Episodios

  • What training opportunities do we have coming up in 2025, Fenix 8 - 6 weeks in and Andy's top tips.

    In this month’s podcast

    What GPS Training courses do we have for 2025
    Garmin Fenix 8 – 6 weeks in
    1 thing that we each would encourage any GPS to do – the one action you would encourage every handheld GPS user to do
    Andy’s Top Tips

    1.   What courses do we currently have?

    1. Online resource - £50.00/ year (included free with and GPS purchase)

    2. Support packages - Bronze, Silver and Gold - £80.00/ £125.00/ £145.00 / year (included free with and GPS purchase)

    3. Group training courses over Zoom - £74.99

    4. Nationwide two-day training course - £195.00 for 2-day course

    5. 1:1 over Zoom - 2 hours - £89.00

    6. 1:1 in person, Northumberland, get in touch

    A video looking at the training options can be seen here


    2. Garmin Fenix 8 – 6 weeks in

    Full review on the Garmin Fenix 8 - watch/ read it here

     

    3. When teaching on a GPS Training course - What 1 thing that we each would encourage any GPS to do – the one action you would encourage every handheld GPS user to do


    4. Andy’s Top Tips 

    TwoNav - Route Off course alerts change distance & volume

    Main menu – Settings – Activity Profiles – Alarms – Data Fields
    Deviation from Route – Maximum – enter distance (Min off)

    Terra, Aventura Have different Tones options
    All units have Option to Repeat alarm on or off and how often to repeat , 15s, 30s, 1min, 2min, 5min

    Volume Top toolbar from map page Audio muted or change volume

    Garmin - Push Button Units GPSMAp65,66,67 – Add Shortcut applications to page button

    A good example satellite page to check grid ref & accuracy using Page button
    From Main menu setup – Menus – Page Sequence – Edit page sequency – Add page – applications – Satellite, another example 66, 67 only flashlight

  • Coris Vertix 2s, new inReach contracts, the all-new Garmin inReach Messenger plus and Andy's top tips.

    In this month’s podcast

    First thoughts on the Coros Vertix 2s - 2 min 09 sec.
    New inReach contracts - 14 min 10 sec.
    New inReach messenger plus - 28 min.
    Andy’s Top Tips - 33 min 55 sec.

    1.   First thoughts on the Coros Vertix 2s

    Robust tough sapphire screen sunlight readable, titanium bezel, big battery not all the bells and whistles but so easy to use.

    For a none solar watch battery is great
    Bigger screen very clear data boxes
    Scroll wheel works really well as per other coros like lock screen to stop accidental stopping of activity but can still scroll though screens
    off course alert virbrate seems stronger and works well
    ease of use, app simple, routes transfer easily
    Maps not as details but so easy to see line in fromt of you and have handheld with os maps for those more difficult navigation, on 16 mile route yesterday used watch 90% of the time only looked at handheld couple of times

    Coros Vertix 2s - more here

    2. New inReach contracts
     
    SOS only (Garmin call this inReach enabled) - £7.99/month - inReach Enabled has no annual fee and includes unlimited SOS and pay-as-you-go pricing for other features. (You have to have contract in place for at least x 1 month)

    10p / check-in

    10p / trackPoint

    50p / message/ weather

    1 off payment – Activation fee - £39.99

    Garmin inReach products - more here

    3. New inReach messenger plus

    What is the Garmin inReach messenger? - £199.99

    Up to 28 days with a message or location sent every 10 minutes with full sky view; up to 14 days with moderate tree cover
    Up to 6 days with a message or location sent every 2 minutes with full sky view; up to 3 days with moderate tree cover
    Up to 46 days with a message or location sent every 30 minutes with full sky view; up to 23 days with moderate tree cover
    Up to 1 year when powered off

    What is the inReach messenger plus? - £429.99 ( 30 second voice message, photo’s)

    -- NEW -- The ability to also send voice recordings, photos and group messaging on the Garmin Messenger™ app

    Up until now Garmin’s inReach line used Short Burst Data (SBD) to send messages, but with entirely new hardware, the Messenger Plus uses Iridium Messaging Transport (IMT) to send messages 300 times larger than SBD. That means it can support photos, 30-second voice memos, and 1,600-character texts (previous inReach text messages couldn’t exceed 160 characters).

    Battery

    Up to 120 hours of text message or location information sent every 2 minutes in power-saving messaging mode; up to 70 hours in performance messaging mode.
    Up to 600 hours of text message or location information sent every 10 minutes in power-saving messaging mode; up to 110 hours in performance messaging mode.
    Send up to 250 multimedia messages on a single battery charge.
    Up to 1 year from power off
    Note: Battery life estimates assume use with a full view of the sky. Battery life may be significantly reduced by obstructions or dense trees.

    Garmin inReach Messenger Plus - more here

    4. Andy’s Top Tips

    Coros Watches

    When on map or elevation plot screen

    If you do press in scroll wheel you will see + - icon to use scroll wheel to zoom in and out – remember to press back button when finished or when screen unlocked scroll wheel will not move to next screen as still in zoom mode back button cancels

    Remember you cannot pause or stop activity from map or elevation sreen but any other screen

     

    Mac recycle bin for TwoNav maps or Garmin Topo Active, make sure you clear if you have deleted from devoice otherwise when device connected and bin can be seen it still shows that the device has this memory taken

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  • The new Garmin Fenix 8, Irish mapping for a TwoNav GPS unit and a new GPS Training course for 2025.

    In this month’s podcast

    It’s our 100’th episode
    Fenix 8 – what has changed
    Irish mapping for TwoNav
    NEW – GPS Training courses over Zoom for 2025
    Andy’s Top Tips



     1. It’s our 100th podcast

    Sorry it’s a little late in the month, normally it is the 1st of every month.

    Holidays and very busy at GPS Training

    If you do not already do please subscribe to the GPS Training podcast on whatever platform you listen to us on

     

    2. Fenix 8 - what has changed?

    AMOLED screen – no longer EPIX

    Fenix 8 – AMOLED
    Fenix 8 – SOLAR

    Additions –

    - AMOLED comes in three sizes: 43/47/51mm
    - Solar comes in two sizes: 47/51mm

