The way Audax has evolved to embrace GPS technology is excellent, but isn't it important that in doing so it has to be careful not to give GPS users an advantage over those riders who don't have it?
If all the .gpx is doing is providing proof of passage through control points that a non-GPS user could do another way then all is well and good,
Allready, that is an advantage. No scurrying around to find a control or having to rush to get there before the shop shuts. Presumably much easier to follow than a routesheet (I've never used GPS) almost certainly easier than stopping to unfold a map every now and then.
GPS are very advantageous, isn't that the point?
Owning a computer also gives some advantages over those who don't. Planning a DIY is now a breeze. I remember the days of planning Mesh rides with a crude Mesh map, road atlas and calculator. I'd still have to do similar if it wasn't for my computer. Twas a godsend in 2007 when I was planning 1000k of routes every week for the most part of 2 months, I can tell you.
but using it to prove a mileage between those controls would give the user an advantage.
The distance between controls has allready been proven because the route is OK'd by the DIY organiser before the actual ride takes place and all routes are subjected to the same scrutiny by the DIY organiser. Whether you take the shortest route or go a longer way is down to you. GPS, I expect, would help you keep to the shortest possible route. The GPS would only be evidence that you've cycled along that particular route.