As you know if you’ve been reading along, I’m on a mission: To get as many people as possible riding up here in the Catskills.

And as you will also know if you’ve been reading along, my Garmin 800 was destroyed after riding in the rain. Why Garmin can’t make a device that stands up to the rain, I don’t know. I’m giving it to a friend who is going to have it fixed.

In the meantime, however, I bought a Garmin 810…and just before it arrived, I received another Garmin 800 as a gift. It sounds complicated, I know, but the upshot is that I have an extra Garmin 800 now that’s unreturnable. I thought about regifting it, but then I had an idea.

Here’s your chance to win a Garmin 800 (first place) or a set of your choice of Grand Bois tires (second place) (Stand by for an update, though, there may be more prizes coming). The Garmin is the base model, so you’ll need to get a card with the maps, or just buy an SD card and download Open Maps.

Here’s the contest:

• Design a route in Ride With GPS* of 50 to 200 miles in Ulster, Greene, or Delaware Counties (or use one of mine). One-day rides only. Camping trips are nice, but not what I’m looking for.
• Ride that route
• Send me at least 500 well-written words, at least 5 pictures, a map generated on Ride WIth GPS, and a link to the route, all of which will be posted as a guest post on my blog under your name or a pseudonym of your choice
• Profit

You do not have to tell me why you want or deserve the Garmin. I don’t care, I just want to get people riding up here.

The contest is open to anyone who does not live in Ulster, Greene, or Delaware counties (yeah, I’m aware there could be cheating, and there’s nothing I can do about it. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t, though).

Here’s how you will be judged, in order of importance:

1. Good story, well written. I reserve the right to edit.
2. Great pictures
3. Great route
4. Distance On second thought, let’s call this category “adventure.” Your ride can be anywhere between 50 and 200 miles, but back roads, mountains, and gravel are a big plus. Sorry for changing the rules–on reflection, I don’t want people riding 200 miles who aren’t ready for it!
5. Public transport (use the train if you can)

A few edits: I don’t care how fast you go. Just enjoy yourself! Also, no organized events, please.

The contest runs from right now until September 30. I’m betting I get less than 10 entries, so you’ve got a great chance of winning. Enter as many times as you like!

Entries will be judged by me alone, on purely subjective criteria. And I hate to say this, but keep in mind that I am not liable for any injury that results from entering this contest.

*Just FYI, Ride With GPS also generates cue sheets, so you don’t need a GPS to use it.

John

medicalwriter.net