. The popularity of trails, combined with the obvious advantages of these interactive mapping platforms, was a logical fit. It was only a matter of time until the big boys took notice.

And now they have. You may have noticed that Google and Bing Maps have begun plotting Ohio Bikeways on their maps. These efforts are in the early stages, so don't expect a comprehensive trail collection that's seamlessly integraged with their map tools.

We did a few tests on Google with their local search feature and were able to pull up about 6 or 7 ohio trails that were plotted. But if we didn't get the syntax perfectly matched with the name Google used, we'd often strike out. I.e. "Kokosing Trail" would miss, while "Kokosing Gap Trail" would find its target.

Along with Google, Bing and perhaps some other mapping platforms, GPS companies like Garmin will be following suit and integrating Ohio trails into their product lines. This is great news for Ohio trail users, who until a few short years ago, were relying on trail books and a handful of sometimes crude, homemade online maps as their primary trail map resources.

Google 'Street View' Trike Goes Trail Riding

Google recently asked for public recommendations for non-road landscapes to photograph with their street-view trike. 5 trails were nominated, along with other categories that included: University Campuses, Landmarks, Theme Parks & Zoos and Pedestrian Malls. Visit their web site to vote on the nominees and see a video of the Google Street View Trike.

Emerald Necklace Plotted - 9/28/09

Cooler weather signals the beginning of the mapping season here at Ohio Bikeways. To get things off to a flying start we've added the Emerald Necklace Trail to the Gmap. This was the missing piece of the major trail network puzzle. All the major Ohio bikeways (minus a few small bits) are now plotted and ready for virtual exploration.

This latest addition comes with improved integrated resources built into the map markers. Now when you click on a Emerald Necklace marker or its label in the 'Points of Interest' menu, you get related links inside every word bubble. Links to more trail info, including maps of all the reservations the bikeway passes through.

So you get maps within the map. Why? To provide even more information on the parks. The reservation maps show the locations of all available facilities, not just the few we've chosen to highlight for trail users. Of course all linked pages open in a separate window so you won't lose your place on the map.

'Out of Sync' Glitch Lives On

Armed with a trusty GPS recording device, we eagerly collected data to plot the Necklace. Much to our surprise, the resulting track points revealed something unexpected. Portions of the recorded route were out-of-sync with Google's satellite imagery, while others were spot on.

A few possible reasons for this come to mind: Weak GPS signal (under trees or in ravines), low recorder batteries, or some of the map images may simply be out-of-sync. No great disaster though. The tracks are close enough to easily pick out the trail in 'satellite' view, which has been updated along this bikeway.

Improved Satellite Views

That's right, Google has updated much of their aerial photography for Ohio. In the past, mainly large urban areas had good, close-up aerial views. Now you can view trailheads and other landmarks in many rural areas as well!

In fact, the satellite imagery had been pretty useless for many rural trails. So if you seldom used it, it's time to give it a second look.

Map Filling Out - 3/26/09

The Ohio Trails Gmap is filling out nicely as we continue to plot bikeways and regional trail networks. Though pieces are missing here and there, for the most part all the major trails and connections are plotted with the exception of the Emerald Necklace Trail, which we hope to start adding sometime later this year. The Cleveland Lakefront Bikeway is another notable exception that we hope to add in the not-too-distant future.

Ohio Trails Gmap In Satellite View

The advantages of the interactive platform have become more obvious now that most Ohio bikeways are included on the map. Picking out areas that have a high concentration of trails is a snap, along with those that offer the most connections with other bikeways. Finding road route options between trail sections is also pretty straightforward, as is picking out different surface types and finding facilities.

But the icing on the cake is definitely the built-in local search feature. It allows you to plan a trip using the map! Very cool and saves a lot of time compared to the old method of collecting road and trail maps, doing separate lodging, restaurant or bike rental searches, etc. It's still wise to have maps in-hand for your journey, but with the Gmap you can outline a trip plan very quickly. If you're still unfamiliar with the Google map platform, be sure to check out the User Guide which covers map features and functions.

