Tips & Tricks
1) GPS:
Every riding day you get a direct route which makes a straight line from way point to way point. If you choose to click through the way points automatically, you only have to activate this route. Make sure that your route point passage is set for 50 Metres, go to: routes / press menu ‘route point passage / set route part transition on distance and set the ray for 50 and the distance box on M (Metres). Notice that navigating is set on off road. When your GPS is set for navigation via roads, the route can become extremely long, as it will follow roads. You can set up the route as follows: set up / route / method of guidance: not via roads. If you have taken a wrong trail, choose for: stop navigating. After this you never choose for ‘start navigating from last point’ because the compass needle will keep pointing to the missed way point. When you are back at the right situation of the road book, just activate the route of that day and your GPS will do the rest.
Set up at your compass needle menu 4 data fields:
- Previous track in decimals / so no wind direction. This track is the direction which you are going, for example road book average 180 degree.
- Distance to next way point. Distance should get smaller, so you know you’re going the right way.
- Way point at ‘next’ at the screen the destination appears. Here you put the name of the next way point. This way point is mentioned in the road book as number: for example 9513. The good thing is that the compass needle will show where the destination is at.
- Is of no importance, you can choose for distance or maximum speed. When you choose for maximum speed you can see if there is a change of penalty time.
2) ICO or IMO:
The wheel circumference should be set for standard 21 Inch wheels at 2.11 (ICO). As the distances of the road book are being determined by the GPS, it is easy to determine the wheel circumference. Ride a more bigger distance without wheel spin or intense usage of the brakes and preferably on a flat road. Say for example your GPS shows a distance of 50 Km. The ICO should show the same.
3) Road book holder:
Adjust a piece of plastic to the axe / for example cut a thin A4 storage cover in A5 strokes.
It is very easy to tape the road book against. A gear wheel road book is heavy to spin around by hand when it’s broken. A road book with straps always works.
4) Lubricating the chain etc.:
Preferably use some kind of environment mat at the base camp. Of course a piece of plastic will also do. Oil, lubricating grease and gas will always leave traces and you can imagine this doesn’t make the people where we spend the night at very happy!
5) Clothing and back pack:
Besides the regular things, we give you a few tips: motorcycling boots with neoprene inner shoes are pretty nice for rally sports. Think about walking at the bivouac. But with wet feet your feet will never get cold.
Bicycle sports rain clothing is perfect. A thin rain jacket (can also be worn under your coat) will keep you warm or dry. This is also the case with wind stopping bicycle gloves.
When you also have an enduro jacket with a big back part/pocket where you can put the jacket, the sleeves of the enduro jacket and the gloves together with the safety blanket and some power bars, you are rally ready.
Bring a small waterproof back pack together with a 3 Litres camel bag.
Plastic zip bags are great for your wallet and phone. A small hand compass can prevent you from walking circles in case of trouble. And of course a map which best can be bought at a (local) gas station.
Least but not last: a pencil will always write!!