SA Mountain Bike Orienteering Championships
Tuesday, 13 October 2009
A reminder that entries for the SA MTBO Championships close this Friday.
Entries as of 18th October: FoxCreekMTBOEntriesByClass091019.txt
The Fox Creek map area is looking great at the moment, so if you are not in a competitive mode, you should also enter and enjoy the panoramic scenery that can be obtained from some of the high ridges and hilltops. And don’t be put off by the hilly to steep terrain as many of the vehicle tracks are built on the contour with undulating to moderate slopes. The Lenswood area is also particularly attractive at this time of the year as the fruit trees are in bloom.
All courses have been finalised with course lengths as follows:
Typical vehicle track in the pines
Cs1 25.5km M21A
Cs2 18.5km W21A, M40A, M50A, M20A
Cs3 13.7km W40A, W20A, M60A, W50A, M16A
Cs4 10.0km M70A, W60A, W16A, MOpenB
Cs5 7.5km W14A, M14A, WOpenB
Enter on the day available for Courses 3 and 5 only.
Climb on all courses for the optimal route is 3 - 3.5 %.
The Australian Edition of the IOF track classification system has been used as shown on the attached MTBO Fox Creek legend. Competitors may ride across Open land, but not Open land with scattered trees; or Rough open land.
Only skilled ‘downhill’ riders should consider using the Difficult tracks as these may be very rough, steep or dangerous to the average rider. In all cases there is an alternative route choice. Please choose a track accordingly to your ability.
On some courses there is one section of single track ‘one way riding’. This is shown on the map and in the field. You will be disqualified if you ride in the wrong direction. However there may be other sections of single tracks where you may encounter oncoming cyclists, so keep left and take care.
Also note the symbol for Elongated knoll. These are elongate mounds that have been formed at the entrance of some vehicle tracks. Cyclists may ride around the mounds to gain access to an otherwise ‘road closed to vehicles’.
There is one “Object across road” symbol on the map. This is passable but you will need to carry your bike oven a few metres of fallen pine trees. Given the recent wild weather conditions there may be some fallen trees across roads and tracks and hence these will not be mapped, but if discovered in time riders will be advised.
It will be important for competitors to read the Control Descriptions (available for download) as to the precise location of the flag in relation to the control feature. In some cases the flag may not be immediately apparent from your direction of travel, hence careful map reading and knowing the control description may be to your advantage. Further, only International control descriptions are printed on the map (front), although English and International descriptions will be available at the Pre start (at -2 minutes). A list of all Control Descriptions, in English and International, are attached for your information.
Sportident for timing and control verification is being used, with SI units and flags on metal stands.
A departure from normal is that course marking will only show the order or sequence number that the controls are to be visited in, that is, the actual number on the control stand will not be shown on the map. This has been necessary given the complexity of map detail in some areas and the close proximity of some controls as having both numbers would obliterate too much map detail. Hence you will need to check the control number from the control descriptions. A control description holder or pouch attached to your forearm is recommended.
Starts are between 10.00am to 11.30am. The entry gate at Fox Creek will be open between 9.30 am and 10.30am. If late you may need to park on the road verge and ride / walk about 950m to the assembly area.
Presentation will be at 1.00pm.
Complimentary cake, tea and coffee will be provided.
Enjoy.
Adrian Uppill, Course Planner and Mapper
Narrow track for technical riding in pines
Six way intersection of vehicle tracks with pines, native forest and open land
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