GMap Pedometer

Back from a long hiatus...here is a site that has become one of my favorites: GMap Pedometer.  This one is awesome for the athletic crowd of walkers and runners and bikers who go out for a workout, and later wonder "Just how far did I go?"

www.gmap-pedometer.com

Built on the Google Maps platform, the GMap Pedometer allows you to plot a route along roads or pedestrian trails.  The Pedometer automatically follows the contour of the road/trail for you and calculates the distance, inserting mile markers along the way.  This is great if you need to plan, for example, an 8 mile workout, like I did below in my hometown of Grand Rapids, Michigan.  All you have to do is start double-clicking points along your route.

To try it:

• Go to http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/
• In the upper left, fill in the Jump To field with your city and state.  (For example, Grand Rapids, MI).  Then click the Go button.
• Use the Google Maps controls (along the right) to zoom in if needed.  Just like Google Maps, you can drag the map around too, if needed.
• Click the Start Recording button to start a route.
• Double-click all the points along your route.
• As you double-click, the pedometer will automatically calculate the distance in the upper left.
• If you are building an out-and-back route, you can even use the Complete there and back route link.  Once at the outermost point of your route, just click that button and the Pedometer automatically doubles-back the route to your starting point.

One other very cool feature is the Elevation options. In the leftmost box, look for the Elevation links.  Clicking them allows you to see the elevation changes along a route, particularly helpful if you have some hill workouts planned and want to brag about the terrain you just conquered.  

GMap Pedometer is a fun, free, easy-to-use, no-registration-required program which allows you to try some new courses without the hassle of driving your car along the same route to track the mileage.  Try it out, and let me know what you think.