Map Marker Updates

A map marker cleanup is coming next. Early on we just threw up a few POI markers when we placed a new trail on the map. Over time we've done a better job of using the word bubbles to provide better content. So it's time to revisit some of those early postings to bring them up to speed.

Google Maps & Web Browsers - 11/16/08

If you have used more than one web browser, you know that all browsers are not created equal. And when it comes to viewing Google maps, those differences can become painfully obvious after a few mouse clicks. The map viewing experience can become so lag-filled and slow that it's not worth your time.

[Slow connection speeds can also cause long page loads and lag. We'll assume you're aware of that and have sufficient speed.]

Considering the growing list of powerful features and capabilities that Google maps offer, using a browser that performs poorly on the Google platform is a real shame, if not criminal. You'll likely get discouraged and perhaps turn to older, static maps that pale in comparison and are... well, not nearly as useful or fun.

Taking a look at the browsers that Google maps supports, we find that there are four. (Note that their may be some issues with Google Chrome. Mike Williams provides some pros and cons on using it.) Google offers a troubleshooting page if you're having problems with one of the supported browsers. No worries if you're running a different browser without problems. You're fine.

When we use our IE 7 with the Ohio trails Gmap, things slow down considerably. Lag becomes an immediate problem, especially when we select a different perspective, such as one of the region buttons below the map. Lag is between 3-5 seconds and clicking to 'drag' the map is sluggish.

However, with cable internet access speeds and the Firefox browser, we've had no problems viewing, zooming and virtual touring the map. Lag is seldom an issue and usually the result of busy Google servers, rather than a sluggish browser. And since Firefox is our preferred browser, no troubleshooting was necessary.

That's not to suggest you ditch your favorite browser if you're having map-viewing issues. But check to make sure it's compatible and use the troubleshooting guidelines to tune it for better performance. If that doesn't do the trick, consider downloading and using a second browser for maps only. It's no more trouble than opening another window and will keep you enjoying the many cool Google map applications on the web!

Mapping Revs up Again! - 10/27/08

As the cool weather approaches and leaves begin to fall, our attention returns to building the Ohio Trails Google Map. Actually, work has already begun with the replotting of the Richland B & O Trail last month. The Maple Highlands Trail, Lake County Greenway and Collins, Ohio Trail (part of the NCIT) were just added to the map.

Look for map changes to continue as we build. It's an on-going evolution where we sort out what works from what doesn't. For example, recently we did away with a separate color for trail spurs. It created an unnecessarily busier look and a false sense of being able to easily distinguish spurs from the primary trails.

Sure, it's easy to see a difference on a color-coded map, but on the trail things are quite different. Some spurs can be indistinguishable from the main bikeway unless they're signed. So by displaying the trail, spurs and connectors as the same color, you're seeing a better representation of what you'll experience on the trail -- that they can all look alike! Here's a screen shot of a piece of the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath to illustrate the point.

towpath map

After looking at this, one may wisely opt to carry a good map or two, if unfamiliar with the area.

Along with tweaking the map, we'll be adding new features from time to time like the 'Terrain' view we've just added. Be sure to check out the User Guide to learn about all the map features.

Google Map Summer Updates - 5/29/08

Updates to the Gmap were coming fast and furious over the past winter months. They will continue over the summer, but will be less frequent as our "to-do" list ramps up during the cycling season. To check the latest additions to the map anytime, simply swing by the Gmap Updates page.

Summer is great time for field data collection, trail updates, developing new stuff for the web site, oh, and cycling of course! So the Gmap may slide down the priority list a bit. But fear not. More data collection means more trails will be added to the map in the near future.

Admittedly this blog entry is a bit weak on content. But we wanted to give a shout out to let you know what's happening and why blog entries and Gmapping is slowing down for now.

Be sure to get your bike out to enjoy a great trail-riding season!

Map Input & Marker Correction - 2/17/08

Ohio trail user news reports have proven valuable here at Ohio Bikeways. The Ohio Gmap will also rely on users for keeping up with new trail sections, trailheads and facilities. You can provide info regarding any Ohio trail, regardless of whether the bikeway has been posted yet. Data collected for unplotted trails will be filed until it can be placed on the map.

