The Flatlands 600 Calendar Event 2017

This page is for downloading alternative versions of the GPS files for this, Tom Deakins' calendar event, starting from Churchend, Great Dunmow, on Saturday 9 September 2017 at 6am.  If you want information about the ride itself, visit AUK or yacf.

The GPS routes given on this page were tested against the routesheet on 10 September 2016 (i.e. last year's event).  All routes were exported from this page on RideWithGPS.

Preamble

Some devices can only handle GPX files; some devices need simplified (500-point) GPX files.  Some devices can't handle more than 200km in a single route, some riders prefer TCX — it's somewhat of a minefield trying to provide GPS files to suit all-comers!  I've sliced and diced the most common formats and you should find something here for your device, whatever your requirements.  If you'd prefer to grab an online copy and modify it yourself, the originals are here and you can duplicate to your own RWGPS account and play.

If you're still having problems or have a question, email Nick.

IMPORTANT — 10,000-point GPXes — If you downloaded the full-fat GPX files before 10pm on Sunday 3 September 2017 then you should re-download them from this page NOW!  I have updated the GPX files to reduce them to be less than 10,000 points, because it has come to my attention — I have Phil Whitehurst to thank, thank you Phil! — that Garmin devices don't like going beyond the 10k limit.  Blame Garmin's engineers!  So, I have run a point-reduction algorithm across the files and they are now both just under 10k points.  You can tell if you have the correct ones, because they are labelled FL600North10k and FL600South10k.  Note that I don't believe the TCX files are affected and it's possible to load both the TCX and GPX files side-by-side, because the names are different, just in case.

Note 1: on your GPS screen you should see FL600North2015 and FL600South2015 in the course list — Edge devices are limited to showing the first 15 characters of the ‘course’ name; others may be better or worse.

Note 1B: yes, the routes say 2015 on your GPS device — if you really want them to say 2017 then edit the XML yourself, the actual route hasn't changed.

Note 2: The northwards track is from Dunmow to Goole (320-odd km); the southwards track is back again (280-odd km).

Standard GPX files

Most riders will use these normal GPX files.  There are two flavours: standard and legacy (reduced-to-500-points for legacy devices).  The controls are included as waypoints (unless indicated).  Garmin Edge 700+ devices and most other non-Garmin devices use these.

IMPORTANT: you need both parts!

• Northbound GPX file
• Southbound GPX file

Or as a ZIP file of both parts — use this if you're having trouble with the above links.

Legacy 500-point GPX

These are for users of Garmin eTrex, Montana and Edge 500 and the like.

IMPORTANT: you need both parts!

• Northbound 500-point GPX file
• Southbound 500-point GPX file

Or as a ZIP file of both parts — use this if you're having trouble with the above links.

Even simpler legacy 500-point GPX

If you want even simpler GPX for Garmin Edge 200 and the most basic other devices, without any waypoints, use these — again, you need both parts:

• Northbound simplified-500-point GPX file
• Southbound simplified-500-point GPX file

Or as a ZIP file of both parts — use this if you're having trouble with the above links.

‘Advanced’ TCX files

The TCX files includes cue points for when you're getting close to or at a control and quite a few audax hotels along the route.  Useful on devices like Edge 800, 810, 1000 and possibly others, if you like your GPS to beep at you every hour or so with an update.  I like it, not everyone does. 

IMPORTANT: you need both parts!

WARNING: you should consider also loading the GPX files, due to a potential although unconfirmed issue with TCX files of more than 10,000 points.  The GPX files have been reduced to fewer than 10k points.

• Northbound TCX file
• Southbound TCX file

Or as a ZIP file of both parts — use this if you're having trouble with the above links.

Quiet route from Cambridge to Dunmow via Duxford, Newport

Tom mentions in the 2015 ride information, and I suspect he'll be saying something similar this year as well:

"Riders might want to consider an alternative, slightly flatter, but quieter and complicated route to avoid the busy A1301/B184 around Duxford. Following the Cam valley via Hinxton [at the end of the cyclepath from Sawston] through Ickleton, Gt Chesterford, Newport, Henham, Pledgedon Green, Brick End and Great Easton. Or up to Saffron Walden from Littlebury to rejoin B184 route." 

This route nicely avoids some busy roads and sharp climbs. It is 4km longer, but is quicker after 600km of riding, because of the significantly gentler climbs.  You also get closer to Duxford Airbase to see the WWII aircraft buzzing overhead (if you're not full-value).  I regularly use this route to get to the start of Tom's rides from my home in Girton, as I think it's more interesting than the B184 main-road bash through Saffron Walden and Thaxted.

I've created a GPX file (click here) for the route from Girton, Cambridge, to arrivée at Great Dunmow (or click here for the 500-point version). You pick up the route from the Co-op in Girton (on LHS immediately before bridge over A14 expressway) or switch to it while riding thru Cambridge.

I've also created a single-sided, folds-to-A6 route sheet, reasonably faithful to Tom's style.

If you're still having problems or have a question, email Nick.