So, you’re interested in joining the Great TB Race of 2009, but you’d like more information. Well, this is the place to get the lowdown on this event. Let’s start with some basic details.
The race will be a race amongst travel bugs that would begin in early January of 2009 and end exactly one year later. The race will be of a slightly different design than a typical “how far will it travel” race. In this race, the race is for points. Points are awarded for meeting certain goals. Meet the goals and your travel bug earns points. Earn the most points by the end of the race and you win. Simple as that. Oh, and there is no entry fee to play.
Entering the Race:
1. Contact me to inform me of your interest in the race. If you would like a standardized TB description and TB Info Card (keep reading to learn more), it is recommended to request them at this time.
2. Make sure you have your own travel bug and attached traveler. The traveler may be whatever you choose, but keep in mind that larger travelers have less caches they can fit into. If you have requested a TB Info Card, you may attach this now, or ask to have it attached by me at a later point. It is recommended that the info card be laminated first.
3. Activate your travel bug. If you have a requested a standardized TB description, you just need to copy and paste what was sent to you according to the instructions provided. Make sure to include “Great TB Race” somewhere in the name of your travel bug.
4. Contact me once you have everything ready to go to receive a mailing address for the travel bug. Once received, safely package the travel bug and drop it in the mail, addressed to me. USPS is the easiest, but you may use FedEx, UPS, or any other service of your choice. I am not responsible for problems in shipping.
5. Once your travel bug arrives, you will receive confirmation of it’s arrival. At this point, two options will be available. Either you may wait until the final cache is ready and “Post a Note”, dropping the bug into the cache, or you may have me have me do it for you. The latter option involves me grabbing the bug and placing it in the cache myself. This option is also the best way to ensure that it gets into the starting cache without delays.
6. Wait for the race to begin and enjoy.
Starting the Race
Living in Kansas City, I am pretty well centrally located in the United States. As such, a cache will be placed here in Kansas City as the official starting point for all contestants, published the day the race starts. All contestants will start the race in this cache. There are several reasons this is being done.
A new starting cache helps create a more equal start, no matter where the contestant’s owner lives. So, no chance of one contestant having an advantage over another because it’s started in an area that has lots of cachers compared to the contestant coming from an area of few cachers. Alongside this, by starting in a brand new cache, it helps prevent the disadvantage some contestants would have by being started in a cache that has been visited by everyone in that area already. A new cache means nobody has found it before. Since the starting point will be a brand new cache, it also ensures that all contestants start at the same time since no cacher will know where the cache is located until it is published.
The end of the race will be just that…the end of the race. This will take place exactly one year after the start of the race. Up for debate is a special points goal will be established for the end of the race.
Earning Points
Options for points |
Point Value |
| 1. For every cache it’s placed in | 1 |
| 2. For every 50 miles traveled | 1 |
| 3. For posting a picture | 2 |
| 4. For crossing state lines or country borders | 2 |
| 5. For being exchanged for a trackable item | 2 |
| 6. For attending an event cache | 3 |
| 7. For being placed during a FTF | 4 |
| 8. For visiting an official race checkpoint cache | 5 |
As can be seen by the proposed goals, points vary depending on the goal. It should be stated here that dipping TB’s into caches will not add to the point totals. This was part of a rules change the contestants voted on. If done, only the final drop will be counted towards points. The one exception is if the item is involved with a FTF on a cache it cannot fit into. This requires that a photo of the TB’, cache, and freshly signed log is posted as proof. To aid in evaluating how points are awarded, rules (and restrictions) will be in place regarding the goals, as follows:
1. Points for caches visited will only be awarded once for a cache. Once a bug visits a cache, any subsequent visits to that cache will not count for points.
2. Points for mileage will be based on the mileage counter on each bug’s page.
3. Points for posting pictures will only be awarded once per photo per cacher. One cacher posting multiple pictures will not gain additional points, though it is encouraged if the poster desires to help document the travels.
4. Points for crossing state lines will be based on a straight line model, using the travel bug’s map. No matter how a cacher travels as they carry the travel bug, a straight line between cache A and cache B will be used to determine which state lines are crossed. The same thing will apply if it leaves the US, only points will be counted for crossing country borders.