You may have wondered, how accurate are those markers on Google Maps? Well, if you've ever searched for your home address on one, you may have found it depicted some distance from its actual location. Likewise with GPS that relies on such map data. This has been an accuracy glitch in the system for some time that affects a wide range of map platforms (not just Google).

Nothing much could be done about it until recently when Google released an edit tool that allows users to modify marker locations. Here's a link with video that explains the process. It's quite simple and requires a free Google Account to use.

Everyone is encouraged to add info to the Ohio Gmap, as well as edit/correct data for your local trail. Just follow the procedure outlined above to make your own changes and to improve the quality and accuracy of Ohio trail maps!

Welcome To The Map Blog! - 1/27/08

Welcome! This blog was created to cover the latest on the Gmap we're building for Ohio trail users. We'll also address some related topics from time to time, like that special relationship between map and cyclist that begets the cycling map geek (or nerd, if you prefer).

For those yet to be afflicted, it's akin to trying your first adult beverage and quickly learning you enjoy it... a little too much. You didn't plan it that way, it just happens. Map geeks know what I'm talking about. Once you find that cool map that meets your needs, you just want more.

Until recently, online maps for Ohio trail users were fairly dismal. Many lacked detail and comprehensiveness. As a result, some of you got caught in a search loop continually seeking better maps, occasionally getting your fix from some good topos. While others, perhaps from desperation more than anything else, decided to hack their own. We're guilty on all counts. In fact that's how the Regional Map List page came to exist.

Eventually we started messing with Google's API and realized we could shelf the search obsession and sink our teeth into one killer map project. One so large in scope and possibility, that it called for opening some doors to let other Ohio trail map geeks in. Hence this blog and our Gmap project. Feel free to sit in, speak up or geek out.

