Dixie 200 '14

[DaveH]

Hey all,

I'm starting a new Dixie thread for 2014 replacing http://www.bikepacking.net/forum/index.php?topic=3070.0

The Dixie 200 is scheduled to go off at 7 am on June 21. Understand that the route is comprised of trails and forest roads of varying conditions and maintenance unlike maintained routes such as CTR and AZT. I will talk to the FS about local conditions beforehand but will not ride the route. Conditions were perfect for last years event. The area did get big fall storms that deepened some of those arroyos.

Please announce your intent to ride in this thread so I know how many riders will join.

We'll have a spot tracker again.

Dixie history lesson:

2010 was 2 events in 1, the Dixie Lite and the Dixie 311. http://trackleaders.com/dixie

2011 the two were combined to create the 200. It was also a massive snow year (over 400% of normal at one point) and the Markagunt was under snow into July. The route was modified and had one sole finisher, Eszter! http://trackleaders.com/dixie200-2011

2012 and 2013 went off without a hitch and the route was identical, same as it is this year. Fred Wilkinson won 2012 at 2:06:35, Mike DeBernardo set a new course record last year at 2:01:49.
http://trackleaders.com/dixie200 for 2012
http://trackleaders.com/dixie13 for 2013

[ec_duz_it]

I am in for the 200 most likely. Much thanks for putting this together.  The route looks like a great adventure with plenty of nice technical singletrack. A proper bikepacking route, much like the Coconino.   
I looked at all the previous years threads-- blogs, gpx., waypoints, etc., and loosely gathered information, but if you could just touch on the general strategy for the 200 ride that would be appreciated.  I will be going at a slower pace with no intention of going fast.

-Best/ most scenic spots to camp?

-Water (I see the water waypoints, but any off route water not in the waypoints?).

-Resupply (I see the resupply waypoints, but any off route resupply not in the waypoints?).

That should be all I need to plan.  Really looking forward to it. 

[jherget]

Good Day,
I too am most likely in for the 200, assuming I don't need a GPS for the course.  Is there a cue sheet available that I can review?

[plesurnpain]

Thanks for bringing this back Dave. I was wondering if there was going to be any takers and had held off asking for the time off to do this. It looks like there's already a couple heading that way so I will ask for the time off on Monday.
I've read all the threads and have started planning. Everything is in place gear wise except for a bivy. I'm thinking of going simple with the SOL Escape Bivy unless it's going to be buggy. Anyone have thoughts on that? I also picked up a Garmin Etrex 20 and have downloaded the route and waypoints.
Now I'm really excited but will have to put my mind towards the Dawn till Dusk race on Saturday. I'm sure my girlfriend will be sick of hearing about this by the time we get to Gallup. The good news is we're hoping to do the Lite route sometime together.
Hope to make it and see a few more of you out there!

[DaveH]

-Best/ most scenic spots to camp?

-Water (I see the water waypoints, but any off route water not in the waypoints?).

-Resupply (I see the resupply waypoints, but any off route resupply not in the waypoints?).

Camping is pretty good on any of the public lands on the route, but my personal picks would be Virgin River Rim trail above Navajo, and the southern end of the Paunsaugunt, with an honorable mention to the top of Thunder Mtn area before you hit the descent.

Water: I just don't have an answer to that one.

Resupply: Panguitch is the only decent town/resupply within reasonable distance of the route aside from the resupply in the waypoints.

[DaveH]

Good Day,
I too am most likely in for the 200, assuming I don't need a GPS for the course.  Is there a cue sheet available that I can review?

All of the resources for this route are at http://2-epic.com/events/dixie200.html under the 2013 heading. Sorry, gps is required for this one.

[markphx]

Thanks for putting this together and providing all of the route info Dave. I'm pretty set on riding the 200 this year. My plan is to pull a lengthy drive up from Phoenix after work on Friday, June 20 and car camp somewhere along the side of 2nd Left Hand Rd.

-Mark

[DaveH]

Thanks for putting this together and providing all of the route info Dave. I'm pretty set on riding the 200 this year. My plan is to pull a lengthy drive up from Phoenix after work on Friday, June 20 and car camp somewhere along the side of 2nd Left Hand Rd.

-Mark

Great! There is great camping up 2nd lefthand about 1/4 mile, just past the creek crossing. I will camp there friday night and we'll stage from that area - we made that change last year to avoid a deepish creek crossing 30 seconds into the ride.

[kullaberg]

2012 and 2013 went off without a hitch and the route was identical, same as it is this year. Mike DeBernardo won both years, last year his fastest just over 2 days.
http://trackleaders.com/dixie200 for 2012
http://trackleaders.com/dixie13 for 2013

In 2012 it was not Mike but Fred W who pulled off the fastest time. But in typical fashion Fred did not do the Spot thing.

