My First points type rally - HELP !

[Wolfhound]

I had hoped to get a pm back about this but decided it may benefit others with rally prep for the first time.

I've entered the LOE which will be my first scavenger hunt type rally. I've completed an AZ SS1K and do many 700 to 900 mile days but think the rally idea may be something I'd like. I need a little expert advice on equipment & how to.

So far I think I'll mark the bonuses on a paper map & then try to route for points/miles/time, then check on mapping program.

How do you decide how many points to go after ?(Maybe not a valid question)

Do you use a mapping program from laptop to check mileage, route, etc? If so which program is best ?

What type of Polaroid camera is normally used ? I have an old Job Pro & also a One Step Polaroid that use 600 film.

What type of flares are required ? How many ? First Aid Kit ?(I carry a fairly nice one)

I've searched most LD sites & others accounts of rallys but not sure if I'm on track or need something I'm overlooking.

Any help or direction I can get will be much appreciated. I would like to show up somewhat prepaired but not sure what to expect . . .

 

[SkooterG]

Sorry Robert, a reply will be coming soon. :sorry:

 

[Ignacio]

The ultra-crash course....in the Jim Owen method....ultra-simplified. Use Streets and Trips (or another program could work)

Decide how many miles you think you likely can cover during the period...or the legs. Be slightly conservative. Keep it in the back of your mind.

Take the packet Ira gives you and enter every single point you can into S&T as "pushpins". Don't try and route at this point. Give the points a code like: 3b day 2754 e. That's the bonus from page 3 that's in the second position (the 'b'), it's only available during daylight hours, it's 2754 points, and you're not sure exactly where it is, but the area. If you want to get tricky code the pushpins with other data. Maybe a triangle is worth 1,000 to 5,000 points, circles are under 1,000, and flags are over 5,000. Maybe colors mean something....time availability of a bonus.

That's the hard part that shows nothing for your work immediately. In the IBR I spent 3 1/2 hours doing that before I even tried a route.

After you enter in the pushpins zoom out and just look at possible "loops" between "clusters" of points. How might you build a route that takes in those clusters? Any obvious big point items that can be combined with smaller items to build a big route? Does that fit into the guestimate of mileage before?

Patterns will develop since you devoted time to put in the data. This part actually goes more quickly because you committed to the earlier process. Then by adding pushpins to the route you get a list of points that conveniently have their points in the title. It goes very quickly to add possibe points up in your head.

Then try other scenarios to see what route adds up to the most potential. The pushpin method also pays dividends here because you don't have to reenter one bit of data...unlike if you had tried to route to begin with.

Gut check it. Decide if you have bale-out options. Then go ride your plan!

Easy-piecey-Japanesey.

Optional would be something like GPSU to download from S&T to a GPS.

Here's a blow-up of Leg 2 of the IBR from S&T as an example of 3 1/2 hours work and about 2 hours routing and deciding.

The other stuff is probably a bit more specific. Flares or flashy things...any First Aid kit you wish you would have available if you hurt yourself is my mantra.

Your Polaroid 600 is the standard camera used by most. Some have the kind that sort of fold up to save a little space, but I wouldn't go out and get a new one for your first rally.

 

[Wolfhound]

I thought this might be worth sharing with others as I've spent many, many hours looking for answers but not finding them anywhere. I've read many accounts of rallying but have not seen much to help a noob get his feet wet as far as prep. I don't have any close friends that are into IBA type stuff so I'm alone, blindly stumbling into this . . .

 

[mjac]

Here is Jim Owens' method:

https://alaska.derrickandlove.net/The%20Jim...'Method.htm

Enjoy

 

[Wolfhound]

Thank Iggy & Skoot. Mike Thanks, I had not found that article - VERY helpful !

So most carry 2 basic traffic flares or ?

 

[Ignacio]

Thank Iggy & Skoot. Mike Thanks, I had not found that article - VERY helpful !
So most carry 2 basic traffic flares or ?

I carry two little battery operated flashers I got as swag at a trade show once..mainly because flares are relatively heavy. The only rally that requires them for me is the Utah 1088 and they just specify flashers...not that they be flares.

 

[rickcorwn]

Thank Iggy & Skoot. Mike Thanks, I had not found that article - VERY helpful !
So most carry 2 basic traffic flares or ?