Google Map Updates & Notes User Guide Map Blog Regional Map List Bicycle Routes Cuyahoga County Franklin County north (slow loading) Franklin County south Geauga County Lake County - Large PDF Lorain County Medina County City Networks Columbus Metro north (slow loading) Columbus Metro south Large PDF Cincy Route Guide Dayton Dublin Bike Paths Newark Trails Westerville Trails Large PDF	Resize A A A Gmap 'How-To' Video Demos - 8/27/10 Good news for those who may be bewildered or simply unfamiliar with how to use many of the features on the Gmap. 'How-To' video demos are here! Upcoming demos will cover trail information gathering techniques, as well as some nifty trip planning features. Let's begin with our first movie that covers finding trails and basic Gmap navigation. To view the demo at its proper size and resolution, select 'play' then 'Full Screen in HD' by clicking the button in the bottom right-hand corner of the player. Playing Catch Up - 7/21/10 As work began on revamping the web site last winter, all work on Gmap updates came to a halt. The cold weather months are our preferred mapping season, but since it was cut short last year, we'll get some map updates in this summer. Google Bike Directions Our November blog announced that Google had begun mapping Ohio trails. This past March they launched their 'Bike Directions' feature. This cool tool allows you to plan routes for a bike trip using available trails, bike lanes and road routes! Obviously, this can only be accomplished by displaying all existing bike trails and bike lanes(!) These appear on Google Maps as follows (when in bicycling mode): Dark green lines = bike trails Light green lines = bike lanes Dashed green lines = roads recommended for cyclists The Google route planner attempts to help you avoid busier roads and steep hills. You can also drag and drop the suggested route to customize one of your own. This ambitious interface is not perfect. It's based on user-submitted maps that may have an inaccuracy here or there. But we would guess that overall Ohio trails are depicted with accuracy somewhere between 90-95%, with many trails being right on the mark. And Google provides a feedback link for reporting bugs and other routing problems. This should help shape the tool to be even better! Integrating The Gmap - 12/28/09 The map marker overhaul is now complete. All Ohio trails listed on the Gmap are now integrated with other information sources. The idea is to make the map a front door for users who prefer to start their trip planning or trail research there. How It Works To learn more about a bikeway, start by clicking the radio button for one of the trails listed below the Gmap. Next open one of the POIs (Points Of Interest) by selecting it from the right-hand margin list, or clicking one of the corresponding markers on the map. Now click on any highlighted links inside the word bubbles for more info on the trail. The word bubbles serve as the connecting port to more maps, trail brochures and other resources. Available resources will vary from trail to trail, but each will at least be plugged into the Ohio Regional Trail & Map List which serves as the primary gateway to more info for each bikeway. Simply click on the trail's highlighted name inside any word bubble to access the list. A new browser window will open showing additional trail info. Now you can learn more about the trail without losing your place on the map or navigating away to read reviews, news or view other maps. Troublesome Links? Keeping the map's embedded outside links (links outside the Ohio Bikeways web site) in good working order may prove to be problematic. However, most of those same links should also be available through the Regional List. So it will provide an alternate route to many of the same resources. Video Tutorials We hope to have some video tutorials posted in the near future to demo this new feature as well as some basic map navigation and trip planning uses. Google Mapping Ohio Trails - 11/15/09 The growth and popularity of bike trails has been on the rise across the country as more communities are preserving greenways as they strive for more livable, walkable neighborhoods and city centers. As bikeways become more pervasive, it was only a matter of time until their popularity was reflected in business products. The most logical starting point being the mapping industry, since people want to explore new trails when they learn about them. And to do that, one needs to know where they go and how to find the trailheads. A look back through our news archives reveals that Ohio trails were not being Google mapped until the summer of 2007. The first (to our knowledge) was the Ohio & Erie Canalway site's rendering of the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath. The Ohio-to-Erie Trail followed shortly thereafter at Ohiotoerietrail.org. We happily joined the band wagon later that same year. In the meantime, 'create-a-map' web sites were becoming popular and allowed users to map their runs, rides or hikes. The popularity of trails, combined with the obvious advantages of these interactive mapping platforms, was a logical fit. It was only a matter of time until the big boys took notice. And now they have. You may have noticed that Google and Bing Maps have begun plotting Ohio Bikeways on their maps. These efforts are in the early stages, so don't expect a comprehensive trail collection that's seamlessly integraged with their map tools. We did a few tests on Google with their local search feature and were able to pull up about 6 or 7 ohio trails that were plotted. But if we didn't get the syntax perfectly matched with the name Google used, we'd often strike out. I.e. "Kokosing Trail" would miss, while "Kokosing Gap Trail" would find its target. Along with Google, Bing and perhaps some other mapping platforms, GPS companies like Garmin will be following suit and integrating Ohio trails into their product lines. This is great news for Ohio trail users, who until a few short years ago, were relying on trail books and a handful of sometimes crude, homemade online maps as their primary trail map resources. Google 'Street View' Trike Goes Trail Riding Google recently asked for public recommendations for non-road landscapes to photograph with their street-view trike. 