Dixie 311

[Carney]

What's the possibility of doing this route in the fall? 

I gots me a weddin' to go to that weekend.

[DaveH]

It could be super in the fall.  Lots of Aspen country.  Of course you'd be at the whims of ma nature.  Could be rideable until sometime in Nov, or could get shut out in Sept. 

The beauty of summer solstice timing is, well, it's summer solstice!  Maybe your friends can change their wedding to the fall?   

[wookieone]

Hey Dave, what is the start like there? Is there a place to camp/leave a vehicle? I am thinking of doing this but potentially have a short window of time, would have to drive down the night before and leave the day after finishing, this is assuming I can/will finish in about three days. There are a few things in the way of this happening, but should know soon, looks too cool to miss out on, Thanks Jefe

[DaveH]

We'll start in the small town of Parowan and do a neutral roll out (about 4 miles of pavement I think) to a big national forest service climb.  There is wide open primitive camping on the forest lands not far from town, and I'll look for the best place to leave vehicles during the ride.  Probably next to the popo    You can also stay at my place if you like but it's 90 minutes from the start and in the wrong direction for you.

I can't believe you are already thinking about the next one, what an animal!  Looking forward to riding with you for sure.  I think 3 days will be doable for you - it's a Grand Loop level of effort route I'd imagine, maybe just a touch more.

[wookieone]

Thanks for the info Dave. I was thinking of this prior to the AZT 300, and I don't plan on going at this as hard, and yeah I am a suffering fiend?! I was once thinking Grand Loop, but this looks pretty damn cool and totally unknown. My Dad maybe coming to Gunny sometime in June, and I need to secure a few days off, but if that stuff works out, i need to do some research on the course and plan, plan plan, so hopefully I should be there....jefe

[wdlandparker]

looks like an awesome race for a first timer!

[DaveH]

looks like an awesome race for a first timer!

In some ways, yes, in others, not so much...the 311 route takes in some regions that are extremely remote/difficult to access.

However - for the first timer there will also be a "Dixie-Lite" course that is about 160 miles with about 20k' vert.  It keeps some of the best trails, removes the extremely remote areas, has a LOT of singletrack, and lots of water/services on route.

It will start the following day, Sat morning at 8 AM.

[Chad B]

However - for the first timer there will also be a "Dixie-Lite" course ....

"Dixie Lite"...I like how that sounds. It could be the name of a microbrew that could be enjoyed after the race. As race organizer, Dave, do you want to look into making some beer for the after partay?

[DaveH]

Copy that    A full-bodied 311 brew and a Dixie-lite, coming up!  Oh wait this is Utah, there must be laws against that, hmmmmmm

It's worth mentioning, if I haven't yet - that the prime motivation for the timing of this event is so that it fits in nicely with a CTR preparation.  The "lite" version isn't really that lite - level of effort is considerably more than KTR, for example - so based on what one thinks they need to get ready for CTR there are options.

Or, you can just come and hammer the bejeezus out of either.  Or just cruise with eyes wide open and take in all the sights.  That's the beauty of these things, right?

Just back from a ride where I had to pour some water on my head.  Damn I love this season

[Carney]

The lure of this thing is too big to ignore - I'm outta GL and in for this.  All unknown trails and 5 weeks lead time is much better than a spring full of recon and prep!  

Buuuuut - I'll need to start a bit earlier due to a wedding on the 26th. However, it looks like parts of the course are still under some glaciers. Is that expected to melt out fast or should I pack a toboggan?

[DaveH]

Cool, glad you'll be joining the action.  You just might be the first to complete it if you start early.

Historically everything on the Markagunt (near Brian Head) melts out in June, and the section in the Tushars can take a bit longer.  Whatever happens melt-wise don't be too concerned - I have a strong aversion to bikes + snow and will modify the route to stick to clear terrain.  These changes may be last minute, but I have many options already mapped out.  It would be a shame to miss out on the Skyline trail, but we'll get it sooner or later.

In the meantime, think warmth!  Still in the 60's in the desert, it's an odd spring.  Gore is nutz, global warming is fantasy as far as I can tell...

[mr.hobbs]

Dave, what's your thoughts on the "lite" version for a SS?

