[the wind]

I thought that getting lost was all part of the fun ? ?

i try and get lost in smokies,lots of good roads.
still use paper maps l

[il_ragazzo]

well considering that i don't use gps i keep a few things in mind....

1. the sun... it rises in the east and sets in the west.

2. moss generally grows on the northern side of trees and rocks ( northern hemisphere above the 49th lateral, or southern hemisphere around the same (-)latitude.)

3. north star is is less than 3/4 of a degree of the northern celestial pole.

4. ( in california ) clouds often move from west to east. find out the local weather by checking the forcast before you leave.

5. in urban areas the ****ty part of town is often the furthest away from the water.

6. also if your looking for the ****ty part of town. follow the trail of rail roads, spray paint , and liquor stores.

Very good replies. If you're really really lost and need to navigate the old fashioned way, and there are no people around (how likely is that) here's what you do.

For the northern hemisphere people, you wait until dark, then find the North Star, Polaris. Determine the angle of Polaris above the horizon (or horizontal if you can't find the horizon). That is your Latitude. If you don't have an octant, you can get creative with ways to find an angle, and then use your compass wheel to find the value of the angle. Using sticks and string to sight Polaris you find that it is 40 degrees above the horizon. Your Latitude is 40 degrees North.

Now take a nap. Feel free to sleep in.

At noon the next day (by the sun, not your watch), mark the time on your watch. Since there are 360 degrees of Longitude and 24 hours in a day, the earth will spin 15 degrees per hour. Let's say your watch is set to Eastern time and reads 12:34 at local noon. GMT, is 5 hours ahead, so it is 5:34 PM GMT. So, your longitude is 5 x 15 = 75 degrees 34/60 x 15 = 8.5 75+8.5 = 83.5 Degrees West.

So you are 40 degrees North 83.5 Degrees West. You now know exactly where you are and using your compass and map you can find out which direction will lead you towards civilization.

^Epic!

No, you still have no clue where you are as most maps aren't marked with lat/long.
If you a map, all you have to do is figure out what road you're on, then assuming no sun, find two cross streets or identifiable locations on a map, to figure out which direction is which.

I mean, seriously, you're going to spend a freaking day to figure out where you are??? Even if I'm in the middle of the freaking woods with no trails, I'm not going to go to those lengths to figure out where I am. With a compass, a topo map, and a couple landmarks, I can tell you where I am in just a few minutes. I don't need no freakin' sextant.

Agreed

dirt roads are a hole other subject though.... one which atomonkey is prepared for...

[turboer]

If you have a compass, a watch, and a map you could get Meguiver and build another GPS !

[Kreylyn]

If you have a compass, a watch, and a map you could get Meguiver and build another GPS !

Krey

[turboer]

Krey

Awesome! I totally butchered that spelling! But man that mullet is sick!

[Irish]

thats for women...

lmao

[1FSTKAT]

I never get lost. Temporarily off course, yes. But never lost. Must be because I am a man and we have a sense of direction.

[JIB]

well considering that i don't use gps i keep a few things in mind....

1. the sun... it rises in the east and sets in the west.

2. moss generally grows on the northern side of trees and rocks ( northern hemisphere above the 49th lateral, or southern hemisphere around the same (-)latitude.)

3. north star is is less than 3/4 of a degree of the northern celestial pole.

4. ( in california ) clouds often move from west to east. find out the local weather by checking the forcast before you leave.

5. in urban areas the ****ty part of town is often the furthest away from the water.

6. also if your looking for the ****ty part of town. follow the trail of rail roads, spray paint , and liquor stores.

Yup, use this stuff. Look at the sun and figure out what general direction you want, then ride till you find a familiar highway.

[Caveman]

Your never lost til you run low on gas... Until then it's just part of the fun!

[Bloodsugar]

I thought that getting lost was all part of the fun ? ?

ditto - you guys are all doing it wrong. Getting lost IS part of the fun. I've had some of the best rides and seen some of the best scenery while completely lost. You not really in trouble until you do stop to ask for directions and someone says, "You can't get there from here".

[Psycho1]

I can memorize my entire route (for the most part) for a cross country trip before leaving home. I usually don't have a problem with remembering my route traveled from one gas stop to the next. I generally have a final destination in mind before heading to unfamiliar areas of the country, so even if I am not on a planned route, I still know where I am. Never lost, just taking the less travelled scenic route.

[chrisgreer23]

Find someone to sell the map, compass and watch so you can buy a bus ticket home.

[cybrnathan]

Moss grows on the South side of a Yamaha

[chrisgreer23]

Moss grows on the South side of a Yamaha

Nice one. Hope your enjoying the new bike