quote:In order for that to work I'd have to have enough room at the TA end. I don't know yet that I have it.
I think you don't have enough information. I would also think it a good idea to find out who designed the existing course, for that may be different than the RD or head of the group that wants to put the event on.
Adjusting the TA sounds like the simplest solution for a large course adjustment. Going over possible course adjustments on site can save you a lot of time later. This is especially true for a long course being organized by less experienced RD's, which is what it sounds like in this case.
Before tackling the course I think I would:
1) Find out what is adjustable.
2) Find out why the existing locations of the start and finish were selected.
3) Determine the number of runners the event is being designed for.
I would schedule your first visit to meet the event director and their course manager.
On that day, preferably with their help:
a) Lay out the cal course
b) Visit all the key points by road
c) Determine and mark the optimal start,
finish and proposed TA.
d) Take GPS readings of each point, along
with the points where the course turns
from the rail bed to the town roads.
e) Check the proposed route through town B,
determining what part of which roads will
be used. If on any part if only part of a
road is used.
f) Mark known fixed points, (where length
adjustment will not be made) and record
measurements to known fixed points.
I would also discuss with the event directors if the start has enough road width in the first couple of miles and the space available behind the line to assemble runners. .. Again for the finish layout.
It is better that they have thought it though before you start to ride.
Make sure they have provisional permission for the route through town 'B' before you measure that part of the course. You don't want the police changing the course after the measurement.
Armed with this data, I would either return home, or retire to a building with a computer and mapping software.
I would check the length with a couple of different mapping programs and get the RD to sign off on the preliminary route and method of adjusting the course length.
GoogleEarth is useful for approximation, especially when dealing with trails that are not on the road maps.
Verify there is enough distance. Agree with RD on the exact Start, Finish, the route to be taken and the where you will adjust the course length.
Only then would I set out do ride. I would plan to do this on a different day, some time later, after all has been agreed.
I would try be organized, have pre-printed worksheets, arrive early and have on site assistance from a local.
If you know all of the above, you can do the first ride and put down splits at the same time.
(Working on the assumption that only the total length is being certified and not the splits..)
Start by calibrating the bike.
Find out Start, Finish or TA will be adjusted. If Finish, just do normal measurement, Start to Finish.
If Start, do same but ride Finish to Start.
If it is, as I suspect the TA that they want adjustments at, then:
Measure location of start pin from fixed points.
Ride from the start to the TA, laying out splits as you go, then from the TA to the finish but without laying down splits.
Then figure out the gross course adjustment. Ride back from the Finish to TA putting down splits as you go.
Now the splits are all in the correct locations even though you have not yet adjusted the TA.
You could make the gross course adjust at the TA and measure it's new location from fixed points, or just continue to Start and make both gross and fine adjustments to the TA after riding.
Have car pick you up, take you to lunch, and then return you to the start for full ride, or return to finish and do the next ride in reverse.
Re-cal the bike and run the numbers.
Make final course adjustment, if necessary, measure pin's distance from fixed points and go home.
This plan did not split the riding up across different days, One day was all prep, the second all ride. The advantage is having all the uncertainty out of the picture, so the second day should be smother and with less to worry and think about and therefore less prone to error.
Even better, have a local on a second bike ride with you. Just charge the cost of the second Jones counter to the event.