Yes people will short cut. In 2007, when I compelted the race, there was one rider who kept on appearing in front of us. He eventually dropped out. It's easy to get lost and find yourself on the wrong road, some riders will back track: Read John Billman's Outside article on his 2007 race, other may not. However, the individual Spot maps for each rider can show you plenty of detail about which route they are on. As an example Jeff Naylor's spot shows him on Hgw 83 (north of Seeley Lake). this was 8 hours ago but he is off route.
If his spot updates and shows him progressing along Hgw83 off route in the direction of the race, then he should be disqualified.
My question to the race organisers is: Will you be checking the individual rider spot maps to check that their spots did or did not record them short cutting or riding off route?
Probably worth reminding the riders to stay on route and to back track to rejoin where they went off route. I had several naviagation errors in 07. Every time I went back to where I went wrong.
Short Cut Evidence
Yes people will short cut. In 2007, when I compelted the race, there was one rider who kept on appearing in front of us. He eventually dropped out. It's easy to get lost and find yourself on the wrong road, some riders will back track: Read John Billman's Outside article on his 2007 race, other may not. However, the individual Spot maps for each rider can show you plenty of detail about which route they are on. As an example Jeff Naylor's spot shows him on Hgw 83 (north of Seeley Lake). this was 8 hours ago but he is off route.
If his spot updates and shows him progressing along Hgw83 off route in the direction of the race, then he should be disqualified.
My question to the race organisers is: Will you be checking the individual rider spot maps to check that their spots did or did not record them short cutting or riding off route?
Probably worth reminding the riders to stay on route and to back track to rejoin where they went off route. I had several naviagation errors in 07. Every time I went back to where I went wrong.