The newest version of the Google Earth desktop application software allows you to visualize your hiking, biking, and running routes. Since Google Earth version 5.0, you could connect your GPS device directly to Google Earth. This latest update brings the ability to view elevation, speed, and other data from your outings as a graph directly in Google Earth. From the Google Earth Blog,

Just connect your GPS device to upload your track, and select “View Elevation Profile” from the menu. This will bring up elevation and speed graphs. If your GPS device records additional information such as heart rate or cadence, these will also be available to view in the graph. You can also see statistics such as total elevation, maximum slope, and average speed. You can select a portion of your ride and get statistics for just that section.

Some may bristle at the idea of being connected all the time, even when out hiking in nature. It’s true; sometimes you just want to unplug and get away from all the devices, emails, and modern distractions. I don’t think I would use this for a hiking and camping trip out in the woods with friends but I can definitely see it coming in handy for measuring and recording the many running routes I ply around Washington D.C. The increasing number of people biking to work will also find it convenient and rewarding to easily measure their routes to see how much exercise they are getting. The prospects really become interesting when someone creates an app that measures heart rate and the like to give you specifics on calories burned. In fact, Run Keeper is one app that does a pretty good job of this already. It would be really cool to see an app measure, say, the amount of CO2 saved by someone’s biking to work instead of driving. You could watch the amount saved the farther you pedal. It would also come in handy when on business trips or vacation. When running and biking in unfamiliar territory, it would be great to see the route, elevation, and speed of workouts no matter where you wind up doing them. Like the bus locator GPS services, this is another way the digital revolution and second green revolution are combining to produce dramatic new tools for enjoying our lives while moving toward sustainable living.