Brianhead 100 GPS track? Course map?

[donkey]

Do any of you have a course map or GPS track of the Brianhead 100 course? I'd really like to organize an unsupported "ride" now that Team Big Bear has done away with the BH100.

Anyone?

B

[ionsmuse]

Well, I can't. Best I can do is a vague recollection and the maps at www.brianhead.com. Basic idea was to link the Marathon Trail to a good part of the VRR as a lollipop out n' back, no?

I love that area. Brian's race at Brian Head? Puurfect.

[Ross W.]

how's that? I have it bigger in better resolution but I'm not sure where I can host it in full size.

I have no idea how recent this is, but I assume it's fairly accurate.

[ionsmuse]

Seems like we ought be able to restock at Duck Creek village. Easy logistics.

So when we doin' it, B?

[donkey]

Originally Posted by Ross W.

how's that? I have it bigger in better resolution but I'm not sure where I can host it in full size.

I have no idea how recent this is, but I assume it's fairly accurate.

Can you email me the high res version?

brianblair72 at hotmail dot com

Thanks!

B

[donkey]

Originally Posted by ionsmuse

Seems like we ought be able to restock at Duck Creek village. Easy logistics.

So when we doin' it, B?

How do you feel about late august or september? 2 months notice should be enough for folks to get organized right?

Hopefully I can get this thing organized.....I'm itching to ride out there again.

B

[donkey]

Double post.......disregard.

[ionsmuse]

Originally Posted by donkey

How do you feel about late august or september?

I'd vote for August for purely personal reasons. A good time, regardless.

2 months is perfectly adequate!!!! Remember, first and foremost this is for you.

[alizbee]

You got my attention.

[chadfbrown]

I'm in if Dave C. is going. Hopefully in the next two months prior to the race, I can get a SS. Thanks Dave

This might help the cause: GPX Format of Brianhead Epic 100 for last year (almost full version, there is a section missing at the end of the race, but it is very small).

[vzman]

If this is really happening........I'M IN

www.veezeprice.blogspot.com

[ionsmuse]

Originally Posted by chadfbrown

I'm in if Dave C. is going. Hopefully in the next two months prior to the race, I can get a SS. Thanks Dave

Just as long as you promise to not run 42:14 (unless you'll be using it for beer runs, exclusively). I don't want to hear you b!tching about arthritis in five years.

If this goes down, and if my knee behaves, I hope I've got my Lev by then. It would be a tough course to SS. Some tough climb, at altitude, but also lots of flats and gentle downs to torture you as you spin by.

I'm really beginning to think that, for the most part, SS is for fun, gears are for racin'.

For those of you who don't know, this is one of the coolest, most unique and scenic parts of Utah. Views of Zion, high mountain Aspens and pines, massive lava fields. Be thar.

[namrita]

Originally Posted by ionsmuse

I'm really beginning to think that, for the most part, SS is for fun, gears are for racin'.

That's crazy talk.

Originally Posted by ionsmuse

For those of you who don't know, this is one of the coolest, most unique and scenic parts of Utah. Views of Zion, high mountain Aspens and pines, massive lava fields. Be thar.

Hmmmm...sometimes I REALLY wished I lived out west. You are so lucky you can ride stuff like this any weekend you want. Ah...someday.

[Pedalfaraway]

Here we come. Who needs TBB anyway

[vzman]

I think the reason team big bear isn't putting this event on is because there is not a national in Brian Head this year. Usualy the epic is the week before or after the national. They won't drive up there just for the epic. thats my opinion. Anyway don't piss them off they might try to get in the way of this wonderful event that is unfolding.
Will there be any problems with the resort as in finishing in there parking lot? I hope not. Have we set a date yet or time? I think we should make sure we finish before the pizza place closes for sure
www.veezeman@aol.com

[ionsmuse]

Originally Posted by vzman

Anyway don't piss them off they might try to get in the way of this wonderful event that is unfolding.

I find that hard to believe, hopefully I'm right.

Just a group ride, just a group ride (who are these guys, anyway! ).

[BrendanC]

Mary & I would diggit maybe mid-August?

Hypothetically of course-- I'd be into a good loong group ride in that area on the weekend of the 18th & 19th!

[alizbee]

I would bet with the extensive roads/trails in that area that we could alter the route, maybe lengthen it, add more of the Virgin River singletrack, make it more of a loop than an out and back?

Not that the route is that bad. I actually really like the course. I'm just saying...

[ionsmuse]

I spent a chunk of time this morning combining files, drawing new ones, and generally trying to make Topofusion my b!tch. I was only partly successful, as track analysis tells me the route has a mere 340 feet of climbing, and 67 feet of descending. I may be missing something....



The basic map is I think sufficiently evocative. Basic idea being to start from the upper trailhead (or "town" if you like), take the back part of the BH 100 out, take the upper jeep road to the east of the main Strawberry Point road, hit all of the Virgin River Rim trail, adding a nasty climb on Highway 14, then hook back up on dirt roads and finish back on the "out" part of the BH 100. Singletrack down through the ski area would be a good finish. They have a bar in town, right?