[DaveH]

I think it'd be great for SS.  That first climb is pretty big, as are a few others - I've done them on a 32.22 (29er) in relative comfort.

Thunder mountain is fantastic on a SS.  Climbing back up Bunker creek will hurt.
 

[DaveH]

Every event needs an event website these days...right?  I've put one together for the Dixie 311.  It's not complete yet but cool enough to share:  http://2-epic.com/events/dixie311.html

[Chad B]

Linkie is not working.

[ActionJackson]

Here's the good link - http://2-epic.com/events/dixie311.html

Looks like this will hurt a "little"

[Chad B]

Here's the good link - http://2-epic.com/events/dixie311.html

Dave, you website is a head-turner, amazing job. If you build it, they will come. I would not be surprised to see about 10-20 people at the starting line for this one (given the weather, timing, and official-Dave-Harris stamp of approval).

I am trying to recruit a few more nuts to carpool up with us....

[DaveH]

Lots of updates to the site this week.

311 interactive map:  http://2-epic.com/maps/311map.html with lots of other miscellaneous 2-epic GPS files available.

Profiles and cues for 4 of the 7 segments:  http://2-epic.com/maps/routedetail.html

Updated cue sheet:  http://2-epic.com/events/data/Dixie311cuesxml.html

Rules:  http://2-epic.com/events/rules.html

I'll get a spot tracker page on the site as soon as it's ready.  I have it on good authority SPOT units will be hard to come by for this event, all available loaners are headed to Tour Divide.  So, if you don't have one now just might be the time to buy one...

Still a ton of snow on the Markagunt and Tushars - good news is a heatwave is supposed to bear down on the region.  On tap for the weekend is an explory of Segment 4, the Sevier plateau.  Really been looking forward to this one, hope the snow is less than crotch deep

[DaveH]

Change in start date for the 311:  June 26 rather than June 25 to avoid key resupply timing issues.  311 and DLite riders will now start together.

More here:  http://2-epic.com/events/latest.php

Keep in mind these start times are suggested anyway, so if this creates a conflict for you by all means start on the 25th.

[DaveH]

T-15 days and counting!  If you've expressed interest in the event this has already arrived in your email inbox.  Here is some info on latest route/event updates, SPOT event tracking, and when you can expect the final route GPX files.  Hope to see you June 26 


Latest updates

http://2-epic.com/events/latest.php has the latest news on route and event developments.

Start date change for the 311:  the 311 will start on June 26th at 8AM.  It was previously scheduled to start on the 25th (a Friday) but that would likely have the leaders in Circleville on Sunday when the only grocery store in town is closed.  The Dixie Lite start time is unchanged - so we all start together.

SPOT tracker:  Scott Morris/Trackleaders.com will provide a race tracker for the event.  Most available SPOT units are out in Banff for the start of Tour Divide, but there are a few left.  They will be rented out for $25 and are first come/first served.  You supply 2 AA lithiums and return the units promptly post-event.  If you would like to reserve one please shoot an email to smorris@topofusion.com or just reply to this email.  Include the following:

- emergency contact name
- emergency contact phone number

If you have your own SPOT unit and would like to be included in the race tracker just send a link to your SPOT shared page (Scott correct me if you need anything else!). 

Route files

Finalized route GPX tracks will be available on or before June 22.  Lingering snowpack may keep the 311 riders off of the Skyline trail in the Tushars this year (snow in the forecast this weekend!!) but I won’t be able to make that call until the weekend prior to the race.  Length and difficulty will not be significantly changed in any event.

The most recent posted versions of the files are at http://2-epic.com/maps/dixie-lite.kml for the Dixie Lite and http://2-epic.com/maps/dixie311-onlineMap.kml for the 311.  These are in Google’s KML format – TopoFusion has utilities to convert to GPX, and an online converter is available here http://www.gpsvisualizer.com/convert_input.  Both maps (and several others) can be viewed starting here:  http://2-epic.com/maps/311map.html

There is a bit of a twist we’ll throw in the final miles of the Dixie Lite course – it take in Spruces trail on top of Sydney Peaks instead of going up Bunker Creek.  That change has not yet been worked into the above file.

The finalized route files will be in GPX format, one track for each segment, and a separate file for waypoints.