5. Points for being exchanged with a trackable item require that you identify the trackable item you traded with in your log. Failure to identify the trackable item will result in no points being awarded. This is done to help verify that an exchange occurred, whether you dropped or picked up the racing travel bug.
6. Points for attendance at an event is only awarded once per event.
7. Points for being placed during an FTF requires that you be the FTF on the cache in question. Due to the increase in smaller caches, being FTF does not require that you leave the travel bug at the cache, only that you are the first to find it while the travel bug is in your possession. Again, if the item is not able to be left at the cache, please take a photo of the TB, container, and freshly signed FTF log side by side as proof. This photo will only count for FTF, not FTF and photo points.
8. Points for visiting an official race checkpoint will only be awarded once per checkpoint. Checkpoints must be officially designated caches.
If you have questions regarding the rules, check the FAQ’s page before sending them in. It might have been answered already.
Oh, one more thing. All rule changes will be discussed with all race participants to decide whether or not to put the change into effect.
Let the registration begin!
TripCyclone
We are thinking of joining with two TB:s from Sweden. This sounds like a lot of fun!
By: Dinosgang and Ettfemtiofyra on November 26, 2008
at 5:36 pm
Will be joining the race will contact 8601 delphinium about getting the racer to you if you will be at Christmas Pizza Party otherwise I can send to you. I will need one of the Race Info cards or how do I print off the card. This will be alot of fun to track.
By: jlondon1963 on December 2, 2008
at 9:45 pm
TripCyclone,
I’m interested in joining, but I can’t find your email address on these pages to let you know. Can you sign me up?
JenniferQp
Newark, Delaware
email: JennyQGeocacher@yahoo.com
By: JenniferQp on December 9, 2008
at 2:24 pm
I noticed that one TB page mentions that dipping is of no advantage. If a cacher dips a racer for miles, will all the miles count?
By: deb3day on January 12, 2009
at 8:00 am
I see that dipping was discussed on a 1st Rules Update and it was decided that dipping would not help the TB. Only one cache will be counted per cacher. That part of the rule wasn’t added to the rules and unless you read that update you wouldn’t know it. Should that be mentioned somewhere in the rules so that cachers moving the bugs know not to dip? I saw a few bugs being dipped.
By: deb3day on January 12, 2009
at 8:13 am
I was just informed of a cacher who did this about 4 or 5 times. I have just updated the rules.
I forgot about making small tags to add to every TB that said dipping isn’t allowed, but in the heyday I forgot about it. I will post an announcement about this so that everyone can update their TB profiles. I haven’t updated my records with everyone’s e-mails so I can’t send out the mass e-mail with the instructions.
This is a great example of how people can help. Keep an eye on your own cacher. Keep track of the points. Use it to make sure I don’t miss something. See my announcement (later today) for more information.
By: tripcyclone on January 12, 2009
at 4:50 pm
Trip, Got a question here on TB trades for points > Rule states: Exchange with a TB/coin
(must name the other item in log)
Which log, the cache log or must it be on the TB Racers log?
Thanks, For Every Thing.
By: Mr.Skully on January 22, 2009
at 8:02 pm
The item log can be edited, so preferably, it is listed there. However, I will likely be checking both as a safeguard since many people don’t go back in and edit the item logs after dropping them. This is a good example of how keeping track of your own TB’s points would benefit owners in case I miss something.
By: tripcyclone on January 23, 2009
at 6:31 am
I have a rules question. Crossing a state line or country border is worth two points. I understand that to mean if a TB is picked up in one state and placed in another, it scores two points. Even if the states are distant from each other. If a racer is picked up in MO, and placed in NY, that would be two points. If two points are scored for each state passed over, how would that be determined? there are several routes from MO to NY. I’m just seeking clairifcation.
By: Joes Bar on January 27, 2009
at 11:34 am
Hello, I have a question also… This is for the FTF Points. Are the points for being dropped into a cache by someone that is the FTF, or are they scored when someone is the FTF and pulls the Racer out of that cache as the TB was placed there by the cache owner when the cache was placed? I.E. Labor of Love TB Racer..
