Dixie 200 updates, post Brian Head fire

[DaveH]

On the topic of a start date, current vote count is 1 for Friday, 1 for Saturday. Not a compelling reason to change. If you know others that are doing the ride and haven't posted, give them a nudge.

[evdog]

Myself +1 are still planning to start on Friday morning to avoid Friday afternoon LA/Vegas traffic.  Don't change the date on account of us.  Everyone else will catch up

[DaveH]

OK, I know of 5 people coming this year. 4 are starting Friday morning. Let's move the start date to Friday, July 23. Sorry Geoff!

7am good for everyone? We can do earlier if you like.

[geofflane]

 I'll try to make it work.

[Dana Ernst]

Cool. I already signed up on Trackleadders for ITT. I wonder if I can update that.


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[DaveH]

Cool. I already signed up on Trackleadders for ITT. I wonder if I can update that.

I put a request in to Scott to change the start date and your entry from ITT to grand depart.

[geofflane]

Quick question Dave: What would you say is an ideal tire width? I have 3" tires on now and was going to swap them out for 2.4" but figured I'd ask your opinion beforehand. Sounds like a bit new stuff so might be nice to have the wide ride...

[DaveH]

I'm going with 2.4. There is surprisingly little sand so I'd think 3.0 is overkill unless you're running a hardtail. The race has been won on a fatbike though, so anything goes!

I'm not sure if you on FB, but if you are we have a group with some chatter, esp about water availability in the final section: https://www.facebook.com/groups/463924827490394/

[geofflane]

It is a hardtail, but I'll likely put on the smaller tire. I am not on Facebook unfortunately. What is the mileage where water may be an issue and I'll be sure to carry a bunch... I have a 4L water bladder I'll have in my frame bag and 3 water bottles; so I should have decent capacity to carry enough.

[DaveH]

There are 2 key pieces of water info.

First, the water mains have been shut off at all campgrounds near Navajo due to some sort of political dispute. Retarded but whatevs. I have talked to Aaron, the campground host at Te-Ah, and he has agreed to let us access his personal water supply that is in a 125 gallon tank in the back of his pickup. You'll see it in the main entrance, course goes right by it. Green pickup, the tank has a valve and attached hose, help yourself and say hi if he's there. Super friendly guy who likes cyclists. If for some reason that is not viable, you're at Navajo lake. Or, you might try the Navajo Lake store which is accessed just off the lake loop heading towards the lake when you hit the lodge trail.

From Long Valley Junction to Te-Ah is a long, mostly dry, and quite demanding section (the VRRT). There is water in Swains creek but it's a mile off-route. Head east where Harris Rim Ts into the Swains Creek road, about 1 mile down the road you'll see a fenceline - go right along the fenceline 100 feet or so and you'll see a nice clear water hole. This might be important if you end up on VRRT mid-day or camp in this section, otherwise you can haul all you need from Long Valley.

Congrats on not being on FB. It's a struggle.

[evdog]

Does water shut off include Deer Haven CG?

For the last stretch, would Cascade falls be running? Been years since I've been there, don't really remember it.  But it might save your butt right before a 600ft climb if you're out. 

[DaveH]

Deer Haven has water - all good there.

Cascade is the outlet for Navajo, pretty sure it is always reliable - but I have never been there believe it or not...the 1/2 mile trail is normally quite busy with day hikers. The road at Cascade is a straight shot to the lake if you're in dire need. It's a lot longer than you think it is from Cascade to Te-Ah via the route.

[evdog]

Just getting to Cedar city.  Stoked for tomorrow!  Will be at Deer haven tonite getting gear loaded on bikes.  See you guys in the morning

[bmattingly]

Looks like Dana is crushing it out there.  Man he has a strong engine.  Hopefully he can make some good progress through the night.  I wonder how warm it was out there today??  Will be interested to hear comments on the new course.

Great job putting this back together Dave!  Marcy and I were at Navajo Lake when the fire was blazing a couple years ago.  Man that was big and scary!!

[Dana Ernst]

Brief recap and a few pics.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B1nSGK2lP45/?igshid=dohd1bt51rsl


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[DaveH]

Social media is getting the action these days, here is what I posted to the FB group.

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Strange but true, I've never raced the Dixie 200. I've been organizing it since 2011 but just haven't had the urge to race it. This year was no different, then I got a text from Jensen Werner "so Dixie 200 eh?" An idea is born, why not do a team effort? I've had it in the rules since day 1. I coached Jensen as a gifted NICA athlete and knew if he rode at my pace he could go the distance. I got him setup with bikepacking kit, a fueling plan, and the rest is a blur. He was rock solid start to finish and fun to ride with. He was on a carbon HT and rode at least half the time out of the saddle SS style. Couldn't ask for a better teammate! He was surprised by the level of difficulty of the route, and as we were hiking part of the Grandview asked if people were pissed after finishing. That cracked me up! "Bikepackers love this stuff, it gets them closer to the terrain" or something like that.

I really like the new route. Losing the southern end of the Paunsaugunt (Grandview) was a tough pill to swallow, but I think it all came together nicely, especially with the addition of a different piece of Grandview. That spring is a lifesaver too! Next year expect a few changes. For one there is a new trail that extends the Bunker descent another 3 miles. It wasn't open yet, but Jensen and I sleuthed it out and rode it. It's got some fun features and will surely improve with more use. Also, in light of Dana's experience on Hwy 14 I'll use a different route to get to VRRT. The most likely route is Assay creek which will make Hatch the refuel location. More options, more burgers

It was great to meet the 6 hardy souls to start this year's ride. Everyone was on Trackleaders, and everyone made it back to the start. Bravo, I'm pretty sure that's a Dixie first! It's not an easy route. Congrats to Dana Ernst for setting the bar on the new route.

[evdog]

Great route, Dave!  Bunker is a great addition over Spruce, as is Hancock/Cassidy.  I missed the forest road traverse from Crawford up to Tropic as much as southern Grandview and Crawford themselves - such a cool area to ride.  It was also cool ending with the full VRRT, but that was definitely an ass kicker.  A cool breeze most of the day saved me.  I think this was harder than the prior route, especially going up Marathon and Lowder.  Up/down Pole Canyon vs the ohv trail to start of VRRT is a wash.  Interested to see what you come up with as more trails re-open, thanks for keeping this alive!    I'll post up a trip report once I have time.

[evdog]

I've posted my trip report here --> http://www.bikepacking.net/forum/bikepacking/tr-dixie-200-revisited-(2019)/new/#new

Great meeting everyone, hope you all enjoyed the ride as much as I did!

[DaveH]

Great TR and pics, thanks for sharing! I especially liked hearing how much you liked Cassidy. When done in the waning evening light after 12+ hours of riding it's pretty darn tough. As a day ride I've always loved it. The colors and unique terrain are really something in there. Those white embedded rocks on VRRT got the finger from me too lol.

[evdog]

I always forget how rocky VRRT is in places.  Most parts that are a bit on the steep side would still be rideable if not for the loose rock.