I carry two little battery operated flashers I got as swag at a trade show once..mainly because flares are relatively heavy. The only rally that requires them for me is the Utah 1088 and they just specify flashers...not that they be flares.

I've never been in a rally that required any flares or flashers but here's what I carry. I got it at Campmor. They have a bunch more here.

* Small and lightweight.

* Flashes 50-60 times per minute for up to 16 hours; continues at a diminishing rate for up to 40 additional hours.

* Visibility range up to 3 miles.

* 300,000 candle power.

* Sealed magnetic sliding on/off switch.

* Waterproof case with shatter resistant acrylic lens cover.

* Side offset locking pin lets you attach strobe to PFD, backpack or belt, for quick response access.

* Uses one 'D' cell alkaline battery (not included).

* USCG and SOLAS approved.

* Wt. 3oz. (without battery).

 

[jwhite518]

How do you decide how many points to go after ?(Maybe not a valid question)

I don't look at it that way. You're trying to get as many points as possible for the number of miles you think you can ride. In a typical 24 hr rally as a newbie you're looking at between 1000 and 1200. If you plan a BBG you won't make it. Aim at the high point bonii, the clusters of bonii, and the easy low points bonii that are right next to your route.

Do you use a mapping program from laptop to check mileage, route, etc? If so which program is best ?

You've gotten a great primer from Ignacio and Jim Owen on using the computer. I like MS Streets & Trips. HOWEVER, in a 24 hr rally it all depends on how long you have the bonus listing. If you get it the night before you can play with the computer to your heart's content. If you get it 45 minutes before the rally starts, you don't have time to mess with the computer. Use a paper map because it's faster. You need to get your ass out on the road. The first few times you plan a rally in 45 minutes you will suck, and you'll wonder how Jeff Earls and George Zelenz managed to see such a different route. After awhile you'll get better at it. (you hope.)

 

[vectervp1]

I'm a paper map person personally. Like jwhite518 said, in a 24 hour rally, you may not have the time to type it out on a laptop. You also then have to figure out how your going to get the streets and trip info from your laptop to your GPS. Not a biggie if you get the route the night before (which I think you do in the LOE1000), but if you get it the morning of, it may be an issue.

I mark out each bonus listing on a paper map of the area, write down the bonus number, and the points. If its a time bonus, I write that down too. Something to the effect of 24-1200 3:00-4:30. When your done, look at the map and see where the points are. Usually, you'll start to see that bonuses are either in clusters, or there is a route that you can take to bag a ton of points.

See when your checkpoints open and close. Use a different color pen, and in big letters write down when it opens and closes. Make sure you can make each checkpoint, and see what bonuses are possible between you and each checkpoint. On paper its harder, but see if you can cover that distance and still make it to the checkpoint.

Don't forget to leave yourself time to bag the bonus. Some you can get in a minute or two, others will take you 10+ minutes.

In your GPS, make the checkpoints something like AA1, AA2, AA3, AAAEnd so they will be at the top of your favorites listing. Some suggest making the hotel your 'home' listing so when your tired at 4:00am and heading back to the barn, you just have to say 'go home' and not worry about it.

Constantly track where you are, and where you thought you should be. If your behind schedule (GPS says you'll arrive at the checkpoint with 2 min to spare, or late) start dropping bonuses and head for the checkpoint. The only thing worse than not bagging an easy bonii is not finishing.

Oh yeah, and don't crash...

 

[Wolfhound]

I just checked the site & flares are not required. Thanks rickcorwn , I will snag a couple of battery powered ones sometime.

Thanks vectorvp1, Great way to map it out. Bonus sheets will be handed out the night before on this rally.

Great info for all us new to rallys, keep it coming please !

Mounted & balanced my PR2s today, they seem a bit soft & thin but time will tell . . .Front end all apart & putting in ALL BALLS neck bearings.

 

[Joe2Lmaker]

In your GPS, make the checkpoints something like AA1, AA2, AA3, AAAEnd so they will be at the top of your favorites listing. Some suggest making the hotel your 'home' listing so when your tired at 4:00am and heading back to the barn, you just have to say 'go home' and not worry about it.
Constantly track where you are, and where you thought you should be. If your behind schedule (GPS says you'll arrive at the checkpoint with 2 min to spare, or late) start dropping bonuses and head for the checkpoint. The only thing worse than not bagging an easy bonii is not finishing.