    - Solar edition only - New edge ring solar panel is far more efficient, and no longer covers display, improving clarity
    - New sensor guard protects microphone and barometer (between buttons)
    - New leak-proof button design using inductive buttons, so no actual hole in the case
    – Added recreational scuba diving/apnea features, down to 40M with EN13319 certification
    – Added diving no-fly and surface time features (widgets/data pages, etc…)
    – Added access to phone assistant via microphone/speaker (with your smartphone)
    – Added taking phone calls via microphone/speaker (with your smartphone)
    – Added voice notes recorder (on watch)
    – Added new offline voice assistant
    – Added new maps radius zoom UI change
    – Added new maps North Up quick toggle
    – Added new maps layer selection quick access menu
    – Added quick access touch unlock feature (temporarily unlocks touch, such as for a map during workout)
    – Added new ‘Active Navigation’ menu system while navigating a course/waypoint/etc
    – Added new consolidated ‘Saved’ feature, to find saved routes/waypoints/etc
    – Added new dynamic round-trip routing, to auto—change route mid-way to achieve a specified distance if you go off-course (e.g. set for 5 miles)
    – Added ‘Set a Target’ distance reminder, to remind you to turn around after the half-way point
    – Added Ski difficulty tracking option
    – Added strength training plans (4-6 weeks, via Garmin Connect)
    – Added new watch face editor, and new watch faces
    – Added new Countdown app to countdown to various dates/events
    – Added new Focus Modes
    – Added new online processing of troubled GPS tracks, using internal watch sensor data to correct them
    – Major redesign of user interface, including widgets, settings, and activity/workout pages
    – Revamped Notification Centre to include Garmin-based notifications (e.g., Morning Report or Daily Summary)

    3. Irish mapping for TwoNav – potentially getting updated

    Source: LPSNI Northern Ireland

    Scale: 1:50.000

    Format: Topographic

    Size: 437.19 Mb

    Resolution: 4.0 m/px

    Version : 2012

    £34.16

    Southern Ireland OSM & TomTom

    Overseas and Irish map options for TwoNav GPS Units


    4. NEW – GPS Training courses over Zoom for 2025

    Over the next couple of weeks we will be putting our 2025 GPS Training courses on the website –

    Two-day ‘physical’ training courses around the UK – £195.00

    Scottish Borders

    Northumberland

    Lake District

    Peak District

    Northamptonshire

    Gloucestershire

    South Downs

    New Forest

    Then we have out 1:1 over Zoom – 2 hours - £89.00 – at a time that suits you best

    BUT, new for 2025 we are having 1 day group courses over Zoom
    Unit specific – TwoNav, GPSMAP series, Montana series and maybe watches and other series of units going forward.

    These will be - £75.00/ person
    During the week

    10.00 – 16.00 (with x 1 hour for lunch – giving time to digest what has been taught
    Unit specific – Cover how to use GPS unit and planning routes on our free OS planner

    – 4 people on each Zoom training course

     

    5. Andy’s top tips

    TwoNav

    If you own a computer you can organise your Routes into Folders
    From your computer Windows File Explore, Mac Finder,

  • In this podcast, we look back at the past 99 episodes of the GPS Training podcast.

    The first ever GPS Training Podcast went out on Sept 15th 2017 – 7 years ago

    I had been on holiday that summer and first learnt about Podcasts and had got slightly ‘hooked’ on them, or one particular – Big Ideas for Small Business, which incidentally I was interviewed for 2 years later.

    I loved the format of the podcast, long-form, which you invested in.

    I remember the first ever day I pitched the idea at one of our staff meetings I was met by some interesting ‘blank stares.

    Here it is –

    In the first-ever GPS Training Podcast the lead piece was on the ‘all-new’ Sat Map Active 20 – 2 months on.

    Quite ironic as SatMap went out of business in 2022, 5 years later


    The Podcast has really gone through x 3 eras/ formats

    Podcast 1 (2017) – 19 (2019) – with Andy and other guests

    Streamed live on Facebook

    Podcast 19 – 59 (Sept 2021) with Ian and other guests

    Then Andy came back from then on to the present day

    Podcast 60 to current day

    Monthly except for

    Podcast 33 (March 2020) onwards - Covid, we went to fortnightly podcasts

    Recorded these at 7.45 in the morning then I could answer any calls in the office, as all the other staff were furloughed

    It hopefully kept you all sane, I know it certainly did that with us – kept us sane – very hard time personally, working on my own and being upbeat on a podcast not knowing what was around the corner on the business front

    As things started to get a little more ‘normal’ we had our 50th Podcast (March 2021) we had the whole team from GPS Training at the time on the podcast and we answered random questions, picked out of a hat.

    Questions that are in the hat

    If you could go anywhere in the world, where would that be and why?
    If you were going off today on a 15 mile walk what GPS unit would you take with you?
    If you could make one thing change in this business overnight (no budget), what would it be?
    AA batteries or built-in battery in a GPS unit?
    Favorite workday of the week and why?
    Favorite course location?
    Favorite walk?
    What one sneaky thing do you keep in your rucksack?

    I know a number of you that I have spoken to over the years have gone all the way back to number 1 and listened to them all.

    I am massively impressed, well done to you guys and girls!

    Some of my - Highpoints –

    I was first introduced to the Spine Race by Paul Freeman –

    Podcast 31, back in 2020 – Spoke to Paul Freeman before he undertook the Spine Challenger south – I knew nothing about this race before I interviewing him

    Quite ironic now as the Spine Race became such a large part of both mine and Andy’s life over the past number of years.

    I remember doing a bit research before that interview and learning about the spine Race for the first time, all the different race options.

    After I interviewed Paul again, after he had finished the race, I remember thinking to myself, I would love to do that one day and x 3 years later I finished the 108 mile spine challenger south, the race Paul had done.

    Then the following year, this year, the 160 mile Spine Challenger North.

    I am often humbled, when speaking to these people, how often the person I am speaking to really opens up and often you can see tears running down their faces as they share their thoughts and emotions with you.


    Speaking about people who have done truly epic challenges my mind cannot get past – Duncan Hutchinson

    On the 15th GPS Training podcast I interviewed Duncan, who had built his own rowing boat and then rowed across the Atlantic.

    I had interviewed him again, but speaking to him in October 2018 after he had got so near to completing this adventure.

    If you have not listened to this, he explains his dramatic rescue just off the coast of Ireland (699 miles away), the 100th day of his cross Atlantic crossing.

    Duncan had borrowed a Garmin inReach messenger from u...

  • In the second of our x 4 Podcasts for August, we look back at the past 10 years of GPS Training.

    Shepherds Walks bought GPS Training in 2014

    Bought GPS Training from Peter Judd, Peter had his own business and retired to the Lake District.

    He worked for George Fishers in Keswick and could see a space in the market for GPS Training.

    The first ever GPS Training course was in Mungrisdale, Lake District.

    First x 5 years very hard but we quickly learnt that a more informed customer made life a lot easier for us

    The first GPS training Podcast came about in September 2017

    In 2016 we got rid of our retail premises and went solely online, this was in the old Tourist Information Centre in Rothbury when we finally closed down the retail premises.

    We set up Outdoor GPS Shop in Sept 2019, which is the 'budget' website for GPS units.

    GPS training offers a post-sale training and support package whereas Outdoor GPS sells just on price.

    March 2020 - Covid - this had a very large effect on the business. It was a real wake-up call.

    We managed to fast-track a number of plans, as we needed to get our sales up very quickly.

