DirectUpload of Traces from JOSM

The title says it all. I don't know how long it's been there, but its only today that i tested this awesome JOSM "DirectUpload" plugin.

Before, i had to do it the long way: log into openstreetmap.org, click GPS Traces, invoke 'just see your traces', then browse the track then a few clicks more. Whew, it only now i realized how difficult things have been.

Now, its a lot better. In fact, its already a breeze. Open JOSM, open traces, then directly upload. Once done, download tiles and work on the map.

Here's a screenshot:


Remarks: the indicator on the top-right wasn't intentional :)

Bulalacao to San Jose, Occidental Mindoro

An aircon bus transport from San Jose, Occidental Mindoro to Batangas is already available. Thanks to the newly developed national road slicing Occidental and Oriental Mindoro thru Bulalacao, which eventually connect to the RoRo highway of Roxas.

I remember my first time to travel to this far place (that was 12 yrs ago). Its like travelling to hell, hundreds of kilometers of rough road, some compacted, some loose. Those were the days.

Here is the bare connection prior to map revision:


And here is what it looks now:

New NLEX to Mindanao Ave Tollway Exit

Yesterday was special, i woke up early even though i slept late. Why? I wanted to gather a gps track over the newly opened highway. Three days ago i read in the OSM talk-ph mail-list about this, and seav (he's one of the pioneers and pillars of OSM) raised the bar when he said no other online map makers have this on their folds yet. So I went out with my mountain bike, only to be surprised that the toll booth is right at the interconnection with Mindanao Ave (well i was expecting that the booth will be same as the others, and that it is located right at the foot of NLEX, and that i can ride from Mindanao Ave to Valenzuela like what i can do from Bagbaguin Road to Maysan Road). Nevertheless, i scouted the roads near its perimeter fences, especially those laid over by the huge highway, and how they were rerouted.

Here is how OSM map looks like saturday night:


Yesterday was special, its my first time to spend a cent for OSM. Since in the morning i wasn't allowed to enter the highway with my mtb, i had no choice but to drive my car along it. After my dinner date with my family, we all took a stroll. Since it is sunday and a bit late already, just a few cars are plying it. So my 72 pesos only lasted for barely 10mins (we made a u-turn at malinta exit). Since the race to map it first is still on, i immediately uploaded and traced the tracks when i got home. So did OSM earned the bragging right as the first one who published this new road online? This i have yet to confirm with seav and manning.

After few minutes of JOSM-ing, this is how it looks now:


Displayed at the toll booth, this is how the final intersection will look like:


Yesterday was special, because it was my birthday!

New LaMesa Trail

Yesterday i had to chance to ride along the awesome Smart guys, thanks to Harold for the invite. We initially (and jokingly) targeted Tower 1 as our destination. I know the group isn't mentally prepared for that challenge so i suggested to take the lakeside route first. This way our first timer guest (thats Neil) can enjoy the lush greenery and beauty of the lake side trail.

I was expecting the usual route, but was surprised when we took a new route (or at least that's new to me). Here is a screenshot of the old route:


Using my reliable TrekBuddy on Nokia 6700, i logged the rest of the ride. Here is what it looks now:


Enjoy the great new track ride buddies!