Oh yeah, and don't crash...

Paper maps are still an option? I've been getting the impression that a laptop and mapping GPS were essentials.

 

[Ignacio]

Paper maps are still an option? I've been getting the impression that a laptop and mapping GPS were essentials.

Not 100%. There are some old school folks that route with maps and then run GPS on the fly for basic features. It could be an interesting rally concept if an RM locks everybody in a room with only maps and ban GPS for an event.

I might be oversimplifying, but I saw Skooter in the IBR with maps scattered across the floor, a laptop as sort of quasi-security blanket, head on fire, and babbling, "I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO GO!"

However, Chicken Little must have had some gyroscope in his head or something and seemed to snag 6th place. Could we see him starting to roll cigarette butts across a map...uttering, "200, 400, 600....3 cigarette butts equals 600 miles."?

 

[vectervp1]

However, Chicken Little must have had some gyroscope in his head or something and seemed to snag 6th place. Could we see him starting to roll cigarette butts across a map...uttering, "200, 400, 600....3 cigarette butts equals 600 miles."?

7th, he got 7th. Don't give him too much credit. His ego has already consumed much of the Phoenix metro area.

While I agree on a multiday rally a laptop and a GPS are much more effective. You sometimes cant see the big picture when your looking at 4 different state maps, or when your looking at the entire western US. Taking an extra half hour or hour over the period of 3-4 days is small.

In a 24 hour rally where you typically stay in one (sometimes two) states, paper maps can be as effective, possibly more effective if your not familiar with your routing software, and are not used to doing uploads to your GPS. Also, taking an extra 30 minutes in a 24 hour rally is a pretty substantial amount of time. Sometimes its worth it, sometimes its not. Only you can be the judge of that.

 

[Ignacio]

7th, he got 7th. Don't give him too much credit. His ego has already consumed much of the Phoenix metro area.

Ooopsie. I'll make sure and congratulate him again on his 8th place finish the next time I see him....to try and even things out.

 

[stryg8r]

Paper maps are still an option? I've been getting the impression that a laptop and mapping GPS were essentials.

Not 100%. There are some old school folks that route with maps and then run GPS on the fly for basic features. It could be an interesting rally concept if an RM locks everybody in a room with only maps and ban GPS for an event.

Some of those wacky Midwesterner's are doing just that...

https://chaos.mnldriders.com/unplugged/

 

[Ignacio]

Some of those wacky Midwesterner's are doing just that...
https://chaos.mnldriders.com/unplugged/

That's what I'm talking about Willis!

Except for the ban on a good V1...I'd be all over that.

 

[stryg8r]

While I agree on a multiday rally a laptop and a GPS are much more effective. You sometimes cant see the big picture when your looking at 4 different state maps, or when your looking at the entire western US. Taking an extra half hour or hour over the period of 3-4 days is small.
In a 24 hour rally where you typically stay in one (sometimes two) states, paper maps can be as effective, possibly more effective if your not familiar with your routing software, and are not used to doing uploads to your GPS. Also, taking an extra 30 minutes in a 24 hour rally is a pretty substantial amount of time. Sometimes its worth it, sometimes its not. Only you can be the judge of that.

Very True!

And laptop mapping gives one even less of an advantage during a shorter 12 hour rally. In fact they may even be a slight disadvantage. Paper map users are normally out the door long before the computer geeks are ready to roll. As evidenced at this years Buffalo Run rally. The winner only used paper maps. Here's some of the folks during the planning of that rally. Notice all the paper maps being used. They far outnumbered the computer users.

https://www.network54.com/Forum/152868/mess...uffalo+Run+2007

 

[Joe2Lmaker]

Some of those wacky Midwesterner's are doing just that...
https://chaos.mnldriders.com/unplugged/

I wish I had known about this one earlier. Looks likes fun. At least now I know about Minnesota LD Riders.

O.K. sorry about the highjack.

To get this back on track, what about Google or Yahoo! maps?

That feature Yahoo! has where you can map gas stations... very cool. Used it this past spring to maximize distance between stops. Plus it's easy to get GPS coordinates from Yahoo! but I don't know how one would get that into a GPS.

Garmin mapping GPS with satellite Yahoo! that would work. Edit: Sould read "that would work for me" If it existed...