    In 2021 I created our first ever 'walk and talk' video for YouTube, to showcase to potential customers the final navigational experience you get on a GPS unit.

    April 2023 - Moved into our current premises, look at our build here.

    Many tahnks for all your support, not only from myself but from all the team here at GPS Training.

     

     

  • How is Shepherd's Walks made up? x 4 aspects of the business in 2024 – multi-million-pound turnover

    Shepherds Walks – Events, courses, retailer and guided walks

    Shepherds Walks Holidays – Guided and self-guided walking holidays

    Capricorn Mohair Socks – 60 + trade accounts and retail

    GPS Training/ Outdoor GPS Shop – largest retailer of Outdoor GPS units in the UK, I know what our competitors sell, not very professional to say what they sell

    1999 – Shepherds Walks – Northumbrian Shepherds Walks

    - But, let’s go a back a little further than that

    I’m Jon Monks –

    School – not academic, school just did not work for me - Dyslexic

    But excelled and Cubs, Scouts and Duke of Edinburgh

    Hiking competitions

    Maps made more sense to me than text in a book

    Career choice - work outdoors – farmer?

    Career officer – School

    Career office – St Helens

    James Hayes

    Lancashire College of Agriculture – Careers office

    YTS x 2 years – Arable framing

    College x 3 years – Dairy and finally sheep

     

    Post college – Australia, Lord Carnarvon (Highclere Estate) and Northumberland x 2 jobs

    1999 – Shepherds Walks – Wrote walking guides (from a Shepherds perspective)
    The web was made for walking – marketing
    Telegraph, Guardian, Radio 4 (Ramblings x 2), Countryfile, Country Walking Magazine
    Country Shows, Farmers Markets – really learning how to sell – hard work

    2005 – Went full-time – Health Walks
    Barclays Bank, Local District Council (now dispended) – Small business adviser and Business Link

     

    Hard to make money, as did not really have a viable business -
    Had a small shop/ unit on a converted farm with coffee shop and 8 other small ‘more crafty’ businesses.

    Guided walks, self-led walking guides, maps, local history books, postcards etc

    2006 – Bought Capricorn Mohair Socks

    Needing 36k to buy business

    15k bank, 15k our own money but 6k VAT
    Became VAT registered after this – 75k ish turnover

    2006/ 2007 – Selling GPS units – Contacting Peter Judd and Sheep Trails

    Started selling GPS units/ training courses

    2008 – Shepherds Walks Holidays – part of Saddle Skedaddle

     

    2014 – Bought GPS Training – doubled my turnover – not scared of talking figures (125k x 2 – ¼ million turnover) – But more about that in next weeks podcast

     

    And what a story that is – GPS Training

    Covid – First lockdown - March 2020

    Started to understand that often less is more – My shepherding background was the more I went around the sheep at lambing time the more sheep I would have, but this was not the case with GPST

    We had a great stable base to build the business on – 50k Bounce back loan

    New website –

    GPST Jan 2021 – Built in Christmas/ January lockdown

    SWH – 2022 – invest or die after Covid

    SW – Jan 2022

    Moved to our current premises – April 2023 (got keys on 1st February)

    If you have not seen the video of us building the new offices please do, I will leave a link in the show notes - https://gpstraining.co.uk/blogs/news/the-build-shepherds-walks-ltd

    We took over an empty unit (2,250 sq ft, 209 sq m) on 1st February 2023 and in 10 weeks spent weekends and evenings building our new office, training room and warehouse.

    This was literally a new start – as we were in charge of our own destiny and I think it really reflects what Shepherds Walks Ltd is all about.

    So that brings you up to date with where we currently are.

    The x 4 businesses really keep us busy.

    Next week I look in depth at GPS Training – how it was started and what has happened in the business over the past x 10 years.

    In this I will talk you through the biggest challenge I have ever set out on – But this subject is, i.e. the first 10 years of GPS Training

  • In this month’s podcast

    1. We look back this year's Spine Race and how we each got on - 00:50

    2. TwoNav software update – what has changed - 22:22

    3. Apple's announcement – Two-way satellite communication - 28:06

    4. Andy’s top tips - 36:10

     

    1. We look back to this year’s Spine Event

    Andy took part in

    - Spine Challenger South – Started Saturday morning – 15th June –
    108 miles
    60 hours to complete
    Edale to Hardraw
    CP1 – Hebdon Hay, CP 1.5 – Malham Tarn

    Jon took part in

    - Spine Challenger North – Started Monday morning – 17th June -

    160 miles

    90 hours to complete
    Hardraw to Kirk Yetholm, Scottish Borders

    CP1 – Low Way Farm, Middleton on Teesdale
    CP2 – Alston YH
    CP3 – Bellingham
    CP3.5 – Byrness

    Completed it in 86 hours and 10 mins

    Highpoints – First 37 miles to CP1 (Low Fell Farm, near to Middleton in Teesdale) and then section that follows River Tees, it’s truly stunning, especially as the sun set.
    Low points – Eating, first part of Cheviot Hills

    Jon’s Just Giving - https://www.justgiving.com/team/spinenorthjon

    Andy’s Just Giving - https://www.justgiving.com/team/andyayrespinechallenger

     

    2.   TwoNav software update
     


    3. Satellite Texting Is Coming to the iPhone. Do I Still Need My inReach?

     

    Apple’s new iOS 18 update allows its products to work off-grid. But are phones a suitable replacement for purpose-built backcountry communication tools?

    Being released in the US late this year, but no price structures have been given to date.

    I was speaking to a contact in the industry this week and he was saying there is a large problem metering and measuring the data that is being send from satellites, so it is hard to ‘measure a cost’ as the data request for this info costs more than sending the message itself.

    Currently, free SOS Satellite capabilities from Apple since late 2022, using Globalstar satellite system (currently used by Spot)

    Globalstar also does not cover full coverage of the world, but it has been utilised very well by the Spot outdoor communicators in the past, but Globalstar getting a massive cash injection from Apple.

    Apple will pay for 95% of the approved capital expenditure for the new satellites needed to support the service for Globalstar to upgrade their satellite systems.

    So let’s see what happens

    Iridium (Garmin and Zoleo use) far better quality than Globalstar

    But, we have Apple, the 6th largest business in the world supporting/ backing this
    A little bias, but anything apple do will be good and have a good interface so time will tell.

     

    4. Top Tips

    If you Garmin came with preloaded Topo Active Europe but you also have OS map card how do you view them say for cycling or in a more urban environment

    As OS maps take precedence over maps on memory you simply turn them off

    Main menu – Setup – Map – etrex 32, GPSMap - Map information, GPSMAp66i, 67, Montana 700Map manager some older units  configure maps

    Worldwide basemap should always be enabled

    Disable Topo Pro 1:50k or for 1:25k Older North Scotland, South Scotland West England wales etc 5 x regions , newer map card 12 x regions

     

    TwoNav – Main menu Maps – tap and turquoise Eye icon means in view – tap eye icon to hide

    GB Topo is OS Maps
    British Isles OSM – Open Source

    GBrtn23q1TomTom

     

  • This year's Summer Spine Race series, GPS accuracy, getting the best battery life on a GPS unit or watch whilst participating in an Ultramarathon and Andy's Top Tips.