Thanks Just needed to ask that to be clear on it.
Thanks Mr.Skully
By: Mr.Skully on January 27, 2009
at 4:31 pm
SCRUFFY THE GEODOG is a good example for Joes question. How many state borders did Scruffy take in on that journey?
By: Mr.Skully on January 27, 2009
at 4:44 pm
LOL, I found my FTF answer.. Helps to see it when looking, missed it some how. LOL Twice.. Labor will NOT get a FTF for the cache it was placed in.
By: Mr.Skully on January 27, 2009
at 4:51 pm
That question about the borders is a good question. Here’s how I determine. I draw a straight line from the cache it was placed in and the previous cache. Every border crossed is counted. So for Scruffy, the trip to Florida crossed four borders if I remember correctly, thus earning 8 points. I did not count the Florida border when crossing the Gulf, as it would only count if it had physically crossed another country (it only crossed water).
Now, the interesting part for Scruffy, which also provides an example of something else about borders. If Scruffy had been placed in a Florida cache only a few miles East, it would have changed the points it earned for borders. The reason why? When it crossed the Mississippi River, it crossed in a small bend of the river. It crossed straight through. Imagine State A and State B at this point. A few miles East in placement would have resulted in it crossing the state border three times in that spot instead of once. It would have gone from A to B, then back to A, then back to B, all because of the bend in the river. That would have been three crossings instead of one. Tricky huh.
An easy way to figure this out is to pull up the “View Map” for your TB. Follow the line, count the borders. It helps to look up close when hitting corners or winding borders to see if it is actually crossing more than just the one border. This is how I determine the number of borders crossed.
Oh, the FTF answer, just in case for those who didn’t search out the answer. The person who gets the FTF has to have the TB in possession, not the TB located in cache already. In other words, the TB also has to earn FTF (and be dropped into that cache). If the cache is to small, a picture of the TB with the cache and the freshly signed FTF log as proof will allow the TB to be dipped in for FTF points only, then moved to another cache.
Hope that clears it up.
By: tripcyclone on January 27, 2009
at 5:30 pm
Thank you for the explaination.
By: Joes Bar on January 30, 2009
at 9:41 pm
Looks like The Puck Stops Here got dipped again, and if he goes overseas with k-n-k family is that a dip also? Even if it is another day they do that?
Skully
By: Mr.Skully on February 3, 2009
at 5:37 am
that’s a tough call. At first, I thought it would score points for mileage and borders. But, if it isn’t placed into a cache, how could those miles or border crossings count? Someone could easily take down a TBs number and travel far and wide dipping as they go. But the bug really didn’t go anywhere. When it’s finally placed, it could only be a few miles from where it was picked up. How does that get scored?
The TB owner may want to contact the current holder of the racer and politely explain the rules.
By: Joes Bar on February 3, 2009
at 8:13 am
Just thinking out loud here…
I think this needs to read a little different.
1. Points for caches visited will only be awarded once for a cache. Once a bug visits a cache, any subsequent visits to that cache will not count for points.
This makes it sound like THAT Cache – any subsequent visits to that cache will not count for points.
Since dipping is done by one cacher in a day, would this be better to read,
“any visits to another cache that day by the same cacher will not count for points.”
Again just thing out loud
Skully
By: Mr.Skully on February 9, 2009
at 8:25 am
That’s a valid point. Maybe I’ll add that line in. However, the original intention was just as you stated, that points will not be counted if a TB revisited a cache it has already been too (aka…THAT particular cache being visited more than once).
That does bring up something. We recently looked at a TB that had suffered from dipping. A good question would be “Is it okay to delete dipped logs?” That is up to the owner of the TB. It definitely helps with keeping track of points, but after thinking about how this particular TB was handled, if the owner prefers to leave them up, that isn’t a problem. If you noticed dipping occuring on yours, handle it how you want. Contact the dipping cacher if you’d like to explain things. Some cachers are more than willing to help you out (one graciously offered to fix it themselves). However, if you’d like to leave the logs in place, send me a line so that I am aware of it when I do points updates. This will help me in recalculating the distance.
TripCyclone
By: tripcyclone on February 9, 2009
at 6:11 pm