TRANS EURO TRAIL (TET) UPDATE AND A PLEA FROM THE TET TEAM

[bfgjohno]

It's fabulous and really satisfying for those of us working away on the TET project that there is so much excitement and chatter about it on here and elsewhere.

Our fingers are hovering over the "Go Live" button with only a couple of little issues to iron out first. We are as impatient as you guys to share it with you :woohoo:

There has been alot of offers of help to recce and feedback on the 34,000+ km of the TET and many of you here will have been part of that. Thankyou. (thumbs)

In helping us to recce it, we have sent out pre-release sections of the TET to folk to use.

They are just that - "pre-release" - and may be very different from the TET v1.0 that comes out on the website. As such they may/will include illegal, inrideable or downright dangerous elements (for example, Croatia and Bosnia are still littered with landmines and we need to be careful with our routing and explicit warnings against straying from the path or wild camping).

If people treat these "pre-releases" as gospel it's likely that issues will occur - legal or medical - and that the TET will then start to develop an unjustified reputation as unreliable or dangerous. What's more locals will get pissed off by these "hoodlums" riding illegal or unsustainable tracks.

For these reasons and the good of the project (and at risk of sounding like I'm trying to bolt the stable door too late!), can I ask those who have "black market" copies of TET gpx's to hold off sharing them? That was the understanding that they were shared with recce riders in the first place.

When we do finally go live, the GPXs will be downloadable free of charge and those downloads will be updated as frequently as changes come in - that could be (please God no :blink: ) on a daily basis! So there will be no point in going anywhere but the project's website for the GPXs and no point in sharing the GPXs on other sites such as Wikiloc - they'll be out of date by the time they are posted!

If you're keen to get involved in development then the local Linesman are keen to hear from you. E-mails follow the system of [email protected] where XXX is the International registration i.e BG for Bulgaria, RO for Romania, AL for Albania and so on.

All the best and thanks for everyones enthusiasm for the project!

John

Trans Euro trail Website
Trans Euro Trail Facebook page

[BlueUK]

Firstly, thanks for undertaking the project and sharing(everyone included).
I have added on Facebook I think(I don't really use it) and also tried signing up on the TET site but never did receive an email to sign in?
Are there any TET linesmen ride reports? Especially France, Spain and Portugal. I've struggled to find any.
Thanks again.

[bfgjohno]

Thanks for your kind words.
The FB group page is full of photos and links to recce's performed, BlueUK.
I know FB's not to everyone's liking but it's needs must at present.
We're planning for a bespoke forum accessible via the website which will make accessing advice, tips, RRs, riding partners etc much more easy.
Sadly we've all got day jobs and the TET has become a bit all consuming (just ask my wife!) so we're having to prioritise the work flow at present

[Peirre]

I've been following the BF group page for some time and can't wait to read that the trail is complete

[BlueUK]

Thanks for your kind words.

The FB group page is full of photos and links to recce's performed, BlueUK.

I know FB's not to everyone's liking but it's needs must at present.

We're planning for a bespoke forum accessible via the website which will make accessing advice, tips, RRs, riding partners etc much more easy.

Sadly we've all got day jobs and the TET has become a bit all consuming (just ask my wife!) so we're having to prioritise the work flow at present

I wasn't critical of the Facebook use, just that I don't usually use it but did to try and access all info on the pages but unsure fully how to navigate Facebook. A forum or perhaps even a sub forum within this forum may be good depending on your plans for the future.

[richeyroo]

I think it is a brilliant thing to do and of course it is very early days. But the prospect of such a GPX is fabulously exciting.
But I wouldn't be scared to monetize it if only to cover your server costs and provide an even better standard of service.
I know that downloads are regarded as free by all and sundry these days and copying/sharing is de rigeur but the demographic of "adventure riders" (ho ho ho) isn't poor and Paypal is such an easy way to part with 10 quid for a brilliant resource.
There may be difficult consequences of liability when a product is paid for, especially if I get killed by a Bosnian landmine because my wife will probably be a bit annoyed but I'd hate to think that a lack of funding might derail such a brilliant resource

[Fatman690]

This is such a brilliant project John, if you need any help with the admin side of things I'd be delighted to help out. I'm at uni so have plenty of time on my hands and (unfortunately) stuck in front of a computer screen half the time. Just up the road from you too in Newcastle
Chris

[Tramp]

I agree about not using or passing around the prototypr files....look whats happened to the trans portugal and pyrennes routes..diluted and folks winge when stuff is closed or impassable...things change mostly for the better...
Just wait a lityle longer i know it will be worth it (thumbs) ...keep up the good work johono

[PHILinFRANCE]

(thumbs)

[bfgjohno]

richeyroo - yes we need to think liability because the world is that kind of sad place now.
re monetising it.... we've given it long and hard thought. All of us are volunteers. Adventure Spec have been immensely generous in their support so far - we would be no where near where we are now without them - hats off and huge thanks to Dave and Chris who are riders first and foremost.
In essence, we're reluctant to monetise the concept - it only encourages the sharing of out of date tracks amongst other things - some of which you've touched on. We're all volunteers and see this as a "legacy" issue and something funded by passion etc
AS will be running a line of TET themed merchandise through their storefront which will help with some of the finances but we may also appeal to the largesse and enthusiasm of the community for donations - a bit like BDR do in the States. Folk know the fun to be had and the work that goes into this kind of thing and being a donor is another way to be part of the community that is the TET. Positive karma may not make anyone rich but if it can make this project special ...... We like warm fuzzy feelings