    In this month's GPS Training Podcast 

    1. We look forward to this year's Spine Race and how our race prep is doing - 1 min

    2. GPS accuracy – What is good, settings and how have things changed over the years? - 26 min 35 seconds

    3. Getting the best out of your battery – during an ultra event – both units and watches - 36 minutes 55 seconds

    4. Andy’s top tips - 45 minutes 55 seconds

     

    1. We look forward to this year’s Spine Event

    x 4 distances

    Sprint – Starts Saturday afternoon – 15th June –
    46 miles
    18 hours to complete
    Edale to Hebdon Bridge

    Spine Challenger South – Starts Saturday morning – 15th June –
    108 miles
    60 hours to complete
    Edale to Hardraw
    CP1 – Hebdon Hay, CP 1.5 – Malham Tarn

    Spine Challenger North – Starts Monday morning – 17th June -
    160 miles
    90 hours to complete
    Hardraw to Kirk Yetholm, Scottish Borders
    CP1 – Low Way Farm, Middleton on Teesdale
    CP2 – Alston YH
    CP3 – Bellingham
    CP3.5 – Byrness

    Full Spine Race – Starts Sunday morning – 16th June –
    268 miles
    156 hours to complete

    Edale to Kirk Yetholm, Scottish Borders

    Paul Turner, Byrness Hill – Walking an epic 1000 mile. His walk will include both the Coast to Coast & the Pennine Way (walking each twice) & finishing with the Yorkshire Dales Centurion Walk.

    Paul’s Just Giving page - https://www.justgiving.com/team/pauls1000miletrek

    - Training

    - Doing anything different this year

    - Thoughts ahead of this year's event?

    Jon’s Just Giving - https://www.justgiving.com/team/spinenorthjon

    Andy’s Just Giving - https://www.justgiving.com/team/andyayrespinechallenger

     

     

    2.   GPS accuracy – What is good, settings and how have things changed over the years?

    3 x Satellites show position 2d, 4 x Satellites 3d elevation

    What is Multi GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite system)
    Device picks up more than one set of Satellite Constellations
    Main ones we use in devices such as Garmin, TwoNav, Coros

    GPS – USA 1978 started Military - Global use 1994
    31 Satellites
    Glonass – Russian development 1976 – operational early 80’s
    24 Satellites operational
    Galileo – EU – 2016 started
    26 Operational
    Beidou – China – Started 2012
    56 Operational
    Twonav does not use duel frequency but multi-band uses 3 x satellite constellations at once, we have been using GPS, Galileo & Beidou and seeing under 10 feet and have seen down to 4 – 5 feet
    GPSMap65,67 dual frequency have seen down to 6 feet
    Generally we find other handhelds picking up either GPS & Glonass or GPS & Galileo around 10 - 12 feet
    Garmin Watches do not show an accuracy screen
    Coros has a Satellite screen where you can see how many are in view and how many are strongly locked on

    What is Dual Frequency / Multi Band
    Use Coros Article

    GPS – 18 satellite transmit at L1 & L5
    Glonass – older L1 & L2 no L5

    Galileo – all E1 & E5
    Beidou – all B1 & B2

    Devices we sell with dual frequency Epix gen 2, Fenix 7 sapphire solar & pro models
    GPSMap65,65s,66sr,67,67i 

    How accurate is a GPS unit/ watch video - https://gpstraining.co.uk/blogs/reviews/how-accurate-is-a-gps-unit-and-which-is-the-most-accurate-gps-unit

     

    3. Getting the best out of your battery – during an ultra event – both units and watches

    We always talk about backlight if you have option to reduce, not leaving on map page, turning off HR on watches, coros turn off stress monitoring, nighttime coros use nightmode, gesture control vastly improved or just tap backlight button etc, map North up although we do prefer track up

    Handhelds use battery save mode screen off

    But carrying on from the discussion about satellites
    My own Epix 2 Pro 51mm
    GPS Only – 82 hrs
    All Systems not dual ie Multiband – 61hrs
    All systems + multi-band – 37 hrs
    Auto select picks satellite so battery will go up and do...

  • In this month’s podcast 

    1. Spot Gen4 – satellite communicator/ tracker - 1 min 30 seconds

    2. Garmin backpack tethers -  has your cord become frayed? - 17 min 27 seconds

    3. Free OS planner – many thanks for the donations - 25 min 27 seconds

    4. Andy’s top tips - 30 min 54 seconds

     

    Spot Gen4 – satellite communicator/ tracker 

    Pricing - Plan prices are in Euros also in small print you do need to also add on 20% vat to all prices shown.

    Unlimited messages-  Unlimited is only for email contacts if you send any messages including Check-in, Custom & help messages to a Mobile number you have a total allowance of 200 a year, hence for unlimited I would recommend using email addresses.If you go over the 200 you can purchase a bundle of 200 more messages otherwise you are charged 0.15 per additional message over the 200 per year.

    Contacts - The maximum of 10 x contacts should really be named as 10 x slots i.e. you could not put 10 x mobile numbers in and for the same people 10 x email addresses at this would be 20.

    If you put 5 x email addresses in and 5 x mobile numbers in this would your 10 x contacts slots used up.

    Do you need a computer – A computer is required with USB connection to the device to sync and changes you make to tracking, tracking intervals and to install new firmware / software updates.

    If you change messages and contacts a computer is not required for these changes.

    Battery change – To change batteries there are 4 x screws to undo, advise customer to have small flat screwdriver in their backpack

    Selling points

    Peace of mind when off grid to have SOS and being able to send check-in messages to friends and family and have friends and family track you.

    Lightweight robust weatherproof

    Can use your own AAA Batteries

    With 4 x AAA Lithium batteries excellent battery life – see PDF battery life chart

    Unit itself cost effective to buy – cheapest physical unit that we sell.

    Simple to use – but If you are not using tracking the monthly pricing is not as good when comparing to say a Garmin messenger that will allow two way messages and more functions on the device, but sometimes extra functions if not require could be more confusing.

    The big selling point for me would be that the pricing includes 5, 10, 30 & 60 minute tracking at no extra charge, if you mainly want for SOS peace of mind and tracking it is more cost effective than others.