[DaveH]

In 2012 it was not Mike but Fred W who pulled off the fastest time. But in typical fashion Fred did not do the Spot thing.

Can't believe I just made that gaff! Apologies to Fred and Jan.  Fred rode awesome, taking over in the night from what I recall. Jan from Moab was 2nd, and Mike was 3rd in his first ever bikepack race.

Errors corrected above, thanks for setting the record straight.

[mikedeber]

I'm not riding the race this year, decided to mix up my adventures this summer.  Reading this thread is starting to make me regret my decision a bit.

All the water that Dave marked on the gpx is spot on, I never had any problems with hydration.  Camping is great just about anywhere on the route, plenty of big views to wake up to.  On the 311 page there are a couple of relevant cue sheets that I took along, segments 2 and 3 are the same.  It gives you a reference of vert/mileage.  http://2-epic.com/maps/routedetail.html

Timing for resupply is probably the biggest issue.  The gas station at Long Valley Junct closes around 9 I think, if you don't make that then there isn't anything else until the bottom of Red Canyon.  Speaking of which, both years I've missed out on that restaurant, I think they close whenever they feel like it.  Last year I settled for an ice cream and soda from the little gift shop just down the road.  The Burger Barn at Panguitch Lake was all boarded up, sniffle.  If timing is right there's another restaurant down by the lake and there's a small country store with goodies next to where the Burger Barn was.  All in all the ride isn't ridiculously long, I carried a lot of my own food and tried to only rely on the Long Valley stop for dinner the first night and a few snacks for the next day or so.

It gets really, super, mega dusty on a lot of the trails.  Bring lube and hiking legs!

[ec_duz_it]

Mike thanks for the info.  Are all the best camping spots dry camping?  I figure they will be.  I think I will just carry enough food and not worry about resupply at all.  I hate trying to make it to resupply points by a certain time of day.

Looking forward to it.  Now I just need to figure out how to not get caught in Las Vegas traffic getting out there on a Friday.....

[plesurnpain]

Things are looking good for me making this adventure. I have all my gear gathered and borrowed and will be making a test run on Saturday afternoon and Sunday (gotta do my trail volunteer work on national trails day first). I'm planning to do as much of the Park City Point to Point course as snow will allow which will serve dual purpose with that race coming up in a couple of months.
Now I just need to figure out food and water. Does anyone have any suggestions on how much water to carry? I'm planning to carry the food that I'll need and count it as a bonus if I can grab a meal along the way.

[ImAFred]

  Now I just need to figure out how to not get caught in Las Vegas traffic getting out there on a Friday.....

What time on fri? If you hit Vegas between 10am-3pm you shouldn't have any real hang ups our worst traffic times are 5:30am-9:30am and 3:30pm-6pm

[ec_duz_it]

Yeah, that's what I figured on the Vegas Traffic, so that means I need to leave first thing Friday morning. Maybe I will just leave Thursday night and get a head start.  I think Dave mentioned a good spot to car camp near the starting point. 

[markphx]

So far, I'm only counting three Dixie 200 riders (myself included) this year. Looks like another big turnout for 2014 ! I'm looking forward to the ride and the cooler temps as it's gonna hit 108 degF in Phoenix today. Been salivating over a potential dawn or dusk ride on the Thunder Mountain singletrack. Also curious as to what sort of hike a bike the Paunsaugunt has in store for the group. I'm planning on a three day touring pace with minimal night riding and plenty of sleep. There should be 16 hours of useful daylight every day during the ride which will definitely prove useful.

[DaveH]

Paunsaugunt hike a bike is not too bad - no long ones, and anywhere from just a couple to a couple handfuls depending on conditions. Sand and ravine crossings are the culprits. Older versions of the route did more Grandview trail with lots more hiking...I pulled it from the route because a big mudslide removed ~ 1/4 mile of trail.

Water availability is decent. The longest dry section is from Te-ah CG to the store. It is all fun ridable terrain but the first half of that section is over 9K with a good bit of climbing. I think most folks are doing it in the 5-7 hour range, previous spot trackers will tell the tale best. In '10 I had 150 oz capacity and used it all on that section. Ice cold drinks + a big fat burrito fueled the Paunsaugunt ascent which immediately follows...good times!

[Soft Pedal]

is there going to be blue dot tracking this year?  If I can get Monday June June 23rd off work for a commute day I'm in.....

[DaveH]

Scott & I arranged it a couple months back but I will check in and report back.

[DaveH]

I just heard back from Scott - SPOT tracking is ON for the Dixie. Details TBD.