2011 Dixie 200 Planning

[DaveH]

OK Dave, I'd added the uncompressed links as well.

There are 3 files.  One is the full route file of about 10,000 points.  The 2nd is the same file but broken into 20 tracks of 500 points each.  This file can be uploaded to older GPS units with the 500 point track limitation.  The 3rd file is waypoints only

I'd suggest reading through all the waypoints as I've put a little text in most of them.  You can also read the waypoint text on the Dixie Map at http://2-epic.com/maps/311map.html?map=dixie200.kml&index=2 by clicking the waypoints on the left.

Hope that helps.

[dbclimb]

Dave,
I tried loading each one of the files, and it just gives me waypoints and no information / notes and details.
I tried converting the file in GPS. Visualizer, but no luck. I had no problems with the first format you had put up originally for the race.
Any way to convert it back to the first format? Or some advice would be helpful.
Thanks,
Dave

[aarong]

hi dave --

ditto on the track troubles. i've downloaded this multiple times and it will not install on my GPS. it continues to download as a .xml file. i have a past version of this track that came in as a .gpx file and it went onto my GPS fine. any suggestions or way to tweak the files so they download similarly.

thanks for any help.

-a

[DaveH]

Well lets see...

Dave:  have you tried Basecamp?  It sounds like you are getting the files downloaded OK but can't see the descriptions - correct?  I added a waypoint listing on the Dixie site, if all else fails that should work and is printable.  I've also added a KML file with full resolution.  I'm not sure you can load that to a GPS though.  Also, not all GPS units support long description text so you may just need to print off the list here http://2-epic.com/maps/dixie/dixie_cues.htm and go with that.

Aaron:  I'll ask Scott what his trick is for forcing download vs. the data dump, but you can force it by right clicking, save as... (or some similar terminology), and then change the file type to all files (again, similar terminology may apply here on the mac - I don't know the process for a mac) and make sure it's got a .gpx extension.

.zip files automatically download - are you unable to extract the files from the zip archive?  This has never been a problem in the past. 

Let me know if that get's you up and running.

[DaveH]

Try the downloads again - all the files should download directly as .gpx files without any "right click, save as..." actions required.

[aarong]

i think i got it to work, dave. from the earlier file. i'm on my way out of town for biz but i'll check later to be sure and let you know. thanks. -a

[dkirk]

Wow,
I don't check the site the whole weekend and look what happens! Cool, I get to come up with a different plan. Hey Dave, what's the best way to get to the start from up north? I know how to get there from Panguitch.
Thanks,
Dave K

[DaveH]

Mr Kirk -  here's the route on google maps: 

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=213710742619077634130.0004a627a988e37d1fbfd&num=200&sll=37.606068,-112.156539&sspn=0.40736,0.508626&ll=37.677299,-112.148437&spn=0.823877,1.036835&z=10

Click any waypoint (start/finish, for example) and then click "Directions" in the popup.  It's real simple from Panguitch - south on 89 for a few miles, then E on 12.  IIRC it's about 10-11 miles total.

[dbclimb]

Dave,
I finally got it to work. The guys at Garmin helped me . It seems Base camp is very fussy when reading certain files.
Well, 'Its' good to learn new things! See you this week around Friday. May need a campsite will let you know by tomorrow night.
Thanks,
Dave

[DesertDog]

First, who all plans to camp at the Red Canyon campground on Friday night?  In other words, how many sites need to be saved? (Normally only allowed 2 cars per camp site.)  And, Dave, what time are you planning on getting up there on Friday?

I think I am going to head out with you all on Saturday morning, but I will either do a very different Dixie 200 or 300 course, depending. 

I've been having a hard time trying to figure out just what I want to do this week.  Looking now at heading up and doing Three Peaks in Cedar City  on Friday, then camping at Red Canyon on Friday night.  I'd reallly like to meet up and discuss some bikepacking/backcountry racing topics with everyone.  And, hopefully, I'll get a chance to meet up with some other regional marquis names (namely Scott and Chad)  thru the season.

I'm actually looking to do a route out to St Johns, then up around the Aquarius Plateau/Hell's Backbone to Boulder to Escalante to Powell's Point to Tropic.  Then, depending on what I feel like, either just heading back to the TM TH or continuing on thru the 200 course from Tropic.  So, it will either be 185 or 285 miles total.  If things get shortened, I'll just do a couple extra days of car camping and riding around TM and Cassidy, then a nice loop down to Hatch and the reservoir.

[gregclimbs]

I am still planning on it.

Have a place to crash friday night in cedar.



g

[DaveH]

Awesome Greg!

FYI:  if you plan to camp near the start on Friday, stop by Red Canyon campground and swing through the sites on the east side.  I will try to acquire a group site.  Anyone is welcome to camp there provided I do actually get it (the place is fairly popular but super nice).  Look for my grey Xterra.

SPOT tracking:  We will have it, I'm working on it with Scott.  Stay tuned for details.

Weather looks perfect.  Hello summer!

[DaveH]

DesertDog - I'll be out there about 7-8 pm Friday.  You sound indecisive, why not just do the route?  It's pretty damn cool

[DaveH]

SPOT tracking:  we will have a trackleaders tracker setup for the Dixie.  If you would like your SPOT on it, send me via email or PM:

1.  Your SPOT public share page link
2.  A personal link of your choosing (blog, website, facebook profile)

*** edit ***
My SPOT unit is now spoken for.

Personal tracking is $15. I suggest a donation of $15 to Scott Morris/Trackleaders for personal tracking in the Dixie.

[ScottM]

Folks, this is going on right now:

http://trackleaders.com/dixie200

And check Dave's midrace report and photos:

http://2-epic.com/?p=1585

Goes without saying, I wish I were out there...

[LyndaW]

...and Eszter is in. The only finisher and overall winner. Ladies are showing their form this year   

[Foster]

Why does it say that dave kirk has a better time on trackleaders.com.  Is this an error than?

[ScottM]

Check Dave's history -- he started early and also didn't follow the route.

Foster, what happened?  Going to ITT it?

[Foster]

Yeah I am still going to do an ITT.  Starting on the 10th, might be more of a tour ride, might be going with Brad Mattingly.  If I end up going alone then I will go for speed.

[DaveH]

Some notes on the current state of the Dixie 200:

- The route is not yet nailed down.  The route that was raced last weekend is much different than what I had anticipated it would be due to lingering record snowpack. 

- The southern part of the route (Crawford pass GWT climb, Crawford pass trail, and sections of the Grandview trail) are littered with downed trees.  This came as a surprise to everyone, myself included since those were all clean as could be same time last year during the 311.  The Dixie NF has an 8 man chainsaw crew that spends the summer & fall season clearing out trails.  The southern end of the Paunsaugunt is remote and not a high traffic area, so I can't say when they will get to it - but some research on that is recommended before attempting the route.  Grandview trail and Crawford pass trails are essential sections of the route and will remain.

- I will be doing some more recon for further route options in the coming weeks, and expect to nail down the route and event date such that snow and trees don't become such big issues in the future.  I'd consider doing a "test event" this September if there was sufficient interest.

So, keep these things in mind when planning your assault on the Dixie.