Mountain Devils Orienteering Club

 

Mountain Bike Orienteering Newcomer information

This page provides information to assist you with your first few mountain bike orienteering events. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask one of the event officials. Orienteers are a very social group and you will find many people prepared to offer advice, if asked.

What is Mountain Bike Orienteering?

The sport of MTB orienteering is a combination of riding skills and navigation to find a number of checkpoints (called controls) in unfamiliar terrain using a specially prepared map. Orienteering is an individual sport but participation in pairs or small groups is encouraged at the beginner level.

What Events are on?

"Coming Events" listings, which provide full details of events and directions to the assembly area, are available from the Orienteering Association of NSW. The listings are part of the Association Newsletter, which is sent to all our members.

NSW MTB orienteering events are also listed on the Mountain Devils website http://www.mountaindevils.com and there are links from there to other state MTB event calendars.

How to Find Events

Signs are usually placed near the event location to guide you to the parking area. They are either words, or an "orienteering flag" symbol in orange and white:

    

This orange and white flag symbol will become familiar to you because it is used throughout orienteering, as an actual flag and also as a symbol as drawn above.

What Do I Need?

An off-road bike in good working order and a standard bicycle safety helmet are compulsory. Other suggestions would be: * Wear your normal riding gear and bring a water bottle and a rain jacket. * Compasses are useful to orient your map to north and can be hired at the event, if desired. * It is recommended to carry a whistle to attract attention in case of emergency. * As with all outdoor activities, it is a good idea to cover up and use sunscreen. The nature of MTB orienteering is such that you are in a relaxed forest environment and a picnic lunch is a great way to finish (or start) off the day.

Arrival

When you arrive at an event you will need to choose a course and then register your entry. If you are unsure of the procedure, just ask the person at the registration who will arrange for an orienteer to assist you by explaining the course options and guiding you through the entry procedures.

Which Course?

Different course lengths are provided for varying levels of fitness, and information about the courses available on the day will be displayed on a notice board near the registration. The course lengths will indicate the likely distance you will ride if you take the shortest reasonable route.

Courses & Formats

On the map, a red triangle marks the course start, with control positions being red circles. The finish is marked by a double red circle (often the same point as the start). There are several different formats that are used for events.

A Line Course consists of controls numbered consecutively from 1, and you must visit the controls in this specified order.

A Score Course does not require you to visit the controls in any particular order and there are several variations of score courses.

Some score courses have a set time limit, and controls are allocated varying "scores". The aim is to get as high a pointscore as possible in the time limit set. In a Spanish Score you must visit all the checkpoints on your course, but you can visit them in any order, with the fastest time winning.

Entry

After you have decided on your course you will need to fill in your details on a registration form and control card. Sometimes the registration form is a tear-off end of your control card.

At many MTB events, pre-marked maps are provided to entrants who register and pay in advance. These pre-entries usually close 2 weeks prior to the event but there will always be some "enter on day" courses available as well. If you are pre-entering an event, you will fill in your registration information at home, and the organisers will have your control card ready for you when you arrive at the event.

Registration information is most important as it provides the organiser with a record of all the participants in the event and is used as a check that you have returned safely.

You carry your control card (see sample below) on the course to record your visit to the controls using the numbered boxes. It can be handy to take a piece of string to attach your control card to your bike, or a zip tie can work well too.

Having completed the registration information, proceed to the registration table and pay the entry fee. There you will receive a copy of the map and the "control descriptions" for your course (sometimes the control descriptions are on a board at the control card table for you to copy onto your control card).

Control Descriptions

These accurately describe the location of the controls on your course when related to the master map for your course. Also included is the identifying code for the control to enable you to confirm you are at the right control! There is an international symbolic version used at some events but English translations will be available (or translation assistance offered).

In the example below, the Start is at a track bend. The code on the first control will be "106" and it will be located at a minor watercourse (at a spot where it runs close beside the track, because all markers are right beside tracks). The code on the second control is "124" and it will be located at a 1m high termite mound beside the track.

 

Course	1	23km
Start	ST	Track bend
1	(106)	Minor watercourse
2	(124)	Termite mound, 1m
3	(127)	Track crossing
4	(121)	Boulder, 2.5m
5	(109)	Northern track junction
6	(118)	Knoll
7	(MD)	Clearing, south side 100m to finish

The Map

An MTB orienteering map is specially made for our events and shows more detail than on the usual topographical map.

White areas on the map are forest, with green to show denser patches and yellow for open areas. Black is used for tracks, fences, powerlines, cliffs and other rock detail. Blue is for water features such as creeks and watercourses (these may only be dry channels), ponds and marshes. Brown is for earth features: earth banks, ditches, knolls and contour lines (joining points of equal height). Although contour lines are not directly visible on the ground, they indicate the shapes of the hills and valleys and are the best navigational aids. MTB orienteering uses an international standard for map symbols so that, once you are used to them, you can easily read the orienteering maps of any other country.

The scale of the map (together with a graphical representation of the scale) will also be shown. Most MTB orienteering maps are 1:25000. A vertical grid shows magnetic north.

Master Maps

If you have not pre-entered, you will copy your course from a master map at the start area.

The master map for your course will be clearly marked. Make sure you go to the correct master map and be sure to number the controls in a spot on your map that doesn't obscure relevant detail. It is advisable to draw lines between the circles to show the order in which you will be visiting the controls.

