CYCLISTS SET TO BECOME THE FIRST TO BE TRACKED FROM END TO END IN REAL-TIME
Written by SimplyTrak
06 June 2007
Two cyclists hope to become the first to be satellite-tracked in real-time, for the entire 975 mile journey from Land’s End to John O’Groats.
Two cyclists from Reading, Berkshire, are expected to set off from Land’s End on June 9th with the aim of cycling the entire length of Britain while being satellite tracked every minute of their entire 14-day trip.
Olympic distance triathlete, Tony Stevens and fellow cyclist Steve Young, will be carrying GPS tracking devices for their 950 mile journey – allowing anyone, including their sponsors, to monitor their progress via the internet.
The duo are hoping to raise funds for the Royal Berkshire Hospital’s Loddon Ward, and the Bishopswood School for Disabled Children in Reading, Berkshire.
The handheld tracking devices will use satellite and GPRS technology to transmit their location in real time. The cyclists will also use the devices to communicate directly with their mobile support crew and should they encounter a problem, rely on the device’s security features such as SOS alerts or ‘man-down’ notification alerts. The trackers will also automatically notify their family, friends and sponsors by text message when they come within range of their final destination, John O’Groats, on 22nd June.
Richard Frykman, a Director of SimplyTrak - the cyclists sponsor and tracking service provider - said, “We are delighted to sponsor Steve and Tony especially given that their causes are very relevant to the technology being used.”
Many organizations and local authorities are now turning to personal GPS tracking devices as a way to monitor and protect their staff, in particular, lone workers. Nowhere is this more evident than in the healthcare sector where recent studies have shown an alarming rise in the number of attacks on care workers who are often exposed to highly emotional, unpredictable or aggressive persons. Similarly, many parents are also turning to GPS tracking technology to keep tabs on their children.
Readers can track the cyclists progress on the internet by visiting www.simplytrak.com.
GISuser Feature Articles
Top iPhone related GIS and Geo Tech news stories from 2009 - At the end of the year its always interesting for us to look at some of the stats and results to identify trends and more important, to see what our readers think is hot! In the "news" category it seems that iPhone related geo tech items were extremely popular.
Geo Social Location Checkin to Twitter from iPhone - With the cool SXSW event taking place Austin, TX, everyone who's anyone in social and social location seems to have rolled out updates this week, making your choice for how to check-in to your social media bookmarks even tougher to decide on!
10 Awesome GIS and Mapping apps for the iPhone - I recall last year at the ESRI UC when an iPhone was on stage showing a prototype app (think ArcPad on iPhone). It was then that I realized the iPhone platform is going to be BIG in mapping and there's a ton of opportunity for developers.
Nokia Booklet 3G, unboxing video and image gallery... Those of you in the USA who pop in to BestBuy occasionally, you may have seen a stand showing off the Nokia Booklet 3G. A sleek, 3G enabled, SIM slot (AT&T) sporting netbook.
Interesting Tweeple - 10 Geo Technology & Geo-Social Women of Twitter - given the growing love for geospatial and location-aware technologies, I’ve decided to hype 10 women that I feel make a significant contribution to the Geo-Twittersphere. If you’d like to add 10 knowledgeable and useful Twitter contacts to your Geo following list I highly suggest the following: (in no particular order)
10 Geo Social Location-Aware Apps Making Waves... With Twitter's opening of their location API to developers there's going to be a ton of third party apps that will enable Twitter users to share location-aware information via their Twitter accounts.
Signs that indicate you may be a GeoGeek (aka. GeoNerd) and some suggested Geo blogs - Chances are good that if you are a Geo Geek then you already know it and likely refer to yourself as one. However, there’s many of you out there that may be on the fence and wondering… “am I a Geo Geek?" Read on for a comprehensive list of signs you might be a GeoGeek followed up by some suggested Geoblog reading.
Real-time GPS Mapping and GIS Solution Aids Efficient Disaster Management - Saturday, February 7, 2009 will forever be known as Black Saturday in the State of Victoria, Australia. In the midst of a 10-year drought, a record breaking heat wave descended upon the state, with temperatures exceeding 45 degrees C (110-120 deg F), breaking all-time record highs in some cities - Victoria Police Use Trimble Juno SC Handhelds to Speed Assessment of Damage Caused by Bush Fires.
2010 ESRI Federal User Conference February 17-19, 2010, Washington D.C. Walter E. Washington Convention Center - The FedUC is the largest geospatial conference for federal agencies. Connect with other leaders, decision makers, and GIS professionals.
The International LiDAR Mapping Forum 2010 - Tenth Anniversary Event! ILMF 2010 will be held from March 3 - 5, 2010 at the Hyatt Regency in Denver at Colorado Convention Center.
The NAVTEQ 2010 Global LBS Challenge Awards Ceremony will be held during Ignite at O'Reilly Where 2.0. Be among the first to hear as NAVTEQ announces the winners for the North America region. Participants will be competing for a global prize pool of $10 million and growing by showcasing pre-commercial location-enabled apps using NAVTEQ map data & products. March 30, 2010, during Ignite Where, 7:30pm - 9:00pm, at the Marriott San Jose, CA
WHERE2.0 2010 - Now in its sixth year, the Where 2.0 Conference is where the grassroots and leading edge developers building location-aware technology intersect with the businesses and entrepreneurs seeking out location apps, platforms, and hardware to gain a competitive edge. For 15% use Discount Code: whr10lbs
See more 
