I was able to download the tracklog version in my S/W thanks, but didn't try the google earth bit.
map and pencil? when I'm biking I would have to stop and read the map every 5 min as that's the time it take you to the next junction. Map ok when walking, but riding, it's a pain. GPS rocks for that. Nigel, I'm using Garmin Vista HCx and I like it. Bike mount ok and coverage ok except Forest of Dean. I combine it with the Traklogs S/W to download a route to the GPS and it works well once on the tracks with a few uturns needed sometime when spotting the track is not obvious in the field.