Measuring Wheel

The calibrated bicycle method with jones counter.

1) get a jones counter;

2) tape measure a 220 yard straight;

3) mark both ends of the straight with permanent paint;

4) ride the bicyle over the straight at least 4 times;

5) record the highest number and multiply by 8 for a mile;

6) calculate the numbers for your splits;

7) ride the course and put permanent marks for the splits.

I just unroll my pen!s and it measures exactly out to 800 meters. Very useful in my line of work.

RunningPT12 wrote:

http://www.jonescounter.com

The design has changed quite a bit. Mine from the mid 1970's does not have the cogs and just turns, 20 counts for each revolution of the wheel. It is easy to read, numbers the same direction as this one, and easy to attach to the wheel. I don't care for the new design all that much, but suppose it is fine as long as it works and is durable.

The Shenandoah Valley is quite a beautiful place.

Thats good, but $125! Plus shipping!

Any way of doing it cheaper?

You can get one at Home Depot or Lowes or any of the Home supply Centers. the cheapest are around 30 bucks.

tempomarker wrote:

Thats good, but $125! Plus shipping!

Any way of doing it cheaper?

FTTF has them for $223.99!

Think about getting a Garmin?

Once again...a google challenged poster!

tempomarker wrote:

Thats good, but $125! Plus shipping!

Any way of doing it cheaper?

That is quite pricey, probably because so few are made, they are not easy to produce, and there is no competition.

Mine was $30 in the 1970's which was a lot of money at the time.

What's your job? Are the reliable?

real estate appraiser and former 222 marathoner. I measure houses and lots with it.

i use one daily in my job.... wrote:

You can get one at Home Depot or Lowes or any of the Home supply Centers. the cheapest are around 30 bucks.

This is not a bad idea. I'd recommend taking the wheel to a track to see how accurate it is or lay out a 'cal course' w/a measuring tape of at least 100 yards for the same purpose (neither of these exercises takes long). Interestingly, Garmin #'s aren't bad either provided you allow that every mile will read at least 1.01. These suggestions are okay for general accuracy of a training course. You could even use a bike w/an accurate computer...my road bike computer is pretty much right on the money ('calibrated' against monument boxes on rural roads).

For exacting accuracy and to certify a course, use the JR counter...or in my case, a more-than-20-year-old Jones counter.

It's a training course for crying out loud. Just use one of the google maps applications and see where the markers fall.

Mr. Obvious wrote:

It's a training course for crying out loud. Just use one of the google maps applications and see where the markers fall.

Agreed. The usatf site comes very close, not accounting for hills. I use it for scanning routes, then use the jones counter for marking and accuracy. Wheels, cyclometers and garmins are not accurate. If I'm going to bother to measure a course, I want the result to be accurate. Otherwise I'll just use a route map online.

VS Athletics (800) 676-7463 has them for $69.95 to $125.95

I once knew a man named Bob.

I know Jones! He lives near my school.Our road courses were measured with it when he first developed it.