    The Spot 20% discount code (only from GPS Training) is only for the annual messages not flex plans – must be activated by 30th June, we will include a discount code in with your SPOT

    20% off activation

    20% off annual plan

    Normally £215.52/ year
    Now £206.90/ year, so great way to see if it for you
    SPOT GEN4 Tracker – Normally £149.99, now - £139.99 

    This has 5, 10, 30 and 60minute tracking included in with it

     

    To find out more about the Spot Gen4 please do to our website – GPSTraining.co.uk > GPS Store > Two-way satellite communication and you will see the Spot Gen 4 there at - £139.99

     

    2. Garmin backpack tethers -  has your cord become frayed?

    Just under 50 people answered the questions – 

    Which rucksack strap are you carrying it on
    I have found the cord has got caught - Yes/ No
    Any other comments/ feedback

    ¼  wore it on right

    ¾  wore on left

    86% experienced frayed cord on Right

    56% experienced frayed cord on Left

    - I wrapped black electrical tape around the part of the cord that sticks to the velcro thus solving the issue
    - I replaced the strap with 3mm nylon paracord which works perfectly
    - I am left-handed so it was natural to put it on the right strap and use my left hand. I have found if I stretch the cord out before placing it back on the velcro, it doesn't get caught as much.

     

    3. Free OS planner – many thanks for the donations

    A number of people have kindly donated

    -       Go onto youTube - https://youtu.be/wHZ15WEnxpc?si=xVphw20tjyxiTUvN

  • Outdoor Expo, Birmingham NEC, TwoNav Roc, Going overseas and Andy's top tips

    In this month’s podcast

    1. What was going on at Outdoor Expo, Birmingham NEC - 2 min

    2. TwoNav Roc – a new edition to the range - 6 mins

    3. Taking your GPS overseas, what should you do ahead of your trip - 23 min 15 seconds

    4. Andy’s top tips - 34 min 30 seconds

     

    1. The National Outdoor Expo – last weekend, Birmingham NEC

    Many thanks to everybody who came along to say hello.

    I was on the Zoleo stand and spoke to many listeners of the podcast including Kevin who has gone all the way back to episode number 1 and listened to every single episode of the podcast.

    Zoleo – 2nd year we have been there with Zoleo

    Amazed on how their profile has been increased over the last year, great product and it is really good to see how well it is now being received both online and at the show.

    Key thing is the live tracking - £4.50/ month and this can be bolted onto any package

    2. TwoNav Roc

    In addition to existing range we stock –

    - Cross Plus

    - Terra

    - Aventura 2 Plus

    - And now TwoNav Roc

    Videos comparing the TwoNav Roc with a Garmin eTrex 32x and Cross Plus

    3. Taking your GPS overseas, what should you do ahead of your trip

    Position format settings - changing the Position Format settings on your GPS device to suit the map grid system being use in the Country that you are visiting.
    Mapping options – OSM or Topo maps if no pre-loaded topo active mapsAdvanced map setup – detail level higher
    GPS settings, time settings and compass calibration – time settings set automatically, calibrate the electronic compass

    Videos taking you through how you set your Garmin GPS unit up before heading overseas.

    4. Top Tips

    Fenix, Epix Lock Keys
    Hold top left button Scroll down widgets unit you see padlock and select with start stop button – to unlock any button for a few second’s

    If you cannot see padlock – hold top left button – hold middle left button – add controls – start stop button to enter – scroll down select lock device option

    Coros
    Setting Auto Lock set as Standby and activity hold to unlock

    GPSMap67/66 – Lock Keys

    On off button held in few seconds – status screen – lock keys – press Enter – power button to unlock

    Touch Screen Montana 700 series all TwoNav

    Montana default double tap power key screen off and locked – power key single tap back on
    TwoNav – single power button tap screen off and locked – single power tap back on

  • Bullitt, TwoNav, PSMA map cards and Andy's top tips

    In this month’s podcast

    1. What is going on at Bullitt, the creator of the Motorola Defy – satellite link? - 2 min 31 sec

    2. TwoNav – a breath of fresh air – quick update - 13 min 15 sec

    3. Mountain rescue teams - PSGA map cards - Garmin - 26 min 33 sec

    4. Andy’s top tips - 30.08

    1. Bullitt – maker of the Motorola Defy Satellite Link

    In late January filed for bankruptcy

    Founders were paying for service to continue for 1 month

    We are over that time period and everything is still working

    19th February - Sky News understands that Exponent Private Equity, which has successfully backed companies including Quorn and Trainline, is expected to agree to a restructuring of Bullitt's finances in the coming weeks.

    The change of control is expected to see the Business Growth Fund (BGF) - a £2.5bn vehicle set up by the UK's biggest high street lenders in the aftermath of the financial crisis - play a leading role in Bullitt's future.

    People close to the talks said that an auction of Bullitt, which had been triggered by a large volume of unsold inventory, had resulted in a proposal led by the BGF, an existing shareholder in the business, and the company's co-founders.

    If concluded, the deal would crystallise a rare disappointment for Exponent, which has seen each of its funds make impressive returns for investors since the firm was set up more than a decade ago.

    So, As I understand it - Exponent have pulled out, this was the backer we talked about in last month’s podcast, who pulled out at the 11th hour.

    And in conversations I have had with our contacts at Bullitt stated finance was being negotiated and it sounds like this is referring to the funding from BGF (Business Growth fund). The business growth fund was set up after the financial crisis and fingers crossed it can play a big roll in Bullitt’s future going forward.

    BGF is an equity investor in the UK and Ireland that provides long-term, minority investment and value creation support to growing companies, it was set up.

    So, let’s see what the future brings.

    We were under the understanding that customers would be notified if anything was to change, but to date nobody has received any notifications, so no news is good news.

    Motorola – they have not been discussed yet, what did you find out Andy with regard to this.

    I am personally very disappointed by the scaremongering that has been online, as I said last time our thoughts have to be with all the staff at Bullitt around the world, who I know have worked very hard on this product and the other products they produce.

    Read the full regard to what is going on with Bullitt online here

    2. TwoNav – a breath of fresh air

    Lots of SatMap users upgrading – it is a SatMap on steroids

    We have put 75 units bicycles in UK, Spain and Italy for a cycle tour operator we work with

    We ended up stocking x 3 models –

    Cross Plus
    Terra
    Aventurer 2 Plus

    Software update – last week

    To find out more please go to our website – GPSTraining.co.uk > GPS Store > Handheld GPS units

    OR – GPSTraining.co.uk > Reviews > TwoNav – a breath of fresh air

    Now 2 x walk and talk videos for the unit –

    TwoNav Terra

    TwoNav Aventurer 2 Plus 


    3. Mountain rescue teams - PSGA map cards – Garmin users

    Pleased to announce

    GPS Training is now an official distributor of PSGA map cards.

    These are the map cards that Mountain Rescue teams use and they rightly get at a discounted rate when bought alongside a Garmin GPS unit.

    In the past, it was a very long-winded process for MR teams to get these, but now we can act far quicker and get the units and map cards into the hands of team members.

    This week we shipped 5 x Garmin GPSMAP67i with this map card to the Cairngorms Mountain rescue team.