5 trails were nominated, along with other categories that included: University Campuses, Landmarks, Theme Parks & Zoos and Pedestrian Malls. Visit their web site to vote on the nominees and see a video of the Google Street View Trike. Emerald Necklace Plotted - 9/28/09 Cooler weather signals the beginning of the mapping season here at Ohio Bikeways. To get things off to a flying start we've added the Emerald Necklace Trail to the Gmap. This was the missing piece of the major trail network puzzle. All the major Ohio bikeways (minus a few small bits) are now plotted and ready for virtual exploration. This latest addition comes with improved integrated resources built into the map markers. Now when you click on a Emerald Necklace marker or its label in the 'Points of Interest' menu, you get related links inside every word bubble. Links to more trail info, including maps of all the reservations the bikeway passes through. So you get maps within the map. Why? To provide even more information on the parks. The reservation maps show the locations of all available facilities, not just the few we've chosen to highlight for trail users. Of course all linked pages open in a separate window so you won't lose your place on the map. 'Out of Sync' Glitch Lives On Armed with a trusty GPS recording device, we eagerly collected data to plot the Necklace. Much to our surprise, the resulting track points revealed something unexpected. Portions of the recorded route were out-of-sync with Google's satellite imagery, while others were spot on. A few possible reasons for this come to mind: Weak GPS signal (under trees or in ravines), low recorder batteries, or some of the map images may simply be out-of-sync. No great disaster though. The tracks are close enough to easily pick out the trail in 'satellite' view, which has been updated along this bikeway. Improved Satellite Views That's right, Google has updated much of their aerial photography for Ohio. In the past, mainly large urban areas had good, close-up aerial views. Now you can view trailheads and other landmarks in many rural areas as well! In fact, the satellite imagery had been pretty useless for many rural trails. So if you seldom used it, it's time to give it a second look. Map Filling Out - 3/26/09 The Ohio Trails Gmap is filling out nicely as we continue to plot bikeways and regional trail networks. Though pieces are missing here and there, for the most part all the major trails and connections are plotted with the exception of the Emerald Necklace Trail, which we hope to start adding sometime later this year. The Cleveland Lakefront Bikeway is another notable exception that we hope to add in the not-too-distant future. Ohio Trails Gmap In Satellite View The advantages of the interactive platform have become more obvious now that most Ohio bikeways are included on the map. Picking out areas that have a high concentration of trails is a snap, along with those that offer the most connections with other bikeways. Finding road route options between trail sections is also pretty straightforward, as is picking out different surface types and finding facilities. But the icing on the cake is definitely the built-in local search feature. It allows you to plan a trip using the map! Very cool and saves a lot of time compared to the old method of collecting road and trail maps, doing separate lodging, restaurant or bike rental searches, etc. It's still wise to have maps in-hand for your journey, but with the Gmap you can outline a trip plan very quickly. If you're still unfamiliar with the Google map platform, be sure to check out the User Guide which covers map features and functions. Map Marker Updates A map marker cleanup is coming next. Early on we just threw up a few POI markers when we placed a new trail on the map. Over time we've done a better job of using the word bubbles to provide better content. So it's time to revisit some of those early postings to bring them up to speed. Google Maps & Web Browsers - 11/16/08 If you have used more than one web browser, you know that all browsers are not created equal. And when it comes to viewing Google maps, those differences can become painfully obvious after a few mouse clicks. The map viewing experience can become so lag-filled and slow that it's not worth your time. [Slow connection speeds can also cause long page loads and lag. We'll assume you're aware of that and have sufficient speed.] Considering the growing list of powerful features and capabilities that Google maps offer, using a browser that performs poorly on the Google platform is a real shame, if not criminal. You'll likely get discouraged and perhaps turn to older, static maps that pale in comparison and are... well, not nearly as useful or fun. Taking a look at the browsers that Google maps supports, we find that there are four. (Note that their may be some issues with Google Chrome. Mike Williams provides some pros and cons on using it.) Google offers a troubleshooting page if you're having problems with one of the supported browsers. No worries if you're running a different browser without problems. You're fine. When we use our IE 7 with the Ohio trails Gmap, things slow down considerably. Lag becomes an immediate problem, especially when we select a different perspective, such as one of the region buttons below the map. Lag is between 3-5 seconds and clicking to 'drag' the map is sluggish. However, with cable internet access speeds and the Firefox browser, we've