Zowie! We've been Googled!

But it's here now, and after a few minutes online, all we can say is WOW!

OK, we'll explain. Street View is another of Google's internet viewing tools, accessible through maps.google.com - you know, the one with street maps, satellite views, and (sometimes) terrain maps of your favorite neighborhood. If Street View's available on the map you're searching, it'll show up as another little button next to the other view options at the upper right-hand corner of the screen. But despite its innocuous appearance, that little button opens up a whole 360-degree, zoomable world, anywhere the map shows a purple line. See that purple ink all over that satellite image of Spokane? That's the network of streets Google's driven and photographed in full-color, panoramic glory. Check out the view of the river near the Little Falls dam below, for example.

What does this have to do with scooters? Well, for us Minions, it means we can scope out whole new group ride loops, check out obscure places, sights and features before we go there in person. Gravel or paved? Wide or narrow? Majestic or McMansioned? Now, we can find out beforehand. Not even Rick's been to all these places, and believe us, there are a bunch of roads we've already seen online we want to ride ASAP.

Ride leaders, take note. Google Street View™ is here. Today, we're agog over Google.