    If you are a member of a mountain rescue team please get in touch and we can discuss you and your team's requirements.

     

  • TwoNav, a breath of fresh air and what is going on at Bullitt, the creators of the Motorola Defy - Satellite link

    1. TwoNav – a breath of fresh air - 2:00 minutes in

    2. What has been going on at Bullitt, the creator of the Motorola Defy – satellite link? - 33:45 minutes in

    3. Andy’s top tips - 46:51 minutes in

    1. TwoNav – a breath of fresh air

    Backstory – TwoNav has been on our radar for several years.

    6 or 7 years? OS teamed up with TwoNav to create a OS branded GPS unit.

    We bought one at that stage and within 2 weeks it was on eBay, why?

    This partnership did not work as OS do not have the expertise to build and grow this type of technology in the UK.

    So late last year TwoNav kept coming up in conversation so

    Just before Christmas, we bought 1 x of each of their models and that was our Christmas holiday sorted as we started to get to grips and understand this new manufacturer –

    TwoNav are based in Spain

    Very keen to listen to feedback and build on what they have

    We ended up stocking x 3 models –

    TwoNav Cross Plus
    TwoNav Terra
    TwoNav Aventurer 2 Plus

    Map options available –

    Pre-loaded European maps
    1:50k
    1:25k
    1:25k, 1:50k and 1:250k on Aventurer 2 plus

    Summary –

    SatMap on steroids – clarity of screen
    Wireless transfer from phone/ tablet
    Easy to use, intuitive
    Made by someone who believes and is passionate about their product

    To find out more please go to our website – GPSTraining.co.uk > GPS Store > Handheld GPS units

    OR – GPSTraining.co.uk > Reviews > TwoNav – a breath of fresh air

     

    2. Bullitt - maker of Motorolla Defy - Satellite link

    Thursday - buy out was in place by their largest invester

    Friday - they pulled out on Friday and sadly Bullitt Group ceased trading and was handed to Lloyds as the receivers

    Article - The Verge - Key manufacturer closes down

    Motorola are the 'brand' behind Bullitt, to date no news of what they are wanting to do with regard to Bullitt going forward.

    The founders of Bullitt have personally put money in place so subscribers can continue with their current service for at least the next month.

    Bullitt are going to email customers to update them on what is going to happen, but to date nothing sent which has to be good news.

    Good luck for the future of all the staff at Bullitt, the team here at GPS Training are thinking of you and your families

    3. Top Tips - on using an outdoor GOPS unit/ watch

    TwoNav - Backlight 50% rather than Auto – Main Menu – Settings – System – Display & Brightness – Auto Brightness off – slide bar 50%

    Shutdown screen we have 30 seconds can change never and use single tap power button to take screen on & off

    Garmin Epix – Fenix 7 – Disable Lap button easier when using device with touch screen on and on map page to come back out

    Top right Button select Activity – Middle left button Hike Settings etc – scroll down – Lap key off

     

  • In this New Year’s Day Podcast, we look back on 2023 and ahead to 2024.

    - The year that was 2023

    January

    February - Motorola Defy - Satellite link launched
    March - eTrex SE launched
    April - Coros watches
    May - GPSMAP67/ 67i
    June - Fenix 7 Pro launch - New Epix - Powerglass, improved power glass, new HR monitor, flashlight and updated statsSpine Challenge Race
    December - Solar-powered eTrex

     

    - Looking forward to 2024 – what would we like to see

    Solar-powered GPS units
    Two-Nav
    Spine race
    BaseCamp/ apps

     

  • The all-new eTrex solar and live tracking on the Motorola Defy - Satellite Link

    In this month’s podcast –

    1. After we discussed the Garmin eTrex SE last month Garmin released the eTrex solar last month, the first solar powered GPS unit

    2. Nationwide GPS courses for 2024

    3. Live tracking – Motorola Defy – Satellite link – Beta resting and our thoughts

    4. Al Pepper – our first ‘Ambassador’

    5. We then have Andy’s top tips

    1. Garmin eTrex solar

    After we have had the Garmin inReach SE for a 8 months it is great to see this updated version, the first-ever Outdoor GPS unit which has a solar panel - Garmin eTrex Solar

    Solar Charging -With the addition of solar charging also gives us the ability to now have a built in lithium battery, which will give you unlimited battery life in sunny conditions (75,000 lux) or upto 100 hours when using GNSS and multi-band tracking.

    Multiband satellite network, new addition for the Garmin eTrex Solar - This all new multi-band GPS gives you access to multiple frequencies sent by navigation satellites which gives you improved positional accuracy.

    Live Geocaching on the Garmin eTrex Solar – With the Garmin eTrex Solar you now get automatic cache updates from Geocaching live, including descriptions, logs and hints. When connected to the Garmin Explore app, each find will upload to your geocaching.com profile.

    Garmin Explore app alongside the Garmin eTrex Solar - You can connect the Garmin eTrex Solar to the Garmin Explore app, once connected you can undertake wireless software updates, get access to cloud storage, plan trips, get smart notifications and access additional mapping.

    Live weather - When connected to the Garmin Explore app you can get real-time forecast information, so you're aware of any changing conditions.

    To read an indepth review on the Garmin eTrex Solar go to GpsTraining.co.uk > Product Reviews > Unboxing and first review




    2. Nationwide GPS courses - 2024

    All our course dates for next year are now online

    Our course prices go up in price on Friday 22nd December – so please get yourself booked on before then.



    If you want to find out more about our GPS courses please go to our website > GpsTraining.co.uk > GPS Training Course


    3. Live tracking – Motorola Defy -

    Andy has been Beta testing the new live tracking feature for the Motorola Defy – satellite link

    It has been on the Bullit app for some time now, but it does not function

    Watch Live tracking - Beta testing - Motorola Defy - Satellite Link 


    4. All Pepper – our first Ambassador

    Over the coming months you will be seeing/ hearing lots about Al.

    Who is is –

    YouTube Vlogger – We first came across him on the Cheviot Challenge
    Posted a video after he, his dad and uncle participated in it – Tracy and Katherine appeared in the video as he approached one of the summits.
    He is an ultra-runner from the NE

    On one of the videos, where he competed in a Yorkshire Dales Three Peaks ultra he struggled a little bit with regard to navigation to I reached out to him.

    After a number of phone calls he is our first-ever – Ambassador

    You cannot fail to like hem, really nice guy.

    He mentions us lots now in his videos and I will collate a number of these in a news article some time before Christmas.

    Al Pepper runs - watch him on YouTube

     

    5. Andy’s Top Tips

    Garmin Explore App – after importing (+ from Map) or open GPX with Explore – find transfer better if convert to course
    Go into Collection folder – 2 x Drawing pin icon route, curved line course, footprint track, after selecting track or route select 3 x red dots top right – copy as course then select track or route – 3 red dots delete

    Garmin Connect you can now convert activity to course to navigate with –

    More – Activities – all activities etc – select activity – 3 white dots top right save to my courses

    Add courses to bottom tabs – Select More bottom right – select Edit top rig...

