The maps are the two-dimensional presentation of the course layout. We will concentrate on the information needed to correctly read them. Firstly, there is the scale which can be represented in two ways, numerically and graphically. In the case of the former, the numbers will indicate the relationship between the measurements on the map and the true distance between two points. If the map indicates a scale of 1:10.000, for example, it means is that one centimetre on the map equals 10,000 cm in true distance (10 metres). The first figure is always a 1 and the number after the second can the higher or lower. The higher the number, the less precise using the measurement. The graphic scale maintains the same relationship but represents it graphically using a bar that is divided into sections representing the real measurement in meters (normally the second number in the numeric scale). This bar can be used to estimate distances on the map.

CHANGES IN ELEVATION Changes in elevation are represented on the map using contour lines. These are represented by imaginary lines indicating the different elevations of the land above sea level. The succession of curves and the use of shading and different colours for the different elevations allow us to easily see the changes. The contour lines are always equidistant and very according to the map scale. At a certain number of meters above sea level the map will show a master contour that will indicate the elevation. For the other elevations you what would count the lines and add or subtract accordingly to achieve the true elevation. To read the map the top is always the north. By triangulating using two or three points (e.g. a building, a mountain and a river) you can easily estimate your location on the map and decide where to go from there.

The compass, obviously, will tell us which direction we are going or in which direction a specific landmark is located. It is the direction finding tool par excellence when combined with a map. The most important part of the compass is the magnetic needle that always points north. The fact that it is magnetic should be kept in mind if we are close to other magnetic elements, like the frame of your mountain bike if it is made of metal. Even a slight change in the direction that the compass is pointing could throw us off course. We will focus on the transparent base plate compasses, which are generally the most economical and have all of the needed features. The most common use of the compass is to correctly orient the map without having to identify landmarks. To do so just align the compass heading with the compass image on the map.

How to map a course from the current position: in the information section of each bullet point in the roadbook includes an indication preceded by "CAP" to tell us the direction we should take, for example: CAP 120º would indicate our course would be 120° off true North. To find it, align the north indication on the compass with the map and look at the ring bordering the outer edge of the compass to find 120°, and that is the direction you should take.

The roadbook often indicates waypoints in the format: N 30º 42.966' W 05º 22.027'. The first number, 30, indicates the zone which we can check by consulting the map legend to see if it coincides. The letter N is the band and the number which follows it, 42.966, is the horizontal distance from and auxiliary line (vertical or horizontal lines printed on the map). As we can see in the image, in addition to the exhilarated lines, there are numbers on the top and the bottom, a small number and two large numbers. If we add the three zeros to these numbers (multiply by 1000) we arrive at the measurement of the auxiliary line. The same is true for the horizontal lines except there are two small numbers and two large numbers which must be multiplied by 1000. Now with the help of a ruler or compass we measure the 966 m that we arrive at two identify the location along the vertical line (longitude). To identify the exact position, we perform the same operation with the horizontal numbers to achieve the latitude (4.778.580) to determine the exact location.

How to find our position on the map with the help of a compass: first we should look around us to try to identify landmarks (peaks, mountain passes, etc.) and identify them on the map. Take the compass and maintain the arrow pointed north (aligned with the indication marked in red on the transparent base plate) and identify in which direction the identified landmarks are located. Write down the degrees (indicated along the outside ring) and subtract 180°. Align the map with the compass so that both are pointing north and draw a course with the direction indicated from the above subtraction. Repeat the operation at least three times, triangulation, ideally using landmarks that are far apart along our horizon. Where the three lines intersect is where we are located.

NISSAN TITAN DESERT MTB MARATHON recommends using GPS. We assume that all the participants are familiar with and know how to use a GPS system given their widespread use in today's automobiles. PRIMARILY, the GPS will be used to trace the routes during the NISSAN TITAN DESERT MTB MARATHON and to orient the participants with the waypoints provided, providing maximum information at all times on the distance travelled and how much is left to go, as well as providing additional safety by identifying the track needed to take to return to a previous point when lost. Also, if the GPS is able to load local cartography, it can provide alternative routes that you might want to take. But take care; sometimes the shortest route is not necessarily the fastest.

