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My eldest (12) has started hitting some of the local trails with his buddies. I think it would be a good idea being able to know where he is in case of an accident or getting into any other bother. What are people using, any free apps that can be turned on and off? We both have iPhones, so guess I could use that, but there may be better solutions out there. THNX.
Track my phone or whatever it's called?
if you both have iphones, there is no better solution than the 'find my' app.
I find WhatsApp location share better than Strava beacon
It's worth having something. We have Android and use Whatsapp on our 'riding phones' to track where they are (as well as verbal 'I'm going too'.
One of ours managed this on the day he finished school forever, so went on a solo ride (intake of breath the last 20seconds as a parent..)
Google Maps location sharing.
But also make sure ICE details are easily accessible- as required by my son's friend when he was helicoptered unconscious out of the local jump spot.
I've seen that quite a few times now and it still isn't a pleasant sound...
I'd defo just go for the track my iphone idea if they're apple owners too, which considering you both are is highly likely. Evidenced by my stalker 70ish year old mum who, when we have weekends away, messages me with 'having a mcdonalds again?' when we've not long parked up in the macys carpark!!
But also make sure ICE details are easily accessible
Good point - all ours have it on the lockscreen of their phones.
I’ve seen that quite a few times now and it still isn’t a pleasant sound…
I will go find his of last summers big hip jump to punch ground in Morzine - the slow mo actually shows the dripping blood and smear on the ground. #7stitches #chickdigscars
Find My on iPhone woks really well, super simple and you already have it so good shout. It is exactly what I use for my 13yr old who is also hitting the local trails with her mates.
There is a but though, it isn't easy/possible to translate that location to a reference such as OS, W3W or even Lat Long.
If you kid rides locally and you are just keeping an eye on them then Find My is everything you need and no reason to shop around. But once they start heading out in to forest or somewhere where you may need to direct help, rather than go yourself, then you would be better with a tool which gives you a reference to their location.
We use Life360 for our girls and it is very good - realtime tracking and generally very accurate.
Another thing you can do is put ICE contact details in the image used for the lock screen so they can be very quickly accessed.
If you want to track the bike there are a couple of discreet options for gps trackers in handlebars or inside the steerer tubes. There’s an article on cyclist.co.U.K. that reviews them - probably not a bad investment anyway given the number of kids that get their bikes stolen.
https://www.cyclist.co.uk/buying-guides/5391/buyers-guide-gps-bike-trackers
Simple Google Location sharing will work anywhere where there is a signal. It also shows you how much battery their device has left. It is free.
LiveTrack on Garmin?.... oh wait on, thats utter pants and hardly ever works...:-(
The good thing with Live 360 (as I previously recommended) is that you can also set locations so (for example) you could create the local woods as a location and the app will ping you when they arrive / leave etc