  • Garmin eTrex SE, 7 months on, GPS in the Hills and which app should you be using?

    The big 90, that not bad going.

    In this month’s podcast –

    1. eTrex SE – 7 months on

    2. GPS in the Hills – last course this/ last weekend – what is this course all about?

    3. BaseCamp, connect, explore - which and for what scenarios – When using alongside a Garmin handheld unit?

    4. We then have Andy’s top tips

    - Garmin eTrex SE – 7 months on

    The Garmin eTrerx SE was launched on the 14th March, in the same day the Garmin GPSMAP 67/ 67i was launched

    Price - £149.99

    To read an indepth review on the Garmin eTrex SE go to GpsTraining.co.uk > Product Reviews > Garmin eTrex SE Review



    - GPS in the hills course – what is this?

    You may have seen this on our website/ newsletters

    For those who have been on our two-day Garmin GPS Training course.

    £158.00 on website, but if you have been on a course you get a discount code making it half-priced - £79.00

    What do we cover on this day-long course

    Week leading upto course

    - Planning over Zoom – week leading upto course

    On the day - straight out onto the hill -

    - Following the pre-planned route

    - Looking at the different navigational experiences for a route, track, and course

    - Trackback - we will do a trackback taking us back the way we came

    - Creating a route directly on the unit

    - Managing an emergency situation - what options do we have and how are we going to approach this

    - Changing the ‘pre-planned’ plans - what options do we have and how we do this

    - Navigating in the dark, how to set up our GPS units

    This will all be delivered during an 8 - 12 mile walk (depending on elevation climbed) and only people who have been on our 2-day course will be invited onto the course.

    South Downs – 4th October 2024
    Lakes – 18th October 2024
    Northumberland – 26th October 2024



    If you want to find out more about our GPS courses please go to our website > GpsTraining.co.uk > GPS Training Course

    - BaseCamp, Connect, Explore - which and for what scenarios – When using alongside a Garmin handheld unit?

    Garmin BaseCamp

    Garmin Connect

    Garmin Explore

     

    - Andy’s Top Tips

    Explore App – Convert imported GPX files from track or route to a course before syncing – syncs quicker and seems to be more reliable when syncing
    2 X Drawing pin icon - Route
    Footprint icon -Track
    Curved line – Course
    3 x Red dots top right screen – copy as course, go back to track or route 3 x red dots top right select delete
    Remember Find / Spy Glass Course

    GPSMap65s – Pause Track – in theory you cannot or can you?

    - When you are just about to go into a building and want to stop the recording - press your menu button twice to goto main menu

    - Select Setup

    - Select System

    - Select Satellite System - changed from Muliti-GNSS to DEMO

    - When you come out of the building and standing where your changed satellite to Demo - repeat the process and change Satellite back to Multi-GNSS

  • 1:25k maps options and the Garmin GPSMAP67 series - 7 months on.

    In this months podcast -

    1. Advantages of 1:25k maps – 1 week left of map deal

    2. GPSMAP 67/ 67i – 7 months in – our thoughts

    3. Using a headtorch with a GPS unit, as the nights draw in

    4. We then have Andy’s top tips


    1. Advantages of 1:25k maps – 1 week left of map deal

    Half-priced 1:25k map card with selected units – Offer ends 8th October

    - Garmin GPSMAP 67/ 67i
    - Garmin Montana 700/ 700i

    Garmin led promotion – £175.00 saving as normally £349.99

    Differences between 1:50k maps and 1:25k maps

    If you want to find out more about the Garmin GPSMAP 67 series and Montana 700 series map card offer please go to GPSTraining.co.uk > GPS Store > GPS Units

     

    2. GPSMAP 67/ 67i – 7 months in – our thoughts

    If you want to find out more about the Garmin GPSMAP 67 series please go to GPSTraining.co.uk > GPS Store > GPS Units



    3. Andy’s Top Tips

     

  • Limited edition Coros Apex 2 Pro Chamonix Edition, New series on YouTube, map options and Andy's top tips

    In this month’s podcast –

    1. The new limited edition Coros Apex 2 Pro Chamonix Edition – GPS Watch

    2. The new series on YouTube – FAQ’s

    3. Map options available for an Outdoor GPS unit and the pros/ cons of each

    4. We then have Andy’s top tips


    The new limited edition Coros Apex 2 Pro Chamonix Edition – GPS Watch
    It must be good as Andy’s bought himself one and even my wife likes it!

    - What is the Coros Apex 2?

    There has been a large software update in the past week which includes turn by turn routing and the ability to put a picture/ logo on the watch screen, anything else? Sign up to Beta on www.coros.com select Support – software updates – august beta updates for signup instructions.

    - Turn-by-Turn Navigation - *BETA ONLY

    Turn-by-Turn Navigation is available for you to test on your compatible COROS watch, helping you navigate with confidence wherever you are. Save any route in the COROS app and sync it directly to your watch to be notified of upcoming turns on your route automatically.

    There will be a limited number of available testing slots based on the workload our support/product teams can handle (~500 users).

    We expect the public beta to run 3-6 months, and once it is ready we will push to all global users with an update.

    - Create Your Own Watch Face

    Elevate your look with the COROS app. Go analog, or digital. Pick a personal photo or choose from our collection.

    - Statistics Summary Page

    Maximize your training insights, choose a date range, filter by activity type, and quickly view your Threshold Heart Rate Zone Distribution to ensure your training was where you intended it.

    - Workout

    Create a workout for your trail runs, including setting elevation gain as a target goal.

    - New Watermark Image Sharing

    Share your achievements and motivate others with new customizable watermark images. Upload a personal photo and overlay your training data for a quick visual summary of your workout.

    - Even More Updates

    Easier Route Sharing: Share and send routes to others over text messages and social media. Select the link to open the route and view data like elevation, distance, waypoints, and more.

    - Accessible RHR Data: Resting Heart Rate during the day will now be predicted based on sleep heart rate, which will provide an automatic way to get your RHR data.

    - Favorite Locations: Create favorite Locations on the Explore page for quick access when creating new routes. Before drawing a route, click the location and edit and name the location directly.

    - Merge points on custom routes: Merge "start" and "end" points on your routes created on the Explore page. Merge the points in the upper right corner to the left of the bottom button.

    - WiFi: Improved Wifi connection to speed up the installation of firmware updates.

    - Extended Activity Recording option: Previously, the longest activity you could record was 200 hours. Additionally, that was the maximum number of hours users could record on their watch before syncing to the COROS App. This has been extended to 1200 hours.

    - What is the Chamonix Edition, and how is it different?

