Dixie 200 - 2017

[DaveH]

The Dixie 200 lives on!

Trackleaders signup: https://form.jotformpro.com/trackleaders/dixie17

The tracker will be at http://trackleaders.com/dixie17

Last year's Dixie thread is http://www.bikepacking.net/forum/ultra-racing/dixie-200-2016-edition/

OK after some hesitation I have decided to stick to the annual date of weekend on or after summer solstice. This year the Dixie 200 group start is 7AM on Saturday, June 24. I will stick to this for all future years and if conditions are not optimal I'll let everyone know.

The initial hesitation was due to heavy snowpack in Jan/Feb possibly leading to a fall date being a better option. Discussion on the bikepacking facebook group pointed out a lot of conflicts making a fall date difficult. Conditions are improving also, so the early summer date stands. On years the early summer date doesn't work due to conditions the Dixie will run in ITT mode for that year.

See you all in June!

[riemannia]

Was really hoping to be able to race the full course when I saw that it was going to be delayed until later in the summer, but unfortunately I'll have to be back in SLC to teach at 8:30am on Monday.

Might drive down and try to get an afternoon start of an ITT on Friday the 19th and then ride the Dixie Lite (or maybe even an Xtra-Lite, cutting off everything east of 89) unless I'm feeling really good. Damn you summer teaching responsibilities!

[DaveH]

Be sure to check with me (or the Cedar City and Powell ranger districts of the Dixie National Forest) before you go. Snowpack is currently 122% of normal, if the trend continues into April the route could clear out late this year. First the snow has to melt, then forest service crews come in to cut the deadfall out. The latter usually happens right around race time, it's tight every year but has worked out the past 5 years. Hopefully the hiring freeze is over before then 'cause those trail clearing crews are seasonal.......

[riemannia]

Woops, not sure why I wrote the 19th - I meant the 23rd (of June).

[sportsmd]

Is the 311 going to happen this year?

[DaveH]

The 311 has been in ITT status since 2012. No plans to schedule a mass start.

[DaveH]

Midway Valley is the high point on the Markagunt and a good indicator of when the course will be clear. It looks like it will clear out with plenty of time for crews to get in with saws. Less than half the snowpack of same time last year and a heatwave on tap.

[sportsmd]

So you anticipate the course route the same as last year?

[DaveH]

Yes - same route this year.

[Woodland]

Glad to hear the Dixie lives on, loved my 2015 ride. Hope to make it back to the route some day...some how.

[DaveH]

Route update: the snow is gone and trail crews have cleared trails around Navajo Lake and are now working the Virgin River Rim trail. It could be a fast year!

The Dixie will be tracked again this year. Signup is here: https://form.jotformpro.com/trackleaders/dixie17

The tracker will be at http://trackleaders.com/dixie17

[sportsmd]

Sounds great...to confirm, food resupply on course: Todd's (mile 72.5), Harolds/Indian (mile 154.5), and Panguitch Store (mild 182)...water seems plentiful...since I am unfamiliar with the trail system for the Dixie, are there any locations where the GPS signal is obscured from deep canyons/wooded areas...it can be a little anxiety provoking (at least for me) when you are on the correct trail but the track shows you going elsewhere (this has happened to me in California while riding in the Tahoe/Truckee region)...I realize that this is in the "spirit" of bikepacking racing...however, it is always comforting knowing/expecting this at certain mile markers/areas...thanks

[DaveH]

Harolds is hit or miss. Comments on it last year were, and I quote: "fuck Harolds". It was open memorial weekend but I still wouldn't plan on it, at least as an essential resupply/meal. In general that intersection has spotty services. If I was racing, depending on race goals I'd either bring all food I needed, or stop at Todd's. Panguitch is so close to the finish you can smell the barn. There is another possible resupply slightly off-route at Navajo Lake. It's pricey and early in the route so not too popular with Dixie riders.

As for spotty GPS signal areas, I don't know of any (I made the GPS track!) but a weak receiver could have issues. There are many heavily wooded areas and a few canyons to pass through.

[plesurnpain]

I wouldn't count on Harold's, but the convenience store next to the campground right before Harold's is good for some snacks and ice cream.

I'm still up in the air this year and will decide in a few days. I was leaning towards a go, but then took a good digger on saturday and am a bit beat up. We'll see how the next week goes.

[mikedeber]

I alllllmost was able to make it down this year but couldn't quite manage the time off.

The past few times I've driven down through the area on 89 I noticed that big hotel on the west side of the road going towards Panguitch has a huge sign that says Bar/Restaurant.  I have no idea of the hours but it may be worth checking out if one is desparate as its only a few minutes off route.

[wolfmansbro]

Looks like the current wildfire might play a role this year
http://www.ksl.com/?sid=44690266&nid=148&title=brian-head-residents-get-chance-to-retrieve-urgent-items-as-fire-grows

[ScottM]

Hey Dixiers, if anyone wants a rental SPOT, the time to sign up is now.

If adding your own SPOT, that can be last minute (usually is!).  But we need to know ASAP if anyone is looking to rent a tracker.

Thanks!

[DaveH]

Good news/bad news. Which would you like first?

Good news: VRRT has been cleared of deadfall, trail crews have been working hard to get everything ready to go. All the Brian Head area trails have also been cleared. Trails are in great shape.

Bad news: some of the trails are on fire. Literally...Brian Head is on fire and it's growing despite a full assault on the fire. Record high temps and single digit humidities and lots of old beetle kill trees makes for a tough fire to put out. Closures include Hwy 143 (road to the start), Dark Hollow, Marathon, Sydney peak trails - all part of the route. The fire has not reached these trails but is very close.

It is possible to do a reroute, essentially using the Dixie Lite start location of Woods Ranch, climbing up to the VRRT and bypassing all of the Brian Head area trails. I'll put this together if I get a firm commitment from at least 6 people that intend to do the race.

If you are planning to do the Dixie this year and would like to see a reroute so it can go as scheduled respond here or send me a PM. I'll announce tomorrow (Tuesday, June 20) whether or not the event will have a grand depart this year.

[wolfmansbro]

I'm game for a ride this weekend. With the fire going on, I would even be game for a little exploration into some new areas. Anything good toward Boulder Mountain?

[DaveH]

I'm game for a ride this weekend. With the fire going on, I would even be game for a little exploration into some new areas. Anything good toward Boulder Mountain?

Lots of stuff to explore, I spent the better part of a season's exploratories figuring out a route for Trans Utah, which has now been integrated into the Plateau Passage route developed by bikepackingroots/Kurt Refsnider. See http://www.bikepackingroots.org/plateau-passage.html for all the beta.

Lots in the Tushars too, but it's a bit early for that area.