Dixie 200/311

[Patio]

hey guys, first post!  I've done some road touring before, but I want to start doing offroad touring.  I am about to move from Wisconsin to Utah in June and I have a few overnight trips that I'll be able to attempt to guage my skill at bikepacking.  I've heard about the dixie 200 and 311 but I can't really find too much current info on it.  I assume like a lot of the other TT bikepacking races that I've read about, that there will be a large send off so to speak with people both racing and touring.  I'm a lot more interested in touring, but due to lack of experience I don't want to be completely alone on my first longer trip.  So far nobody that I know will come with me.   I am looking for some current info on this, I've searched this forum and the MTBR forums and haven't found anything for the 2012 race other than that in the "2012 Calendar" thread it says the start date is 6/23.  If there is any current info on this or anything else that might be useful I'd really appreciate it. 

[Foster]

Yeah the 200 would be a good one to start on.  Even though Brad Mattingly and I got stormed off the thing last summer I think it is one of the more mellow races.  It also goes through beautiful country.  I will say one thing though, if it is rainy and wet in the forecast avoid the race...everything there is expandable clay and the worst mud you will ever encounter if it rains.  Other than that there is some great riding mixed with some OK riding and some forest service roads.  The finish on the route is simply amazing single track.

If you want the gpx file I can send it to you. 

Have Fun

[LyndaW]

I think it is one of the more mellow races. 

I would disagree with this statement. In 2011 only one person managed to finish the course in the race or ITT format.

[Foster]

I would disagree with this statement. In 2011 only one person managed to finish the course in the race or ITT format.

Well it is only 200 miles...and if the weather is good(no rain I mean making it muddy) then I think that the riding is comparable to that on the coco 250 which I found to be mostly moderate.  Compared to the 300 I think its a much more doable ride for someone new to bike packing.

[LyndaW]

Well it is only 200 miles...and if the weather is good(no rain I mean making it muddy) then I think that the riding is comparable to that on the coco 250 which I found to be mostly moderate.  Compared to the 300 I think its a much more doable ride for someone new to bike packing.

The Grandview trail is some of the most difficult riding I have done. That is the second half of the course. I don't believe you rode that part right?

[Foster]

Not on Mine and Brad's failed attempt.  But a couple of days later after things dried out a little we went and did part of the Grandview section(because a lady at the fs office recommended it for some reason) and I would have to agree with you, it was very difficult and not that fun so we only did about 20 miles of it.  Also the trail in lots of areas is very faint and difficult to follow.  I went back to the area a couple of months later with my gf and we did the last 40 miles of the 200, I thought those weren't to bad.  There are definitely sections of that ride that are significantly harder but other sections that are easier.

[DaveH]

Event organizer here...

One of the ideas behind the Dixie 200 is to provide a venue for folks to dip their toes in without a huge commitment.  Some will even just allocate the weekend and bail if time runs out.

It's precursor, the Dixie lite, worked perfectly for that goal.  The 200 last year, not so much.  Unlike established cross state trails like the AZT and the CT, the Dixie takes in remote/rugged terrain that may or may not see much - if any - trail work for long time periods.  Last year we had record snowpack, and that had 3 big effects:  I couldn't do much scouting prior to the event, some of the route was not yet melted out, and some areas of the course had extreme blowdown.  So, last year turned out to be an unknown beast for all at the start. 

Snowpack is below normal this year, which means I'll have plenty of time to scout out the trouble sections and route accordingly. 

As for the 200 being easy - well that's a personal judgement call.  To make that call you really have to ride it all in one go   Expect challenges due to steep terrain, high elevation, arid sections, wet sections, scenery that makes it hard to keep your eyes on the trail, navigation & faint trail, critters, and in general a very remote & rugged section on the southern Paunsaugunt, my personal favorite section of the route.

I do have some new sections that will improve the route this year, but can't really say much about them yet - which ones get included will depend on conditions on the Grandview.  If that blowdown didn't get cleared out that'll mean big changes. 

It all starts June 23.  There are even a couple doing the 311 this year, which FYI is in permanent ITT status.

