The Ontario Ride to Conquer Cancer

depmode · Veteran Member

Timing chip included in ride kit

jeffl · Member

I would like to know this too as my wife wants to track my progress so she can come out and cheer when I pass our house (the route passes by about 200 yards from where I live....).

Kareevel · Member

I checked with the ride office and this is the response I got this afternoon!

"We are still working out the functionality of the chip but will definitely keep our riders in the loop when we know 100% how it works for the ride."

SilverFox · Senior Member

I looked into the makers website. There will be "chip readers" at the start and finish points at the bare minimum. You should be able to check your total time and compare with others. This would also tell the organizers how many people left each location, are on the course and have completed the days ride. Possibly there will be mid-ride check points, such as at the rest stops. Whether or not there will be a public website that family or friends can check is up to the organizers - but I'm not counting on it.

jeffl · Member

I find it somewhat odd that they would use this chip for "timing" purposes being that they seem to constantly stress that this is a ride and not a race.....? I've seen similar type devices used in other events - all true races - and the only functionality they've ever had (to the best of my knowledge) was to mark the exact times that a person crosses the start line and the finish line. Generally speaking it's the start line crossing that causes an issue in mass start races as those at the back of the pack are at a huge disadvantage as they may not actually cross the true start line for 10 or 15 minutes after the start.

Anyway, it would be nice if there were checkpoints along the way and a public website so others can track your progress, but I'm not holding my breath.........

teambreezyriders · Member

So I for the word from the Ride officials. "the time chip allows us to determine with more precison the number or riders coming into camp." That's it!

bubbastruts · Member

I'm sure this is a safetly / liability issue for the ride organizers. They can know how many riders started, and how many have made it to camp / the finish line. They will also know who is missing. With so many routes, I'm sure volunteers will be stretched to the max, so this will make it easier to keep an eye on everyone!

bubbastruts · Member

http://to12.conquercancer.ca/site/PageServer?pagename=to12_ride_with_us%27

depmode · Veteran Member

Although they seem to be introducing the ride with us link, they havent confirmed that people will be able to see where you are real-time on the route.

email information says:

This year, we are introducing Ride With Us - a special up-to-the-moment site with selected event photos straight from the route, maps, official releases, live streaming tweets and Facebook comments Its all there for you to share. Let your friends, family and donors see for themselves what the buzz is all about and get a true taste for this life-changing experience.

alkaseltzer01 · Member

I don't think there will be info on specific riders. It will be bits and pieces of what the RTCC media/social group decides to posts and share.

Jodi · Member

Anyone know if this really needs to get stuck to the top of the helmet? Blocking some air vents - think we could just sttick it on our bikes?

WYGTGjohn · Newbie

I used this app last year on my Blackberry and it worked pretty well:

http://crackberry.com/blackberry-tracker-free-live-gps-tracking-anti-theft-geofence-alerts-gps-history-blackberry

It uses the GPS in your BB to determine location, and sends the info to a server at preset intervals (eg, every 5 minutes). Friends can track you on a website. Each transmission includes info like your speed at that instant. I see they have added the ability for you to track friends who are also using the app. You would be able to track other riders on your team from within the app if you are separated or riding different routes.

WYGTGjohn · Newbie

Further to my earlier post, I see a tracking app is on the blackberry appworld, whereas I can't access the website for the other one I listed. BB users maybe check this out:

http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/567/

wizzo_29 · Veteran Member

someone i met up with at camp said their family was able to look them up and see their overall time and speed but I don't know where that information would be found, any suggestions?

depmode · Veteran Member

there are apps for iTunes like mapmyride that will allow you to track your travels and allow others to access this information.
is it possible that they used an app, or did they actually mention that the tracking was done through the stick on tracker that was provided?

spark_biker · Newbie

I use MotionX-GPS for my Iphone to track most of my rides.

Its only $0.99 in the app store!

It lets you customize who tracks you with your own "channel number"

What apps are others using? Any reccomendations?

These apps do drain your battery as your GPS is on for the entire duration you are running it...

I bought some cheap (20bucks) Iphone Battery backup chargers, they simply plug into the Iphone and snug the back with some suction cups. I brought along 2 on the ride, one to charge once i was done my ride, and another to keep my phone charged over night so i'd have a full charge for sunday !

Highly reccomended for any travel or nights when you aren't sure if you'll be able to recharge !

wizzo_29 · Veteran Member

i thought he said that they used the tracking information provided by the ride but i could be wrong

smerker · Member

the chips were to help the announcers identify Riders coming across the finish line and give proper acknowledgement to each Rider. Some donors also submitted video messages that were triggered when the Rider crossed the finish line.

JBjr · Newbie

I was curious to know how the videos were submitted as my wife and kids were unable to be there at the finish this year. It would have been great to see my kids up there after completing my 4th ride, second as a survivor! Any help would be greatly appreciated.

SSMRides · Member

I know I donated to a friend riding in BC and I got a couple of emails saying I could submit a video to wish her well etc. I assume the same happened for our rides - who ever donated to you would have gotten the email

dusty99 · Newbie

My understanding was that the videos would be played as you crossed the finish line (i finished in Niagara). My wife said that there was a time lag between the time the rider crossed and the time the video played. You were to see the video as you got to the finish line.

Wrilly · Member

As a crew member, I definitely appreciate what they are trying to accomplish with the chips and tracking how many riders are where. When there are a few thousand of you out there, it's a bit chaotic making sure everyone has made it past each check point lol and the last thing we want to do is have someone being left behind without food and water because a stop was closed and we didn't know there were still people that hadn't been through. You probably haven't noticed them, but for the last few years there has been someone standing at each checkpoint with a handheld counter (like the ones they use at the bar) doing their best to keep track of how many riders have gone through :P