MILENIO TITAN DESERT by GAES

The MILENIO TITAN DESERT by GAES MTB MARATHON is a race in which orientation is fundamental. Here we will explain how to use the items that will be of most use in finding your way during the race. The use of the roadbook, the compass and a GPS device, recommended by the organisation, will be of vital importance, both for those who are competing to win and those whose goal is simply to finish the race.

During some of the stages there will be areas where orientation and navigation are of prime importance. The number of course markers will be kept to a minimum and directions will be accompanied by headings, some recommended GPS waypoints, and some waypoints which must be passed.

The maps

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A map is a two-dimensional representation of all or part of the spherical globe. Here we will concentrate on the information needed to read one correctly.

First off, there is the scale, which may be represented in two ways, either numerically or graphically. In the first case, the numbers indicate the relationship between the actual distance and the distance on paper. If there is a scale on a map of, for example, 1:10,000, it means that 1 centimetre on the map corresponds to 10,000 centimetres, or 10 metres, of terrain. If you look at various different maps, you will see that the first number is always 1 and that the second can differ. The larger it is, the larger the surface of the globe represented and, consequently, the less precise it is.

A graphic scale has the same function but uses a line with divisions which represents real measurements in metres (normally corresponding to the second number on a numerical scale) and which serves as an example to use for taking measurements on the map.

Contour lines

Another important feature of a map is the contour lines, which are a way of representing elevations of the land on paper. They are imaginary lines which unite points situated at the same elevation above sea level. The succession of lines and the use of different colour shading enable you to form a mental representation of the contours of the land.

The contour lines always have equidistant elevations between them and they vary according to the scale of the map. Every x number of metres you will find a master contour which indicates the elevation of that line. In between the lines you have to add or subtract the space between them from the value of the master contour in order to find the exact elevation.

In order to orient the map the first thing to remember is that the top of the map always represents north. With this in mind, you then locate two or three easily recognisable landmarks (a house, mountain peak, river, etc.) and identify them on the map. If you align these points with their representations on the map you will know where north is and be able to interpret the rest of the map so as to decide which direction to take.

The compass

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The compass enables you to know where north and the other cardinal points are in order to orient the map, find out which direction to take, or trace a route. It is the most important navigational tool, but it must be used in conjunction with a map. The most important part of the compass is the magnetic needle, which always points to magnetic north. You must be careful if you are near other magnetic objects, such as the frame of your mountain bike (if it's made of ferrous metal), because these will affect the direction in which the needle points and can cause navigational errors. We'll concentrate here on compasses with a transparent base and a moveable azimuth circle, which are the most economical and have all of the necessary capabilities. The most common use of the compass is to orient the map without the need of identifying landmarks. To do this you simply align the magnetic needle of the compass with the orienting lines on the map.

How to trace a route from your position

In the informational part of each vignette in the roadbook you will find the indication "CAP", which shows the heading which must be followed from that point, for example, CAP 120Âº. In order to follow that heading you simply align the north indicated by the magnetic needle with the N of the azimuth circle (the numbered ring around the compass). The heading 120Âº corresponds to the 120 mark on the azimuth.

The roadbook frequently indicates waypoints, an example of whose format is as follows: N 30Âº 42.966' W 05Âº 22.027' The first number, 30, indicates the time zone, which can be checked with the legend of the map. The following number, 42.966, is the horizontal distance from an auxiliary line (one of the vertical or horizontal lines printed on the map). As you can see in the picture, in addition to the auxiliary lines, maps have numbers at the top and bottom: a small number and two large ones. If you add three zeros to this number you have the measurement of the auxiliary line. The same is true of horizontal lines with the only difference being that there are two small numbers and two large ones to which the three zeros must be added. Now it only remains to measure with a ruler or drafting scale the 966 metres and you will know the position (longitude) on an imaginary vertical line. In order to find your exact position simply perform the same operation with the other number, 4.778.580, (latitude) to find your precise location.

How to locate yourself on the map with the help of a compass

First look around and locate landmarks that appear on the map (mountain peaks, passes, etc.). Once you have found them, locate them on the map. Take the compass and, keeping the north arrow (the red one marked on the transparent base) aligned with magnetic north as indicated by the magnetic needle, look in the direction of one of the landmarks, take note of the degrees and subtract 180Âº. Next, place the compass on the map, align it, and draw a line from the landmark in the direction you obtained after subtracting 180Âº. You then repeat the operation at least three times, ideally with landmarks which are far apart on the horizon. The point where all the lines cross is your position.

The GPS

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The MILENIO TITAN DESERT by GAES recommends the use of a GPS device. We take it for granted that each participant knows how to use their own GPS device.

