2009 Coconino Geocache DS Run

The CGDSRun is Officially ON!

2009-06-25T19:11:00.001-07:00

That's right!
We are a GO for Juy 17th, 18th, and the 19th this year of 2009.
The course will go over two days and is set to accomodate all riding abilities and desires.

Please RSVP No-Later-Than the 10th of July if you plan to play so we can produce all the necessary Maps and Roll Charts.

The main equipment necessary for game play are:

A street legal DS moto
GPS capable of downloading several routes at once
A roll chart holder
And a very adventurous riding attitude

Check out the When and Where section to the left side of the page for more info.

See you out there!

2009 Geocache DS Run coming this July...

2009-02-19T16:34:00.000-08:00

Hey folks,

Local Flagstaffian and fellow dual-sporter David Zimmerman and I, have teamed up to make this Geocache DS Run a reality this summer of 2009.

The proposed dates are for July 17-19, 2009 in conjunction with the CTR Rider Days. Please stay tuned for updates on this page as Dave and I get the logistics ironed out.

Ride long, ride hard!

-Velocitramp

GPS

2008-09-08T15:50:00.000-07:00

Okay.

So GPS technology has come a long ways sense the pluggers of the military.

If your wondering what sort of unit will do, here's a bit of info:

The primary requirements of which ever unit you use are

It can download data from a computer
It can be mounted to your handlebars

Anything from an old Garmin GPS12, an eTrex to a modern super-wammy Street Pilot will do the job.

I like to make a general categorization of GPS Receivers into Map capable and non-map capable units.

In our game, mostly the GPS unit will be used in compass mode so you can utilize the Compass Bearings as you follow the Route and Roll Charts finding your way along the route and to the hidden GeoCaches.

The Compass Bearings (guided by your Roll Chart) will be more important in some sections than just following the Route alone, due to constant satellite loss. When we get out to the Cinder Hills OHV area, this will be most important!

One advantage of the Map capable units is the software will allow rerouting if one "gets lost."

However, I must send a word of caution to the wise: Many of the roads available on the current GPS mapping software for all the makes of GPS units are incomplete and even inaccurate!

The maps I will provide will have many of my own additional data not available on any public maps of software (but instead from my own innumerable hours of exploration and mapping! What fun!)
That along with the Waypoint Key (and a headlamp if it gets really bad) will get you out of trouble.

Just ride within your ability and hopefully with a good buddy!

Vendor List

2008-09-07T19:28:00.000-07:00

Roll Chart Holder
Arrowhead Motorsports
TPI Motorcycle Parts
Moose Racing
Dual Star (Phone Orders only)
Ebay listings

Space Blankets
Campmor
Heavier-duty spaceblanket/shelter

Strobe
Princetontec Aqua Strobe (this has been the strobe I have used for a long time and is the choice of many Adventure Racers)

Map Holders

I modified a standard trail vinyl holder to attach onto the handlebars of my bike using a sewing machine. Some folks use bar-bags, rolls, or tank bags, which all cost no less than $40.
If you need an excuse to go buy one, check out Wolfman Luggage, Dual-Star and Motorcycle-Superstore.

An economic solution would be to buy some double-sided adhesive Velcro to attach a Vinyl Map Holder to your tank...then use Goo-Gone to remove the gunk.

No matter what you do, it is highly recommended that you have the appropriate maps at view's ready.

Anyhow, here's another possibilty:
REI Bar mounted Map Holder

Good Prices, too!

When and Where?

2008-09-07T18:08:00.001-07:00

Geocache GPS Run
When: July 17, 18 & 19, 2009

Where: Coconino Co National Forest in Flagstaff AZ

Friday:
6-8pm at Macy Coffee House ( located at 10 S. Beaver St, Flagstaff AZ 86001) for:
Downloading GPS files
Recieving Roll Charts
General Game Play instructions.

Saturday:
Starts: 7am sharp for a 7:30am start from Macy's Coffee House (Macy's opens at 6am) for Day 1 Loop.
Be ready with a FULL TANK of FUEL!
We start together through the town of Flagstaff to the beginning of track
(then it's madness from there!).
Finish: 6pm in time for organized group BBQ for war stories, food and BEER! Pot luck- feel free to add to the feast! Location details TBA.

Sunday:
Start: 8am at Macy's Coffee House for Day 2 Loop. We Start together once again to the beginning of the track.
Finish: NLT 8pm at Beaver Street Brewery (across the street from Macy's) for the best local beer and amazing food.

Waypoint and Route Files

2008-09-07T18:07:00.000-07:00

Coming soon!

Camping Information

2008-09-07T18:06:00.001-07:00

There are reportedly nearly one hundred motel/hotel options in the area.
Camping in the National Forest is permited up to 14 days with certain areas open to responisble ground fire pit use.
Campgrounds with facilities are available in the area as well...I will gather locations and other info soon!

Please feel free to contact us with any questions regarding places to park yourself and your machine for the weekend. We will try to provide as much information and resources as possible regarding camping regulations. However, girls and boys, ultimately it will be each rider's responsibility to know the forest regulations.

Roll Chart List

2008-09-07T17:58:00.000-07:00

TBA!!!!

