These stories are related to achievements yes, but more than that it’s more on stories that can inspire other local guides as regards drawing roads. Therefore I’ll rather post it here on local stories board.These local guides agreed to an interview with me as the host. They also agree to share their stories on connect. The main crust of the story is that 2 months ago when we started The TRAC event. their road added column on their Google maps profile was zero 0. Therefore it’s a story of Zero to Hero.
The first is a local guide from India.
Hello I am @keshavdsd
A Level 8 Local guide.
Que: How long have you been a local guide?
Keshav: Its been 5 years now since I started contributing to Google maps as a local guide.
Que: How long since you discovered connect as a forum. I discovered connect a few months ago a and introduced 
here in April.Some months ago
Que: How many roads had you before now?
Keshav: I had zero number of roads. My added road column on the maps was 0 !
Que: How did you get to know about The TRAC event?
Keshav: I knew about the campaign through a fellow local guide and friend @LovePathak28 the co-host of the event. I joined the event started to learn to To draw roads. On Google maps
Que: How many roads have you added on the maps now?
Keshav: I have added 127 roads till date and I keep adding through the The TRAC event.
**Que:**What’s your advise to other local guides that haven’t added roads on the maps or are not participating on TRAC?
Keshav: You can also participate by taking out a small time from your schedule to draw some roads on the maps. It gives satisfaction.
Keshav: Closing remarks. It’s a joy to render a selfless service to the society,the world and humanity in general. It’s even more interesting when you are a local guide volunteering for Google. Please join us on The TRAC event. as we still have a few months to go.
Thank you.
The 2nd story is an Italian local guide.
Hello Marco Davoli (I like to use my real name) @MarcoDavoli
**Que:**What level are you as a local guide?
Marco: Actually Level 8
**Que:**How long have you been a local guide.?
Marco: I did not remember, I try to look into my profile but was not able to find my date of registration
Que: Before joining TRAC event how many roads have you drawn?
Marco: I really started from the scratch, 0.Zero !!!
Que: Were you aware of drawing roads on the maps before now?
Marco: Yes.This winter, I was studying how to create “Google Blue Line” for Street View. I was fortunate to meet @ErmesT who supported me with helpful advice. Furthermore, he also pointed out the possibility of creating or modifying trails. At that moment, I realized that I could also create or modify roads.
Que: How did you find out about the TRAC event?
Marco: I started attending Google LGC regularly to learn and stay updated, and hopefully make new friends as well. I invest almost 1 hour a day in LGC. I met @SholaB and his proposal for the 3K TRAC. What better opportunity to become an even more active member and make the experience of using Google Maps even easier.
Que: How did you learn to draw roads on the maps?
Marco: At first, I was only creating trails for my project of mapping the “La Maddalena Archipelago National Park.” I remember showing the first trail to ErmesT for advice. That’s where it all started. Then I came across @JanVanHaver podcast (I highly recommend listening to it for new members and others as well. It’s a splendid work full of useful information and advice), and the episode explains how to do it and what precautions to take. What’s
Que: What’s your total number of roads now?
Marco: Currently, I have created 1061 new roads, although I’m still awaiting approval for 400 pending changes. Nevertheless, I am actively participating in the 3K TRAC, which I imagine will soon become 50K. And since it’s a friendly competition, I would like to make it to the podium.
Que: What is your motivating factor on drawing roads?
Marco: If you add or create a road near your home, you do it simply to correct what you believe is an error; no significant motivation behind it. But when you start being active and have the fortune to be part of a group (3K TRAC), you realize how important it is, and that becomes your motivation. I think back to how many times I’ve heard people say, “Google Maps makes me take long routes.” Then you discover that maybe there was a missing connection that would make the route even faster. Not to mention the importance of accurate mapping in case of emergencies. That is the main motivation.
Que: What we’re your challenges on drawing roads?
Marco: The process for creating or modifying roads is quite simple, although in some areas, it can be really difficult to distinguish them, such as in certain rural areas of Morocco or Pakistan. Not all roads are paved and clearly visible. Additionally, it is important to remember not to map private roads; if I see, or rather catch a glimpse of, a gate at the beginning of a road, I stop. But the main difficulty has been not having a record of the reported roads still in the approval phase, risking reporting them again. And it has happened. With a bit of organization, this problem can be overcome, keeping track of the areas where I have worked.
**Que:**Do you plan to continue participating in TRAC event?
Marco:.yes (Lol) Absolutely! With or without 3K TRAC, I will continue to make my humble contribution to improving Google Maps. However, if I were to manage to make it to the podium during this competition, I would be thrilled.
**Que:**What’s your advise for other local guides as regards drawing roads?
Marco: In the first few days, it may seem like there are no roads to be created, but then your eye gets accustomed, learns to recognize small signs that there are some changes to be made or a road is missing. Furthermore, always remember that your work, done with mouse clicks, can be of great help in real life for someone else somewhere in the world. I would also like to add that it’s like embarking on a virtual journey around the world. How many of us know Lesotho?
Marco: Closing remarks, A piece of advice for those approaching Google LGC. It’s a wonderful community of ordinary people driven solely by the passion to share and create knowledge (the latest example being the “Museum Contest”). We are here for the pure pleasure of being able to help someone else. So, if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask. There will always be someone ready to assist you
Thank you
. I promise to go listen to the podcast as soon as I send this reply. We have lots of credible local guides on our side. Local guides like