ScottKalbach.com

Tracking and mapping your workouts using a GPS enabled smartphone

For quite a while I’ve had an interest in mapping my bike rides and hikes using a GPS device. I figured it would be pretty cool if I could do a bike ride, have the GPS keep track of my route and then use that to publish a trail review with an accurate map.

I never really spent much time looking into it though until all the hype over the Verizon Droid phone and it’s turn by turn GPS voice navigation functionality brought it back to my attention. I have a Samsung Omnia which has the Windows Mobile OS on it.

I did a few searches the other night and stumbled across this awesome free mobile application and web based service called SportyPal. Not only does it let you track your routes and map them out, but it gives you all kinds of useful workout related information like distance, vertical gain and loss, calories burned, speed, and more.

The smartphone app is very simple and lets you choose between walking, cycling, running, or roller blading. When you’re ready to start your workout you select your activity, then it syncs with the GPS satellites and you’re ready to go. After your done, hit the stop button and it asks if you want to upload it to your free SportyPal account where you can review all your workouts. It overlays your GPS tracked route over a Google powered satellite map by default and you can switch to topo/terrain or hybrid. You can also share your workouts publicly, send them to Facebook or Twitter or embed them into a blog using some embed HTML they provide.

I just used it on a short hike today to test it out. Here is the embedded version of the hike I tracked. You can click on the grey bar on the right to see the performance stats.

Scott Kalbach

Memorial Day 2009

This Memorial Day we’ll be firing up the grill and having some friends over for a meal to celebrate this great country we live in and to honor the memory of those that have died to keep us free. So many heroic Americans have sacrificed their lives in defense of this country. I’m continually amazed by the character and courage of our men and women in uniform. They really do represent the best of Americans.

With how comfortable and cushy our lives can be in this country, it’s easy to forget that our armed forces are currently fighting a war on multiple fronts. So anyways, I just wanted to take a minute to honor all those who have died in service to this country and to say thanks to those that are currently out there defending us as we speak. We’re praying for your safety and that you’ll be able to return home victorious soon!

Scott Kalbach

My Blog

Welcome to my blog. This blog will be my outlet for discussing my interests including the projects and businesses I’m involved with as well as my hobbies and the occasional political rant.

Here’s a little information about me.

First, the most important stuff. I have been happily married to my beautiful wife Jennifer for 10 years and have two wonderful sons, Lance and Nicholas. We live in Utah and fully enjoy the exceptional quality of life this state has to offer.

I am the CEO and Founder of AvantLink.com. AvantLink is a true performance based affiliate network that specializes in providing a full suite of ad tools for merchants and affiliates that you won’t find in most other networks. We focus on quality affiliates and merchants which gives us the ability to offer a high level of support and be a real partner for innovation.

I’m an avid mountain biker, hiker and snowboarder. When I’m not in the trenches building my business I’m usually out engaging in one of these activities with friends and/or family.

Scott Kalbach

skalbach -at- avantlink.com