(Sorry to derail, but how did the Heroes event go?)

You get it preloaded with the US/Canada map. You can buy a new map next year that will have changes -- new roads, new points of interest, changes in direction, etc. You don't have to, but you may find after a few years the maps are out of date, especially the points of interest. If you want to find a bank in East Bumblefuck, you might find it isn't there anymore.

Of course, you'll have to buy maps for other countries if you want to use it when traveling abroad.

No. I have a Garmin StreetPilot c320 and the package included a map set for the whole USA (buy yourself a 1G SD chip and you can fit the entire thing on there, it's like $15.) No subscription fee, nothing else. If you decide to buy a new map set in a few years you'll pay for that, obviously. I've run into some issues with the maps but pretty much only in brand new subdivisions or cities with a lot of rapid growth (Baton Rouge, LA).

And seriously, this is the best $400 I've ever spent. I love my GPS. It makes my life SO much better.

the mapping software that came with my Garmin Edge is pretty comprehensive.

That and I can log/map trails independent of what they have on their dB. I just save the routes. This is helpful as there are a number of common rides around here that we do frequently (I'm talking offroad, cos on-road it's pretty much got it handled).

yea what Fuzzbean said.

by the way, consider this a digital arse-kicking. you seen my mileage recently?

Thanks for the info guys!

TPS: Line was HUGE. We decided we would rather just have the DVDs and see New York rather than stay in line the whole time. We went to central park and then to the Met. I haven't been there in YEARS, and it was my first time there without it being on a school trip haha. We were there for like five hours. Good stuff. A++++ WOULD VISIT AGAIN.

LFR: Auuuuuugh. Life/jobs/college preperation has gotten in the way of all things bike related, and I've just been informed that I won't have my car down at university for the second fucking year in a row ("If you want a car at college go buy one." Thanks for the healthy dosage of Moon Logic, Dad!) so I won't be able to go to 99% of the bike trails in my state. Fucking fantastic.

That said, I don't think I could compete with you if everything was going perfect for me. You're nuts.

Is there map software for european cities now, or is it just US/Canada?