had no problems viewing, zooming and virtual touring the map. Lag is seldom an issue and usually the result of busy Google servers, rather than a sluggish browser. And since Firefox is our preferred browser, no troubleshooting was necessary. That's not to suggest you ditch your favorite browser if you're having map-viewing issues. But check to make sure it's compatible and use the troubleshooting guidelines to tune it for better performance. If that doesn't do the trick, consider downloading and using a second browser for maps only. It's no more trouble than opening another window and will keep you enjoying the many cool Google map applications on the web! Mapping Revs up Again! - 10/27/08 As the cool weather approaches and leaves begin to fall, our attention returns to building the Ohio Trails Google Map. Actually, work has already begun with the replotting of the Richland B & O Trail last month. The Maple Highlands Trail, Lake County Greenway and Collins, Ohio Trail (part of the NCIT) were just added to the map. Look for map changes to continue as we build. It's an on-going evolution where we sort out what works from what doesn't. For example, recently we did away with a separate color for trail spurs. It created an unnecessarily busier look and a false sense of being able to easily distinguish spurs from the primary trails. Sure, it's easy to see a difference on a color-coded map, but on the trail things are quite different. Some spurs can be indistinguishable from the main bikeway unless they're signed. So by displaying the trail, spurs and connectors as the same color, you're seeing a better representation of what you'll experience on the trail -- that they can all look alike! Here's a screen shot of a piece of the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath to illustrate the point. After looking at this, one may wisely opt to carry a good map or two, if unfamiliar with the area. Along with tweaking the map, we'll be adding new features from time to time like the 'Terrain' view we've just added. Be sure to check out the User Guide to learn about all the map features. Google Map Summer Updates - 5/29/08 Updates to the Gmap were coming fast and furious over the past winter months. They will continue over the summer, but will be less frequent as our "to-do" list ramps up during the cycling season. To check the latest additions to the map anytime, simply swing by the Gmap Updates page. Summer is great time for field data collection, trail updates, developing new stuff for the web site, oh, and cycling of course! So the Gmap may slide down the priority list a bit. But fear not. More data collection means more trails will be added to the map in the near future. Admittedly this blog entry is a bit weak on content. But we wanted to give a shout out to let you know what's happening and why blog entries and Gmapping is slowing down for now. Be sure to get your bike out to enjoy a great trail-riding season! Map Input & Marker Correction - 2/17/08 Ohio trail user news reports have proven valuable here at Ohio Bikeways. The Ohio Gmap will also rely on users for keeping up with new trail sections, trailheads and facilities. You can provide info regarding any Ohio trail, regardless of whether the bikeway has been posted yet. Data collected for unplotted trails will be filed until it can be placed on the map. Contact us if you wish to send GPX files or other long/lat file types and you will be accommodated. You may have wondered, how accurate are those markers on Google Maps? Well, if you've ever searched for your home address on one, you may have found it depicted some distance from its actual location. Likewise with GPS that relies on such map data. This has been an accuracy glitch in the system for some time that affects a wide range of map platforms (not just Google). Nothing much could be done about it until recently when Google released an edit tool that allows users to modify marker locations. Here's a link with video that explains the process. It's quite simple and requires a free Google Account to use. Everyone is encouraged to add info to the Ohio Gmap, as well as edit/correct data for your local trail. Just follow the procedure outlined above to make your own changes and to improve the quality and accuracy of Ohio trail maps! Welcome To The Map Blog! - 1/27/08 Welcome! This blog was created to cover the latest on the Gmap we're building for Ohio trail users. We'll also address some related topics from time to time, like that special relationship between map and cyclist that begets the cycling map geek (or nerd, if you prefer). For those yet to be afflicted, it's akin to trying your first adult beverage and quickly learning you enjoy it... a little too much. You didn't plan it that way, it just happens. Map geeks know what I'm talking about. Once you find that cool map that meets your needs, you just want more. Until recently, online maps for Ohio trail users were fairly dismal. Many lacked detail and comprehensiveness. As a result, some of you got caught in a search loop continually seeking better maps, occasionally getting your fix from some good topos. While others, perhaps from desperation more than anything else, decided to hack their own. We're guilty on all counts. In fact that's how the Regional Map List page came to exist. Eventually we started messing with Google's API and realized we could shelf the search obsession and sink our teeth into one killer map project. One so large in scope and possibility, that it called for opening some doors to let other Ohio trail map geeks in. Hence this blog and our Gmap project. Feel free to sit in, speak up or geek out.	Map Blog Gmap Updates Gmap User Guide Map Notes Bicycle routes can be found in the left-hand margin menu under 'Bicycle Routes' & 'City Networks.' These maps feature color coded roadways based on how bike friendly the routes are.