The Start

If you are uncertain about any aspect of the event, please ask for help before you set off. You should check that you have the following items, and will not lose them during the event: Bike helmet Map, control card & control descriptions Whistle (recommended) Compass (if needed)

At the start, report to the starter to have a start time allocated and written on your control card. Competitors on the same course are usually separated by two minutes at the start to minimise following. Once the starter calls your time or the clock sounds its long beep you may start.

Riding Rules

It's important to ride safely in the bush and a few basic rules have been drawn up to remind everyone to take care. Please wear your bike helmet at all times when you are riding. Ensure your bike is properly maintained, especially the brakes. Obey the normal road rules of keeping to the left, and approach all track crossings, corners and hillcrests with caution. Give way to overtaking riders and remember that riders going downhill should give way to those going uphill. Ride defensively and in control at all times.

It is also very important to take care of the environment. The organisers will ensure that any closed tracks or sensitive areas are avoided or marked clearly as out-of-bounds. It is up to you to stay off these areas and to ride in a manner that minimises the impact you and your bike have.

The way you ride will influence the image of MTB orienteering so practice low-impact cycling. Don't skid and don't ride around water bars -- erosion is a trail's worst enemy. Remember that you must stay on tracks marked on the competition map, no short cuts through the bush are allowed.

On the Course

As soon as you are ready, navigate to your first control. The first control should be taken particularly carefully, as you are not yet "into" the map and the way features are shown. Orient your map so that it is lined up with the ground using the track and your compass. Try to match mapped features with what you see around you and vice versa. Be aware of the distance you are travelling.

MTB-O courses are entirely on tracks and you must never take your bike off the marked tracks. Control markers will be located beside tracks so you won't need to leave the track to punch the control. In an MTB event, you must visit each control marker with your bike; you can't leave your bike and go to a control on foot.

At a Control

There are several different methods used for indicating the control, depending on the size of the event and its location. At most events a flag with pin punches will be used, either hung from an adjacent tree or a metal stand. At smaller events different markers can be used (including plates with number and code or even flower pots!). In some events it may be necessary to carry a pen or pencil to note the code on the marker being used. Whatever marker system is being used a sample will be displayed at registration.

          

Check that the identifying number on the marker matches that on your control descriptions. If you are sure it is your next control, use the pin punch to mark the corresponding square on your control card (or write in the code letter).

A pin punch is a bit like a stapler, with a number of pins which will leave a unique pattern of holes when you "punch" your control card. Insert your control card between the top and bottom of the pin punch, making sure the correct box on the control card will be marked, then press down firmly to "punch" your card.

Move away from the control a short distance and plan your route to the next control so others can punch their card.

If You Think You Are Lost

It is extremely rare for someone to be totally lost at an MTB orienteering event. It is more likely for you to be unsure of your exact position but to be somewhere relatively near the control. First try to relocate yourself. Use obvious features such as track junctions, hilltops or creeks if available, or go back to your previous control. You can ask someone for help - this is permitted for beginners though not for experienced orienteers!

If you are still "geographically embarrassed" head for a major road and follow it back to the start, or wait at any control you find for a competitor or the event officials to come and collect it! Only use the emergency whistle signal if really lost (or injured), as others are expected to abandon their course to assist you if they hear this signal (six blasts at ten second intervals, a minute pause then repeat).

The Finish

As you pass the finish (marked with a finish banner or often the same point as the start at small events) your time is recorded and written on your control card, which is collected from you. Your control card is checked to see that the correct controls have been visited and is then matched up with your result and registration card sections to ensure that all competitors have returned.

Always hand in your card when you return even if you have not completed the course. Courses close at a time predetermined by the event organisers (usually 2 to 3 hours after the last start) and you must return to the finish before then and hand in your card to avoid an unnecessary search.

Results

Provisional results are always displayed near the registration shortly after you finish. Final results are published in the Association Newsletter which is sent to all members. At a big event, results will be based on age classes and separated for Men and Women. At smaller events, results are based on the courses provided on the day.

After the Event

Keep your map to study and perhaps draw in the way you went and look for better route choices. You may like to discuss your event with a more experienced orienteer at the after event "post mortems" which are a feature of orienteering.

If you have enjoyed a few events you should consider joining the Association through one of our member clubs. This will ensure you receive Club and Association Newsletters with details of coming events, results and general items on our sport. It will also provide you with contact to your local club with opportunities for training and social activities (and someone to travel with to more distant events?) and often a cheaper entry fee at Championship events.

Mountain Devils Orienteering Club was formed for those who are mainly interested in MTB events so if this is your focus, please ask at any MTB event for a membership form, contact the club secretary or look on the web site.

Injury

As with all sports, injuries can occur. You can minimise the risks by warming up correctly, and obeying all directions from the event organisers. In case of minor injuries, the event organisers will have a first aid kit at the registration but it is advisable to have your own first aid kit available to treat any simple grazes or injuries.

If you are seriously injured on the course and unable to make your own way to the finish, the emergency whistle signal (six blasts at ten second intervals then a minute pause before repeating) can be used to attract help.

Care of the Environment

Our sport relies on the co-operation of landowners for the use of their property, so we need to ensure our activities cause no damage. Dogs and open fires are not permitted at events. All gates must be left in the position they were found.

"Leave No Trace" (energy bar wrappers, punctured tubes, etc.).

For More Information

Contact Mountain Devils Orienteering Club:

Email: davidw@mountaindevils.com