TransRockies.com

chris f ellis · Newbie Joined: 18 Feb 2008 Posts: 7

Ok navigation from the start of a stage to the finish, whats it like?

What are the maps / rout cards like?

What else would you recommend as essential, cycle computer with distance and altitude, a compass?

Just after general comments really on what to expect......

Thanks,

Chris

Simon · Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2008 5:21 am Post subject: Navigation

The route books are very thorough and give you turn by tuirn instructions for the whole race. Along with an ACCURATE bike computer you should be fine. (And don't forget to make allowances for the hike-a-bikes where you carry the bike and the bike computer is not registering distance.)

The flagging of the course is very good and quite consistant. You have to work pretty hard to get lost. (My partner and I did it in 2004 but we were riding along a gravel road and just not paying attention.)

An altimeter and/or GPS might help. but you don't really need to worry about a compass.

implant · Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 11:41 am Post subject:

we're bringing the trusty garmin, more so that i can prove to everyone that i actually did this...

battery life only 10h though, so wondering about charging it up along the way...

Is there power at Nipika/Whiteswan? Or would someone with an RV be willing to allow access to a power outlet... Wink

dlinnell · Newbie Joined: 23 Jul 2008 Posts: 7

Yeah - I'm bringing the trusty Garmin too. I think I'll be able to scam some power off of some RVer at some point for charges.

beamers · TR Forum Friend Joined: 13 Mar 2007 Posts: 59

The Garmin will help the tedium of the long boring fire roads.

You won't need it for Nav though, the route is well marked with tape. Garmin will also be handy for working out your stats (speed, distance, climb etc) after each stage.
_________________
Mark

Veteran of TR 2002 and TR 2007

http://www.flickr.com/photos/29873838@N04/sets/72157607499101986/

Hootess · Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 9:09 pm Post subject:

I took my Garmin last year - just a basic one that tells you distance, speed, altitude, time, and a really rough map. I made friends with those lovely mechanics from Rebound Cycles, and they kindly let me charge up my GPS each night, and then when we got to where there was signal - i.e. the last night, my phone got some time on charge too.

As Beamers said, the route is really well marked, so don't need to navigate as such, but it is great to know haw far and how much climbing you still have to do - saying that, I think most people with Altimiters of one description or another believe we climed more than the route book said we would Wink

beamers · TR Forum Friend Joined: 13 Mar 2007 Posts: 59

Regarding the variation in the actual climbing compared to the projected it was even worse in 2002. Ward Cameron, the course designer, worked out the height gain using the map. Quite a few people were using Polar HRMs with altimeters which measure every single meter in elevation. i.e if the the height changes by 9m and the map counter interval is 10m Ward didn't count the climb, the HRM did.
_________________
Mark

Veteran of TR 2002 and TR 2007

http://www.flickr.com/photos/29873838@N04/sets/72157607499101986/