Recommended Equipment

2008-09-07T17:48:00.000-07:00

The Geocache Rally on Saturday is primarily off-road, so one should dress for the occassion...but none of this is required, just HIGHLY recommended. Be safe and make sure you can finish!

1. Boots that give ankle and shin protection such as DS or MX Boots.
2. Full-faced Helmet
3. Knee Pads and elbow guards

4. Small Trauma kit (aka: guaze wrap, maxi-pad, superglue, duct tape and vitamin M)

I also recommend:

5. Mounting you GPS to your cockpit, as opposed to your handle-bars
6. Leave your luggage at camp, go light as possible.

7. Oh yes...do try to bring some sort of magnetic Compass, electronics have a tendency to fail.

Mandatory Equipment Checklist

2008-09-07T17:42:00.000-07:00

To Play your gonna need some stuff:

The Minimum:
1. Road Legal Moto capable of 100++ miles per tank
2. GPS Receiver capable of downloading data from computer
3. Roll Chart Holder (See List of Vendor sources)
4. Scotch Tape and Pen
5. Resettable Odometer

The Rest (Proper Adventure Gear)
6. Equipment to Change Flat and other messes
7. Helmet

8. (qty: 2) 1 Liter bottles of water
9. At least one extra Energy bar in case you BONK. And I mean an EXTRA one...hide it for emergencies.
10. Personal Space Blanket

11. Mobile Phone
12. Signal Strobe or White flashing bicycle light
13. Loud Whistle or motorcycle horn
14. Headlamp or flashlight (bring a little one)

Be Responsible, be safe, have way too much fun!

Provided Equipment

2008-09-07T17:40:00.000-07:00

I Will Provide the following for the Gameplay:

1. All roll charts
2. All maps
3. Waypoint Key Book
4. Downloadable Routes
5. Geocache Coordinates in two formats: lon/Lat (MinDec) and UTM
6. List of Maps for Researching needs

7. Emergency Contact
8. UTM Card image for downloading
9. Free Group Camping
10. Fuel Transport To Anderson Mesa intersection (Rider provides own fuel and container)
11. Locked U-Haul Truck at Camp Site

Bonus Geocaches

2008-09-04T16:37:00.000-07:00

GC19 "The Climb"
Description: Techi rock climb and descent, easy navigation
Score: 13 points

MinDec: N35 05.830' W111.39.344'
UTM: 12S 440234 3884015

Notes: At base of middle tree
Status: Waiting Final Placement

GC25 "The Garden"
Description: Fairly technical Rock Climb...leads to 'Super-Bonus GC27'

MinDec: N34 55.055' W111 32.894'
UTM: 12S 449923 3864041

Notes: Burned-hallow of lone tall oak tree. Contains instructions to GC27.
Status: Complete

GC27 "Strictly Organic" (Super-Bonus)
Description: For the truly adventurous...long, awesome and TECHI!
It's like eating Cookie-dough, suhn!
Score: 89 points!

MinDec: Location Secret
UTM: Location Secret

Notes: Make sure you have enough time...if so, very much worth the effort.
Located within tree stump
Status: Complete

GC8 "Hoxworth Springs"
Description: 4x4 rocky track of flat and easy navigation. Long.
Score: 21 points

MinDec: N35 02.047' W111 34.937'
UTM: 12S 446888 3876982

Notes: On top of left bank at end of track. To-and-back
Status: Awaiting Final Placement

GC23 "Walnut Canyon TH"
Description: Rough descents but ends with a view and exits on fast FS roads.

MinDec: N35 09.790' W111 31.517'
UTM: 12S 452163 3891264

Notes: Located at left end of perimeter fence, within oak grove.
Status: Complete

Mandatory Geocaches

2008-09-04T15:04:00.000-07:00

GC20 "The First One"
Description: Fast and furious one-lane FS roads.
Score: 1 point

MinDec: N 35 07.103' W111 36.991'
UTM: 12S 443823 3886345

Notes: Behind Trail Marker
Status: Awaiting Final Placement

GC21 "The Park"
Description: Cindercone Wonderland inside a Volcanic Crater
Score: 2 points

MinDec: N34 54.564' W111 32.056
UTM: 12S 451193 3863127

Notes: Oak trees between ponderosa pines.
Exit Option: The obvious 2-track to the NE circles around crater back to main area of Park.
Status: Complete

GC11 "Marshal Lake"
Description: Breathtaking Meadow Landscape with The Kastina Mtns in the distance.
Score: 3 points

MinDec: N35 08.055' W111 31.978'
UTM: 12S 451445 3888061

Notes: At base of lone dwarf juniper
Status: Complete

GC14 "Cinder Hills"
Description: Made of cinder, rides like sand!
Score: 34 points

MinDec: N35 21.651' W111 25.898'
UTM: 12S 460786 3913146

Notes: Watch those GPS units and pay attention to the Roll Chart...navigating is tough through here and even the most powerful units lose reception!
Status: Route Complete; Awaiting Final Placement

GC13 "Alpine Oasis"
Description: Grand Finale-Sunset View of Flagstaff and Coconino National Forest
Score: 8 points

MinDec: N35 14.327' W111 36.383'
UTM: 12S 444828 3899692

Notes: mild-techi rock climb and descent. Located next to old tree.
Status: Awaiting Final Placement