WAITPOINTS, both the roadbook for each stage and the briefings of the night before provide a series of waypoints security and control points and provisioning points along the route as well as other points of particular interest for the competition. During the competition all waypoints are provided in the format of the degrees and minutes, e.g. N 31º 40.7400 W 4º 11.9334. Datum: WGS 84. The correct reading would be north (Morocco is above the equator) 31° 40.7400 minutes by West (to the left of the Greenwich meridian) 4° and 11.9334 minutes. Introducing waypoints into your GPS will help you to identify a specific point on your route that you want to reach and to record your position in order to get to it at another moment. By accessing the list of waypoints stored in the GPS we can instruct the system to measure the distance to the point and indicate the route (basic navigation).

THE ROUTE. Navigation of a route consists of moving from point to point along a specific route. GPS's do not have information on off-road travel to the specific points that you must reach and can only tell us the distance "as the crow flies" to the next waypoint and the direction in which it is located. You can navigate using the GPS by using the compass or a local map loaded into the system. This will allow us to have a global idea of the route and exact position of the waypoints introduced. During the race we can programme a point (control point, provisions, etc.) and navigate towards it knowing the distance remaining to the point. Another function would be to know whether we are at a point indicated in the roadbook or whether we are lost (basic navigation).

THE TRACK is the trail left behind when were travelling using GPS and is not unlike painting a line behind you as you ride or leaving a trail of breadcrumbs. The GPS remembers where we have been. This can have various uses: 1. Save the path taken in order to return to a previous point if needed. This is fundamental if you get lost. 2. Be able to know if we are literally going in circles. 3. Keep a record to be able to map out your course. Do not forget to carry spare batteries for equipment that you will be using during the race. Electric power will not always be available for recharging. Do not throw away the old batteries. Recycle them and help keep the desert plain.

The RoadBook is the route book provided by the Organisation every day that describes the entire route. It contains: 1. A brief description of the stage 2. The symbols used in the road book (image 2) 3. The altitude of the stage (image 3) 4. The location of control points and provisions 5. The bullet points with the corresponding kilometres and directions (image 4) 6. Some GPS coordinates in longitude and latitude for the most important points. Start and finish, control points and provisioning points (image 5) 7. A small map of the route.

BASIC RULES: when riding over land we do not know it is best to follow the roadbook rather than searching for alternative routes between waypoints. During the competition the daily schedule is more or less as follows: 1. Delivery of the roadbook for the next stage upon completing each stage. 2. Briefing at 8 PM each evening on the next day's stage. Next to the awards panel you will find a summary of the briefing on the bulletin board. 3. The stage starts at 7:00 AM. 4. Control Points (CP) which must be passed by all participants. Failure to pass the control points will result in a penalty of being excluded from the stage. 5. Finish line: Last control point of each stage. There is a time limit for arriving at the finishing line.

HOW TO READ THE ROADBOOK: the pages of the roadbook are divided into four columns and are read horizontally following the bullet points. The first column on the left shows the total distance from the start to each point. The next column contains the partial distance from the previous point. The third column shows the direction we should take using a predefined symbol (image 2) and the last column, the information section, can show us the direction to take, required instructions that must be followed and an expanded description or explanation of that contained in the previous column or on a waypoint. The participant does not have to read the roadbook in the literal sense of the word. All it takes is a quick look at the indications to process the obstacles while we peddle. You should keep your eyes on the track. It is a very complex task that requires hours and hours of training in order to ride fluidly and without stopping, although it may be unavoidable at times in order to make a correction in the route being followed.

WORK on the night before on your next days plans using the roadbook. Design your strategy and appear at the sign in control with a clear idea of how you are going to handle the stage. Visual memory is particularly important in these types of races. Accordingly, between each stage you must conscientiously review and prepare using the roadbook for the following day.

ADVICE. The shortest path between two points is not always a straight line. As a general rule, this is particularly true in the desert given the presence of obstacles along the way. Normally the fastest path is using the main track. Do not take anything for granted. Following the rider in front of you could easily be a case of the blind leading the blind. Make your own decisions. The race is often not decided by following the leaders. Trust in your own navigation abilities. If you get lost.the best idea is to go back along the same route. Telling without a fixed course is tiring both physically and mentally and can easily lead to becoming even more lost. Please remember that the roadbook must be delivered complete at the end of the stage. It is strictly prohibited, and carries a penalty, to tear out pages and litter.