During the MILENIO TITAN DESERT by GAES the GPS will serve mainly to orient yourself with the waypoints we give you, to provide the maximum amount of information about how far you've come and how far you have left to go at any particular time, and to provide the security of the backtrack feature, which will help you retrace your route if you get lost. In addition, if you have a GPS device that enables you to enter maps of the area, you can make decisions about alternate routes in function of the orography. Careful, though! Sometimes the shortest route is not the fastest.

Waypoints

Both in the roadbook for each stage and in the briefings held each evening you will be given a series of safety waypoints, such as the CPs (check points) and the water points, as well as an occasional waypoint of special interest for the competition. During the race, all waypoints will be given in degrees and decimal minutes, e.g., N 31Âº 40.7400 W 4Âº 11.9334. Datum: WGS 84. The correct reading of which would be: North (because you are in Morocco and above the equator) 31Âº degrees and 40.7400 minutes. West (because you are to the left of the Greenwich meridian) 4Âº and 11.9334 minutes.

To enter and save a waypoint on a GPS device serves to identify a location which you wish to remember in order to be able to return to it at another time. If you access the waypoint list stored in the GPS device you can obtain the distance to this point and the GPS device will guide you in reaching it (basic navigation).

The route

Navigation consists in following a series of points laid out so as to form a route. A GPS device does not know the off-road trails you must follow to go from one point to another. It can only indicate the straight line distance to the next waypoint and the direction in which that point can be found. You can navigate with the GPS device in conjunction with a compass or using the map screen (which shows local maps), which will enable you to get a general idea of the route and the exact position of the next waypoints that have been entered.

The track

This is the record of where you have been as you travel with a GPS device. An exact record of your path is kept by the device, as if you had left a line painted on ground.

There are various uses for this function:

1. To keep a record of the path taken in order to be able to backtrack if necessary. This is fundamental if you get lost during a race.
2. To know if you are going around in circles.
3. To keep a record which will enable you to trace your route on a map afterwards.

Advice

Don't forget replacement batteries. You'll use a lot of batteries during the race.
Don't throw the used ones away. Keep them for recycling. Let's keep the desert clean.

The Roadbook

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The roadbook describes the course and is provided by the organisation each day.

It contains the following:
1. A brief description of the stage.
2. An explanation of the symbols used in the roadbook.
3. The elevation of the stage.
4. The location of check points and water points.
5. The vignettes with the corresponding mileage and directions.
6. Some GPS latitude and longitude coordinates for the most important points: start, finish, CPs and WPs.
7. A small map of the course.

Basic rules

When travelling over land you aren't familiar with, the best procedure is to follow the roadbook rather than risking direct routes between waypoints.

The race days will include the following main events:

1. Delivery of the roadbook on arrival from the previous stage.
2. A briefing at 8pm, each evening, together with the awards ceremony. A summary of the briefing will be posted on the notice board.
3. Start: 8am
4. Check points (CPs) through which all participants must pass. Failure to do so will be penalised by exclusion from the stage.
5. Finish: The last control of each stage. There will a deadline for arrival at the finish line.

RoadBook

Symbols

Elevations

How do you read a roadbook?

The pages of the roadbook are divided into four columns. The information they contain is read horizontally, following the vignettes. The first column on the left shows the total distance covered since the start and the number which corresponds to that line. The next column shows the partial distance covered since the last vignette.

The following column shows the direction to be taken using predefined symbols, and the last column provides information: the heading to take, instructions from the organisation which must be followed or more information about the previous column or a waypoint.

You shouldn't read a roadbook in the literal sense like you would a book. You have to be able to assimilate the information and process the obstacles in a quick glance while pedalling. Your eyes should be glued to the track as much as possible. This is a complex task; hours and hours of training are required in order to be able to ride smoothly without stops. These will be inevitable, though, under certain circumstances in order to re-establish the correct heading.

Mileage and directions

GPS coordinates

Homework

The night before the stage is for planning and working on the roadbook. Devise a strategy and show up at the start line with a clear idea of how the stage is going to proceed. Visual memory is especially important in this type of race.

For this reason you should conscientiously revise and prepare the roadbook for the next day.

Advice

As a general rule, in the desert the shortest path between two points is not a straight line, since you could find places along that path that are difficult to access or cross. Normally, the fastest path will be the main track.

Be wary. Following the rider in front of you may cause you to make a mistake. If you are sure of the route, make your own decisions. The race is often decided by not following the leaders. Trust in your own navigation skills.

If you get lost it's better to turn around and go back to the last point you're sure of. To pedal along without a clear route is a waste of both mental and physical energy. And you'll probably end up even more lost.

You are reminded that the roadbook must be delivered intact at the finish.
Ripping pages from it and littering the ground with them is forbidden and subject to penalty.