How to read a roadbook: complete guide for rally-raid

Redaction-TSE — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 13:08:49 +0000

Digital roadbook vs paper roadbook for the rally-raid

For rally-raiders, knowing how to read a roadbook is essential. This is the official document describing the rally route: tracks, directions, dangers, headings ➡️ ‼️ … Without it, it’s impossible to follow the race.

👉 In other words, to compete in rally raids, you absolutely must know how to read a roadbook.
The format may vary depending on the event: some rallies have switched to digital roadbooks (on tablets), while others still use paper roadbooks with a dispenser.

For the 2025 Carta Rally, we have decided to equip our drivers with F2R Y1000 tablets, replacing the traditional paper roadbooks.
These tablets display the routes provided by the organization via the Terrapirata app, ensuring smoother and more accurate navigation.

💻 Tip for beginners: fun training

To familiarize yourself with reading a roadbook, start with a video game like Dakar, available on computer and PlayStation. It’s an excellent alternative for learning how to read a roadbook.

Then, you can train with real training:

Ténéré Centers: at Loïc Minaudier’s in Aveyron
Desert training camp: with Jordi Arcarons near Merzouga, to train in real desert conditions.

🔍 How to read a roadbook?

A roadbook, whether paper or digital, is always structured in the same way. Understanding how to read it is essential for following the route correctly and anticipating each obstacle.

A roadbook is divided into three columns, read from left to right. Each column contains key information: distance, direction, hazards, or notes.

Symbols and icons are universal, so once you master them, you can anticipate turns, obstacles, and changes in terrain before you even encounter them.

1.⁠ ⁠Left column: distances and instructions

This column mainly shows distance information:

1- Total distance traveled so far

2- Distance from the previous note

3- Instruction number, to follow the process step by step

It may also include:

Waypoints or checkpoints
Additional navigation markers

Any information that helps track your progress

⚠️ This column is essential for synchronizing the roadbook with the odometer and anticipating navigation.

2.⁠ ⁠Center column: road visualization

The center column is the visual part of the roadbook. Here you will find:

Trajectory patterns: ⬆️ ➡️ ↗️, indicating the type of path and the direction to follow

Visual landmarks: ruins, houses, lakes, fences… to stay oriented
Degree caps: for precise positioning when needed

3.⁠ ⁠Right column: additional information

The right column provides additional details, often critical for safety and navigation:

Speed limit
Specific hazards ⁉️
Precise distances to certain obstacles (e.g., “AND AT 200 m…”)

It supplements the information in the other two columns so that you can anticipate all situations.

👀 Tools for reading a roadbook

To use a roadbook effectively, it is important to have the right tools:

1- ICO / Tripmaster / Course repeater: used to display the course and check the distance, often connected to the wheel as a backup odometer.

2- Odometer (mileage counter): shows the distance traveled and allows you to follow the roadbook accurately. Some models operate using GPS.

3- This ICO is used as a backup odometer and is directly connected to the wheel.

L’article How to read a roadbook: complete guide for rally-raid est apparu en premier sur Ténéré Spirit Experience.

Archives of rally-raid ténéré 700 - Ténéré Spirit Experience