I like to look for the arrows painted on the road, white for 100k, yellow for 100 miles.

But how do those road-painting guys know where you started?

We all start at the same place, at around 07:00, usually. That's why it's fun.

I went to a ride this past weekend in Tallahassee where I met I. M. Bent, I didn't think the roads were very well marked, in fact I think someone missed a turn and extended their ride a bit, but with the map, cue sheet and my Vista I didn't miss any. It came in real handy. Another great thing about the GPS is the compass. When something just doesn't seem right and you have a map to orient yourself to then the compass confirms it.
Of course, when touring it is all about the journey and not the destination so sometimes being a bit, shall we say, "off course," only adds to the adventure. I don't use it a whole lot when I ride around my local area but, "I don't leave home without it"! Hmmmm....seems like I heard that somewhere before...

I was in Target yesterday, just walking around in between errands I combine with my morning weekend rides.

I was in the sporting goods department and noticed that they had the discontinued Garmin eTrex Legend® on clearance for $105 (usually it's $159). I had a $30 gift card in my wallet so I thought "what the heck."

I'd always thought that GPS units were pretty frivolous toys, but this one is pretty neat. One of the keys is that I probably will not have to buy another bike computer as long have it; with WAAS enabled it is accurate enough.

Another thing is that I will now be able to tell the change in elevation of my rides in the Phoenix flat-as-a-pancake area. I've discovered that Google maps are pretty worthless as far as their elevation accuracy goes for the metro Phoenix area; some of their numbers are between 20 to 50 feet off. I put the Legend down on a few bench marks I know and was pretty surprised to see the accuracy within two feet.

BluesCat
Get the handlebar mount that it clips into and you are set to go. I use mine all the time just to know how far etc. Keep an eye on your batteries. I have had them go on me during rides. I always forget to check their condition.
rocket man

Thanks, rocket man.

Yeah, I noticed the "18 hour on two AA's" and figured I'd probably get around 12 hours if I'm lucky. I'll just put a couple new ones in the seat bag on the EZ Sport.

GPS GPS Gee I still use a slide rule once in a while. Really I do, it confounds my high tech sons, and it doesnt take batteries.

richard: HA! Yeah, I still use a paper organizer; have never lost a phone number.

I'd really like one of those huge slide rules they used to have in science class. Remember: you still had tick marks, and wouldn't have to interpolate, down to 0.001?

Blues

Well in my science classes in the early-middle '50s we didnt have one. But my sons highschool had one in the science room. It was huge. And you are right, it would really make a good conversation piece if hung in the family room. Btw I really do use mine, I keep one in both cars to figure gas mileage.