My file says it's 83 miles. Thanks to my hand drawn connectors, it's likely a bit more. It would I think have a good variety of terrain and scenery and plenty of challenge.

Thoughts?

[chadfbrown]

Originally Posted by ionsmuse

I was only partly successful, as track analysis tells me the route has a mere 340 feet of climbing, and 67 feet of descending. I may be missing something....

Sounds like the course might be flat I'm in! When are you thinking about doing this?

[donkey]

Originally Posted by ionsmuse

Thoughts?

When are we doing it?:-)

B

[ionsmuse]

Originally Posted by chadfbrown

Sounds like the course might be flat..When are you thinking about doing this?

Quite. And at 9k.

Gotta be next summer, likely July or later to let the snow melt and things dry out a bit. Beyond that, I have not thought. Anyone have compelling reason to pick certain dates?

[chadfbrown]

Very nice.

[ionsmuse]

Anything going on Saturday, July 5th that would be a deterrent for those one might want in attendance?

[Pedalfaraway]

but I would prefer the classic route so I can compare times to previous efforts.

[ionsmuse]

Alright, July 5th it is! Info here. I'll work on the route map this evening, and play with some ideas to make the directions slightly better and work in as much dirt as possible.

I should note that I have no intention of producing ques or a GPS track, I want to make the trip up to ride, not scout. I'll leave that to others, or no one.

[ionsmuse]

Revised the route a bit to make it harder and more interesting. Thinkering, still.

[Krein]

Originally Posted by ionsmuse

Alright, July 5th it is! Info here. I'll work on the route map this evening, and play with some ideas to make the directions slightly better and work in as much dirt as possible.

I should note that I have no intention of producing ques or a GPS track, I want to make the trip up to ride, not scout. I'll leave that to others, or no one.

OK, so this is a ride, not race. Seems like a more attractive route, with all of Virgin River Rim in there, instead of the funkiness of the BH100 route. I raced the 100 (years ago), so I am tempted to want to "race" the original course, but if we're riding - may as well ride more ST.

I'm sure we can piece together a "use at your own risk" GPS track for the route. I've got data for all of the Virgin River Rim, and I'm sure there are tracks of BH100 out there (that was pre-GPS for me, believe it or not!). A few drawn-in connector roads are OK.

BTW, the link in your signature is broken. Elsewhere you've got it right.

[ionsmuse]

Ride, race, when does one stop and the other begin? I'm of the mindset to ride it fast and efficiently, and then have a burger and beer after. My only other goal will be to beat Chad. Plus I haven't ridden any of the western VRR, and one should never pass on the option of adding a 1000' plus climb for no vital reason.

I've been slowly working on understanding Topofusion, I'm sure my impending Garmin ownership will accelerate that process. At that point we should definitely figure something out) (And thanks for the heads up about the link.)

[Krein]

Originally Posted by ionsmuse

Ride, race, when does one stop and the other begin? I'm of the mindset to ride it fast and efficiently, and then have a burger and beer after. My only other goal will be to beat Chad.

I guess I'm of the mindset that if people are going to be competitive, call a spade a spade.

But that's just me.

[chadfbrown]

Originally Posted by ionsmuse

My only other goal will be to beat Chad.

Some goals are never meant to be attained rather they are just out there, spurring us on, like a chase in the wind.

Read of an idea of a race/ride idea that sounded fun, like a poker race/ride, could be doable up in the white mtns or prescott. There are playing cards hidden along the trail, person with the best hand to come back to camp wins (need to remember poker rules for this one... or maybe we could play texas hold'em). White mtns since it has a history with stuff like that... cards.

[ionsmuse]

Originally Posted by chadfbrown

Some goals are never meant to be attained rather they are just out there, spurring us on, like a chase in the wind.

A chase in the wind? Getting excessively metaphoric on us, are ya?!

Scott, this may well reflect my ambivalent relationship with my own competitiveness, a desire for increased PR-ability, or just my comfort with ambiguity. At this point I don't see it as more than an excessively formal group ride invite, anyway.

[frejwilk]

This thread has my interest. With any luck I might be in New Mexico on this date, but that's a whole other thread. If I'm around, this would be fun.

Originally Posted by chadfbrown

Read of an idea of a race/ride idea that sounded fun, like a poker race/ride, could be doable up in the white mtns or prescott. There are playing cards hidden along the trail, person with the best hand to come back to camp wins (need to remember poker rules for this one... or maybe we could play texas hold'em). White mtns since it has a history with stuff like that... cards.

After thinking a lot about 'set routes' and 'advertising', this type of idea has been on my mind. Maybe not so much a poker hand to win anything. The idea being more to set up certain places with chips (not fritos) that folks would need to bring back to the start. No set route, just place the chips to encourage people to travel through an area a certain way. The fastest route might be obvious or not. Either way a 'set route' wouldn't be marked. Maybe another thread for these ideas..

