| How to use
the Route reports
Giving a report of a ride, and above
all coding it to be classified is, by nature, extremely subjective. In
addition to the experience and capacity of the rider, it is highly
influenced by:
The
Handicap Level: strength, balance, reflex of the rider are all
dependent on their handicap.
Crossing an incline may pose no problem for a paraplegic with
abdominal muscle use but a quadriplegic without the use of chest
muscles will fall in the direction of the slope and so will need
assistance to cross.
The
Model of ORWC: each model (Dahu,
CTT or Cobra) has its own specific qualities making its use easier on
certain types of terrain or handicap.
The same routes on a Dahu will handle differently than on a CTT.
The
Conditions on The Day: a route
at the beginning of the season crossing icy snow or a steep slope made
muddy by storm will greatly alter the perceived level of difficulty.
One should then be
extremely cautious when using the information provided in the reports
published on this web. Just keep in mind each of them is nothing else
than a one man opinion and should by no means be considered as a
riding guide.
To
put this in perspective, the first 160 reports were written by a C6-C7
quadriplegic, riding a Cobra, and who has used for the last 11 years
the following reports conventions. We suggest that you take them for
your own routes reports and let us know if you found them appropriate
to your situation.
|
Route :
|
Starting
and ending points
|
| Author
:
|
Source
of informations, e-mail
|
Route
#:
|
| Area:
|
i.e.
Alpes N, S, Pyrennées, …
|
Mountain
range: i.e.
Bauges
|
| Map:
|
Reference
IGN 1/25000
|
Location:
Map
scanned
|
| Exposure:
|
1
2
3
4
5
|
Low
risk, not remote (easy to reach in case of problem)
Low risk, partly remote (more difficult to reach in case of
problem)
Some risks, or mostly remote (difficult to reach in case of
problem)
Route risky, or scary, or external assistance difficult to be
provided
Long portions at risk, or external assistance impossible to be
provided
|
| Comments
on exposure:
Details on the
parts of the route which are at risk, or remote. Information on
the psychological aspect of the route (steep slopes, cliffs,
narrow paths etc…). Also when a rope is needed.
|
| Difficulty:
|
F :
Easy
PD : Not Difficult
AD : Average Difficulty
D : Difficult
TD : Very Difficult
ED : Extremely Dl
|
Smooth
rides (i.e. paved roads)
Smooth and slightly technical (i.e. dirt roads)
Some technical or steep portions
Many technical parts and steep slopes
Mostly technical and steep
The limit of the best riders
|
| Comments
on Difficulty: Summary
of the kind of difficulty found on the route. What sort of
technicality (side slopes, rocks, major steps…)
Incline
and length of the slope
|
| Assistance:
|
1
2
3
4
5
|
A
few occasional obstacles
More obstacles but still infrequent
Some limited climbs or frequent but short obstacles
Important climbs or long carrying or need to use a rope
Very sustained (i.e.: very long climbs or carrying portions,
mandatory rope)
|
Comments
on the assistance needed:
Summary of kind of problems which request some assistance
(obstacles, climbs, carrying)
Estimate of how many people might be needed for assistance
Technical skills required to provide the assistance (rope
handling, risk management)
|
| View
:
|
****
Outstanding
*** Wonderfull
** Very nice
* Nice
|
Exceptional
view.
Great high altitude view (i.e. Mont Blanc)
Nice view in a pleasant landscape
Nice landscape
|
| Maximumelevation :
|
The
highest point of the route (generally the starting point)
|
| Total
drop:
|
in
meters
|
Climb:
|
in meters
|
| Distance:
|
in
km
|
Average
length:
in
hours
|
| Itinerary:
|
Brief
description of the route done and of its key points. This needs
to be used with the help of the location map..
|
| Comments
on accessing the starting point:
|
V
(car)
RM (Mechanical
lifts)
4 x 4
Traction
|
Driving
recommendations
Wheelchair accessibility, cost
Length, driving difficulty, where to rent one
By men or animals. Length and difficulty. Where to rent
animals..
|
| ORWC:
|
Dahu,
CTT or Cobra. (affects the level of perceived route's
difficulty)
|
| Guide:
Name
and address of the professional guide who lead the route
|
Free
comments: Such
as your overall feeling on the route, what should'nt be missed
in the area (tourism, view, animals etc…), the best period to
do it.
|
| Date:
(Important
to estimate the weather conditions)
|
Last update : 04/08/2003 12:20 |