[Patio]

Thanks for the info guys!  This sounds like a lot of fun, and I'm really stoked.  I'm going to go on my first offroad overnighter this weekend and see how that goes and then start training for this trip.  How many days does it take for the average attempt?  Is there some sort of guide I should look into (either like the Colorado Trail Guidebook for the course itself or a training guide)?  I'd like to be armed with as much information as possible going into this thing.  If anyone is willing to share their secrets about their setup (bike and or gear) I'd be interested to hear about that as well.  Thanks again!

[DaveH]

Average attempt on the Dixie...good question!  The winner last year took ~38 hours.  She is the only person to ever finish the Dixie 200, so I'd have to call that the average   She hammered it - only stopped about 4 hours.  Since she is far from average I wouldn't pin expectations based on her time.  I would guess an average racer time to be more like 45 hours with a fast tour going 3+ days.  Keep in mind the time is also going to be highly dependent on the course and the conditions.  The downed trees certainly added a big chunk of time last year.  I'll do my best to keep sections like that out of the route this year.

Route beta:  while I don't yet have the official route established for this year, these links will help.

Services: http://2-epic.com/maps/311map.html?map=dixie-services.kml&index=6 , the routes shown are the Dixie 311 and Dixie lite.  A close approximation of the Dixie 200 route is the Dixie lite with the southern part of the Paunsaugunt included (from the 311).

Current snowpack overlay on what was to be the route in 2011: http://2-epic.com/maps/311map.html?map=dixie200snow.kml&index=3 this is not what we ended up doing...the entire Markagunt was still snowbound late June last year.

Training:  you're asking all the right questions   Check out the training plans at http://lwcoaching.com.  There are 2 plans for self-supported multi-days at http://lwcoaching.com/?page_id=93.   These plans are full of info.  Full disclosure:  the LW of LWcoaching is my significant other, and I wrote the CTR training plan.

Bike setup and gear:  this site is an amazing resource, start with the setups at http://www.bikepacking.net/category/individual_setups/.  Then search the forums for more details, ask questions, ride, test, repeat.

[mikedeber]

Thanks for all the info and planning Dave, I'm really looking forward to this

[Patio]

This looks like a fantastic trip, its awfully cool of you to put this route together.  I've checked out some of the resources you've linked and they are all super helpful.  I think a lot of my history with road touring will help, but after looking at some pictures I've found of this route it looks amazing.  Utah is a beautiful place, I can't wait.

[moabjason]

Figured out how to load the tracks for this race into my gps, so I guess I'm in.

[Foster]

Also, condition wise...if it rains a fair amount which it did on our attempt last summer it will be a mud fest and your bike will end up with a weight of 100 pounds haha.  If there weather is good I think it would be a great time and a not so hard ride.

Anyone that goes for it I hope you have a good time and make it to the finish.

Eric

[moabjason]

Farmers almanac long range forcast says it will be hot and dry that weekend, I have used that site for figureing the weather on other races and its usually 80% right 20% of the time.

[ImAFred]

Farmers almanac long range forcast says in will be hot and dry that weekend, I have used that site for figureing the weather on other races and its usually 80% right 20% of the time.

:smilewinkgrin:

[DaveH]

http://2-epic.com/events/dixie200.html

The event site is updated to include a GPX file that is close to what will be the final route for 2012.  Note that it is significantly different from last year's route - and a bit longer.

Late June thus far has been nothing but stellar in the region.  Let's hope that trend continues!

[mtnken]

Hey Dave.. thoughts on starting the 311 the 2nd week of June.. or, should we wait until the 2nd week of July.. Thanks again for all the work! Also, we welcome anyone else that would like to join us for the 311!

[JayP]

the 200, the 311, and the 168....you mentioned the website has been updated. why start on friday for the 200 and monday for the 311/168?

looking for something to do on my birthday, the 24th......

[DaveH]

I'll go out on a limb and say 2nd week of June will be good to go.  Most of the route is already clear of snow.  There will likely be some lingering snow in the Tushars but you can modify as needed.  I'll get back to you on this shortly after talking to the trail crews.

JayP - there is only the Dixie 200 for a group start.  All other routes are now in ITT status.  The only updated page is the one linked above for the 200.  June 23 is the start date so you'd surely enjoy a birthday finish.

I'll take that as my cue to update the older pages....thanks.

[mtnken]

Thanks Dave!