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Route FAQ

This page will list all the general questions asked by teams and my answers – some of them may not be all that frequently asked but maybe should be!

Specific questions about route planning or team logistics will not be published on this page unless I think all teams need some clarification on the point raised. This is to ensure that teams who are just checking that there solution to a particular route problem is within the rules or spirit of the event don’t have their “cunning plan” published for all to see and steal!

Question: There are few CPs whose location seems to be a little askew - 213, 221, 316.
Answer: Well spotted! So much cutting and pasting and tweaking of various routes going on its pretty much impossible to get it all correct! Other point is a lot of them are saved from a mapping package originally and automatic rounding by the computer can lead to the ref being to the nearest corner of a 10m grid square rather than the one containing the CP.
  • 213 - Should be GR021858
  • 221 - Should be GR034019
  • 316 - Should be GR992120
Question: Is there a downloadable version for memory map, I think this may have been available last year ?
Answer: Not much take-up last year of Memory Map version so facility was not offered this year. However, I will probably be generating MM version for myself - when I do I can arrange for it to be put on the web site. Manual plotting is useful because it helps identify incorrect Grid Refs for the teams who dont have memory map (see above)! UPDATE: use this: HCFINALROUTE08.mmo
Question: When road bikers get off their bikes and run do they normally carry a lock with them or does everybody dump bikes anywhere and go?
Answer: I've done about 10 of these races in the Hebrides and teams have left bikes lying around all over the place without any problems - but it’s entirely up to you and at your own risk!
Question: With regards to the gaps in the route ie missing CPs and legs, are they all ‘secret sections’, or is it possible that some of the gaps in number are due to the way in which the 5 person challenge route was adapted to make the Adventure route without kayak?? Basically, how many ‘secret sections’ are there and on which days?
Answer: My little note in Stef's route email answers the first part - the routes are all based on the Challenge version. For ease of discussion at briefings etc I deliberately left the Leg IDs and Checkpoint numbers the same even although fours and pairs do not cover it all. As for "Secret" sections - I fear Stef sent out the full version of each route and took away all my surprises - but you never know - I may come up with a couple of new ones!
Question: For sections detailed as '1 bike between 2', can both people ride the same bike, or does one HAVE to run?
Answer: Definitely NOT two on a bike and tandems are not allowed!
Question: Q&A 6 Not so much a question just some incorrect checkpoints – thank you Lars! A couple of genuine errors, three others caused by a last minute removal of another checkpoint and a failure to adjust the comments, and a couple of checkpoints had grid references transposed! My comments are in bold.
Answer:
  • Tuesday, line 26: Do you mean "... ferried to CP220" – yes I do
  • Tuesday, line 28: Do you mean "... portage to CP222" - yes I do
  • Tuesday, line 29: Do you mean "CP223 must be ..." - yes I do
  • Wednesday, line 27: Do you mean ref 969158 - I'm going for 968158
  • Wednesday, line 28: Do you mean ref 982142 - yes I do
  • Thursday, line 19: Do you mean ref 109353 - yes I do
  • Thursday, line 29: Do you mean ref 102386 - yes I do
  • Thursday, line 30: Do you mean ref 137402 - yes I do
  • Friday, line 1: Do you mean ref 137402 - yes I do
  • Friday, line 19: Do you mean ref 309480 - Next junction along at 313482

These and other errors are fixed in Version 1.2 of the route (downloadable from the home page).

Question: It just occurred to me that there is a leg number on the routes. Does this mean we can only transition between participants at these points? (In which case I'm going to need to change my route plans!). Or can we 'pass the baton' at any point?
Answer: Changeovers can be done during a leg as often as you like – as long as the required number of people are out at all times. Time Trial legs are intended to be done by individuals – if you use more than one person you would just be eliminated from the TT but team time would count for leg.
Question: Which is the definitive version of the route? Excel, Memory Map or Google Earth?
Answer: The Excel version will always be the “Official” route description – the latest Memory Map version is accurate but the Google Earth (because of the need to convert to a different co-ordinate system) version is close but not quite spot on!
Question: Can we use the A857 for legs R513 and R514 on the last day?
Answer: No – Reference to CP519 in essential information should be to CP521.