I'm also comfortable with ambiguity. Race/ ride, call it what you want. Folks will ride in races and race in rides. I figure that the promise of providing finishing times should be enough to let people know what's going on. If they're not provided, I would only consider something a race against oneself.

FW

[chadfbrown]

Originally Posted by frejwilk

After thinking a lot about 'set routes' and 'advertising', this type of idea has been on my mind. Maybe not so much a poker hand to win anything. The idea being more to set up certain places with chips (not fritos) that folks would need to bring back to the start. No set route, just place the chips to encourage people to travel through an area a certain way. The fastest route might be obvious or not. Either way a 'set route' wouldn't be marked. Maybe another thread for these ideas..

I'm also comfortable with ambiguity. Race/ ride, call it what you want. Folks will ride in races and race in rides. I figure that the promise of providing finishing times should be enough to let people know what's going on. If they're not provided, I would only consider something a race against oneself.

Fred, I like that twist on it. Sweeping for the chips after the race might be interesting, maybe waypoint where all the chips are on the course so it is easier to get em.

The beauty of the poker game is that it fits with something in Showlow (as the name suggests, the city was named after a poker game). I think mtn biking races/rides need to start to get creative; the idea of a stage race or something similar to the aforementioned idea trumps any 24 hour race where we do circles. See Dave's Prescott Monster Cross as a great example of how to get creative with a race/ride.

Updated: the best part of these style of races is that you would never really get lost since there is not set track (I have had a few problems with that recently).

[chadfbrown]

Originally Posted by ionsmuse

A chase in the wind? Getting excessively metaphoric on us, are ya?!

I knew you'd like that. I was sipping on Earl Grey tea when I wrote it, eating oatmeal and raisins, quite a profound time in my life to write something erudite and consequential.

[ionsmuse]

Originally Posted by chadfbrown

...eating oatmeal and raisins...

[Krein]

Originally Posted by ionsmuse

Scott, this may well reflect my ambivalent relationship with my own competitiveness, a desire for increased PR-ability, or just my comfort with ambiguity.

As long as you're aware of the cognitive dissonance...

Ride, race, what's in a name?

Unless a big trip of some kind conflicts, I hope to make this one. It's been too long since I've ridden near Brian Head.

[frejwilk]

Originally Posted by chadfbrown

I like that twist on it. Sweeping for the chips after the race might be interesting, maybe waypoint where all the chips are on the course so it is easier to get em.

The beauty of the poker game is that it fits with something in Showlow (as the name suggests, the city was named after a poker game). I think mtn biking races/rides need to start to get creative; the idea of a stage race or something similar to the aforementioned idea trumps any 24 hour race where we do circles. See Dave's Prescott Monster Cross as a great example of how to get creative with a race/ride.

Updated: the best part of these style of races is that you would never really get lost since there is not set track (I have had a few problems with that recently).

Chad,

That's a large part of what I've been thinking. The instigator of these rides would hopefully be very creative with these points. They shouldn't be hard to find, just placed strategically. It would make course layout more interesting, as there wouldn't be one. More time would be spent figuring out the area in general, than on specific intersections or sections of the trail. Sure someone might get lost, but that happens to some of us all the time. It would eliminate any debate over shortcutting or using alternate routes as cheating. Prescott Monstercross is definitely one of the inspirations for this idea.

I definitely like the idea of theming stuff to the ride area, instigators' personality, etc.. That's been a big part of the rides I like.

Relating a little more back to the original theme of the post, I think this might fit with any discussion over providing ques, maps, GPS points etc.. If this ride isn't too serious then nothing might need to be placed. Let everyone know they are to hit point x, y, and z, or ride trail a, then b, then c, or something along those lines. If people were looking to take things more seriously, then someone would place 'evidence' at some key spots.

On a less relevant note. Having GPS tracks for these rides isn't that attractive to me personally. Probably because I don't have one. Because of my inexperience with it, I can't say whether having GPS points are an advantage, but myself, I always look back fondly on time spent figuring out where to go... At least when I'm not following Stefan G. No knock on anyone else's methods, just a different view.

FW

[ionsmuse]

I'll warn you guys right now that putting that sort of race together takes a lot more work than one might think. Next time, I'll want some co-conspirators.

The main reason I want a GPS is because good maps are so hard to come by, though Topofusion is a pretty sweet tool for sorting that end out.

[alizbee]

This made for interesting reading tonight. So I bumped it up. I am planning on the 5th. I love that area down there and have been depressed about no BH100 happening. But hey, why pay $150 to do it, when you can do it for free!

[ionsmuse]

Originally Posted by alizbee

...why pay $150 to do it, when you can do it for free!

As of now I'm toying with the idea of canyoneering in Zion the day after, too. More on that later.

[tk421onthemic]

Originally Posted by alizbee

This made for interesting reading tonight. So I bumped it up. I am planning on the 5th. I love that area down there and have been depressed about no BH100 happening. But hey, why pay $150 to do it, when you can do it for free!

Indeed, thanks for bumping it up. Looks like a no-brainer, I'm going to pencil it in on the calendar.