    Limited release 3000 x units worldwide

    If you aspire to train hard and move fast outdoors, there's no more iconic base than Chamonix. The spiritual home of trail running and gateway to the epic terrain of Mont Blanc, this special edition APEX 2 Pro celebrates one of the greatest places on earth to train and trail-blaze.

    ALPINE INSPIRED COLORS

    Far from the green that dominates the lower slopes, the blue and grey colors echo Mont Blanc's high elevations where rock and glacier meet the piercing sky.

    - Price - £448.00

    - Walk and talk on the Coros Apex 2 – next Wednesday – 6th September, I take the watch for a 20-mile walk in the Cheviot Hills

    - We have both become big fans of the Coros Apex 2 range of watc...

  • Our thoughts on Motorola Defy - Satellite Link, Coros watches and Andy's top tips

    In this month’s podcast –

    With the Motorola defy – Satellite Link being with us for a couple of months now we talk more in-depth about everybody experience with this all-new two-way satellite communicator
    We have an in-depth chat about the Coros range of GPS watches
    We then have Andy’s top tips

    - Motorola Defy – Satellite Link

    It has been with us for a couple of months now, what is it?

    Key features –

    Price
    Price of contracts
    Does not use Iridium satellites – always logged on (high orbit satellites, always same place in sky

    What makes it different to existing products – Garmin Messenger, inReach mini 2, Zoleo

    We have just 117 to date. (as of 1 hour ago), what are people's thoughts Andy?

    I have never seen a product sell the way it has.

    If you want to find out more please go to GPSTraining.co.uk > GPS Store > Two-way satellite communicator


            - Coros Watches


    Coros Apex or Coros Apex 2 Pro – what are the differences

    If you want to find out more please go to GPSTraining.co.uk > GPS Store > GPS Watches


    -  Andy’s Top Tips

  • The Spine Challenger race - Post-event catch-up.

    As both Andy and I competed in it and we both have our own stories from the event we thought it best to bring in a guest presenter this month.

    And this is Jane, my long-suffering wife, who also has her own Spine story after spending lots of time in the area, both when I was personally out doing my recce’s of the route and also running around, dropping off, dot watching and just like Andy and myself getting very little sleep during the event itself.

    If you have not already done so, please go back and listen to last month’s podcast, when we had our pre-event chat, if you are looking for the ‘back story’.

    If you can support us -

    Jon - https://www.justgiving.com/team/jonspine

    Andy - https://www.justgiving.com/team/andyayrespinechallenger

     

    So, if people don’t know Andy, what is the Summer Spine Challenger South race?

    108 miles in total

    60 hours to complete

    Total Ascent: 5451 metres, 17,883 feet
    1 checkpoint (Hebdon Bridge) – 46 miles
    Soft checkpoint (1.5) (Malham Tarn) – 84.5 miles

    How far to did each of you get?
    - Andy

    - Jon

    Let’s go all the way back to the start, we actually the day before – Registration – kit check – Friday afternoon, day before the event

    - Kit check

    - tracker – received the Saturday morning

    - Race number

    4. Race morning – Start to CP1 (Hebdon Bridge) – 46 miles

    - Progress

    - Difficulty

    - Weather

    - How did each of you manage – highs/ lows/ speed/ difficulty

    - Time arrived – CP1 – what did you do at CP and what time did you get away?

    - Jon
    - Andy

    CP1 – CP 1.5 – 46 miles to 84.5 miles (38.5 miles leg)

    - Andy, take us through the xx miles from CP1, how did you feel initially, when did things start taking a turn for the worse?

    - Nausea – when did this start Andy?
    What where you feeling
    - Andy reached – Lothersdale – Mileage 64 miles ish – Time ??

    Talk me through those 20 miles from CP1 to Lothersdale?

    How did you get back and where did you get back to.

    Jon, you hooked up with x 3 walkers coming out of CP1, was this planned? I know you where still with them when I met you at xxx yyy
    Weather leaving CP1
    Daylight
    Feet
    I met you at Lothersdale, a little bit of a Father’s Day surprise?
    Your next stop was Gargrave (74 miles in – 28 miles into day 2), I know this was a key point to get to as it was one of the few places you could stock up with supplies – Co-op


    Then I met you again at Malham – 83.5 miles

     

    Weather was a little different than the last time we walked that section, was the Ice Cream van there?

     

    CP1.5 – Malham Tarn

    - Rain

    - I was hoping to sleep just after CP1.5, but with the weather I decided to push on

     

    Fountains Fell – tent, started to hallucinate.
    Dropped down to Rainscar road – just before climb up to Peny-y-Ghent
    Slept – 12.30 – 1.00 am
    Pen-y-Ghent summit – 2.00 am

     

    Horton in Ribblesdale – 4.20 am – leader overtook me at 4.00 am – official footage from the Spine Race

     

    Finish 12.04 – Hardraw, just past Hawes

  • The Spine Challenger race - Special mid-month podcast

    If you can support us -

    Jon - https://www.justgiving.com/team/jonspine

    Andy - https://www.justgiving.com/team/andyayrespinechallenger

    In this special ‘mid-month’ podcast we are going to look ahead to the Spine Challenger Race, which starts on Saturday 17th June.

    As many of you may know Andy completed 95ish miles of this event last year, he is back again to ‘finish what he started last year’, and I will be also participating in this event.

    Therefore, you are going to listen in on our pre event chat, as I try and prize Andy’s expertise from him and learn from the lessons he learnt from participating in last year’s event.

    Podcast 72 – Andy’s pre-walk interview

    Podcast 74 – Andy’s post-walk podcast

     

    So, if people don’t know Andy, what is the Summer Spine Challenger South race?60 hours to complete?


    108 miles in total?

    Total Ascent: 5451 metres

    Total Descent: 5449 metres

     

    Other events taking place over the same period -- Sprint race – Edale to Hebdon Bridge – 46 miles

    18 hours to complete

    Total Ascent: 2017 metres
    Total Descent: 2033 metres

    - Summer Spine Challenger North – Hardraw – Kirk Yetholm -  160 miles

    Time Limit: 96 hours

    Total Ascent: 5,290 metres

    Total Descent: 5,591 metres

    - Full Spine race – Edale to Kirk Yetholm -
    Start: Edale, Derbyshire, UK
    Finish: Kirk Yetholm, Scottish Borders

    Distance: 268 miles

    Time Limit: 156 hours

    Finish Time: 20:00 June 24th 2023

    Total Ascent: 10,732 metres

    Total Descent: 10,941 metres

    Spine Challenger walk - 108 miles

    Checkpoint 1 – 46 miles – Hebdon Bridge

    Soft checkpoint – Malham Tarn – 84 miles

    What are you going to do differently this time? Lessons learnt?

    What did you mainly navigate with – GPS Unit, watch, map?

    Hardest part of the course?

    What have you learnt about your body?

    What have you learnt about your kit, anything different this time?

    Registration

    Live tracking

    Many thanks for joining me on this special ‘mid-month’ GPS Training podcast