Opinons about unmarked courses -- is this ruining gravel racing?

What is your opinion about unmarked courses in gravel races?

 

This year I've done five gravel races (I'm not really racing them).  All five were on unmarked courses. For four of them, this was a change from the past.  The fifth race was a new race.

 

Anyway, I don't like it.  Whether alone, or with a group, I, or we, have to stop often at intersections and contemplate which way we should go.  I, and others, have gotten lost many times as ridewithgps.com maps loaded on Garmin just don't match course conditions perfectly.  I've found, and have been told, that the solution is to view the map screen on Garmin constantly and follow the map -- however, that still leads to stopping and some false starts down some turns.

 

I'd prefer courses that are marked.  What is your experience and opinion?

I've been told by more than one ride/race organizer that one problem with marked routes is people who are hostile to the events moving or removing route markings. It's easy to see how training participants not to rely on markers is to the riders' benefit.

I have been on some races in rural Kansas and Arkansas where my computer losses connectivity.  Sometimes it will have me turning on a road that doesn't exist, or will go haywire on directions to next turn.  I always update any software before a race.  I bought a refurbished, it might be time to bite the bullet and buy a new computer.

Garmin Edge 520+

I run turn by turn directions on wahoo using ride with gps and have rarely had a problem on gravel rides.  But, how hard is it to mark the course w/ a sign.?? 

 

That's about three generations old in the Garmin lineup, so I'm not surprised that it's having problems. Might be time for an upgrade. I've got a 1040 Edge, and it's rock-solid.

Koyote I have the 1030 and in the rain last Sat. I lost the blue line ride with GPS twice. Seems my 1030 I always have trouble with it in the rain. Have you had any problems with the 1040 in the rain?

 

Zman

I really could care less about whether a course is marked or not. I am seeing a trend at my end though. Lots of race directors putting on races and not having the cyclists best interests at hand. AKA only running the race to make money. Here are a couple of trends.

1. hardly anything at the rest stops but advertising that they are going to be fully stocked. Last Sat. at the only rest stop of a 50 miler at mile 19 they  only had gummy bears and orange slices and fluids.

2. At this race and a few others never checking riders in at the finish line so they have no clue whether all the riders are finished or not.

3. One race soon they want you to pay for a t shirt and pay for food at the finish line.

4. I usually do the medium or the long course. I see some now that the price is the same for all the distances while some other races discount for the shorter courses.

 

Guessing it is only going to get worse but at my end I guess I need to be more selective on whose races I am willing to pay for.

 

Zman