How to Dotwatch

Each rider is represented by a 'dot' on the map, which displays their race number and either their initials or full name depending on the zoom level. Looking at the map as a whole, and panning around, can give you a sense of the general shape of the race; who's out front, how big the gaps are, and who's currently active (a translucent, faded 'dot' indicates the rider is stationary, if “(DNF)” shows next to their name then they’re scratched). Click on a rider’s dot to bring up information such as their position, overall distance, and the weather around them. Click Show to display their track throughout the race until that point.

A specific rider can be found through the details tab, with the list of all the riders in the event in order of their positions once the race has started. How to find a rider: Click the Details tab and search for their name Hover over their name to center the map to their dot Click on their name to display their track and bring up key stats, such as current speed and distance covered.

Clicking on the 'Leaderboard' tab at the top of the map will display a list of riders in order of progress made. The leaderboard is based off of each rider's respective distance along the route, which is a simple measurement for races with a set route. For races with no set route, such as the Transcontinental race, the ranking is normally done by arrival time to the previous control point, therefore it only updates when they reach the next control point.

The Analytics tab is packed with an abundance of features for those who love data! The two most popular features are the Stopped Time and Race Flow analytics. The Stopped Time highlights exactly how long a rider has stopped for at various times in the race making it easy to pick out when they’ve been sleeping or at a resupply.

The Race Flow feature is an interactive tool to measure rider progress over a certain period of time. The X-axis represents time, and the Y-axis distance. From these two measurements, we can see each rider's progress - represented by the lines on the graph - in relation to the progress of others. It’s hard to capture in a screengrab so enjoy the tool for yourself during the next race but use the following information as a guide:

• Flat line = Rider stationary / asleep
• Steep line = Fast pace
• Lines crossing = Riders passing each other
• Smooth line = Steady pace
• Erratic line = Lack of rhythm / probable fatigue

Changing the basemap of the tracking gives a bird’s eye view of the land riders are travelling through for a better understanding of the environment and potential challenges for the riders. In this clip, the change of the basemap from default to satellite shows the magnitude of Tenerife’s Teide Volcano as well its old lava flows and rifts that riders will pass over during the Granguanche events.

The dotted line indicates when the terrain is off-road and the solid line is for the tarmac sections.

For more in depth how-tos then check out Follow My Challenge’s support page here.

See also New Features for DotWatchers.