GPS rides - how do they work

[flymango]

Call me old-fashioned but if I wanted to be challenged with my navigational skills (i.e. ability to use and understand GPS devices) I would do adventure racing, not multi-stage MTB events (or even same day events). Bloody hell, it takes me longer than most to finish a day, after which I must find my tent, unpack my box, clean my bike, shower, have a beer, and now also worry about charging my GPS?? One of the reasons I still use a Polar device is the fact that I don't have to re-charge it too often. Like I said, call me old-fashioned. But I guess I'll get with the programme and buy a GPS if needs be. But this just keeps raising the barriers to entry for doing organised MTB events, especially stage races. But if the market is over-subscribed, who am I to complain? As they say in non-accounting terms - FIFO.