MTBorienteering

Event Name: Klipdrift, Grabouw Mountain Bike Orienteering When: 14 September 2014 Where: Grabouw, Western Cape Category: MTB The sport of MTBO is a discipline of orienteering; and instead of running around on foot (which is the traditional form of orienteering), competitors use mountain bikes and a detailed map to navigate along paths and tracks from point-to-point. MTBO is different to your usual mountain bike race, where participant start at intervals of 1 or 2 minutes, similar to a time-trail. Registration from 9:30 Starts from 10:00 This event also includes foot-orienteering courses. Approximately 1 hour winning time, about 15-17 kms of riding. R120 entry fee, EMIT hire R15. PLEASE pre-enter on http://tinyurl.com/PenOCEvents by the 11th September. Please do register in advance or we might not have sufficient maps printed. Download the event sheet below for more details. Go to Event Page

@dirt-rider, yes you should start doing stuff like this! You get a map at the start, and there are a number checkpoints on the map that you have to visit in order. the B'sorah Farm event on Sunday was very well attended, and recieved excellent feedback. This Northern Farm event will be easier, as the riding (technically) at Northern Farm is generally far easier than B'sorah. The course distances are also shorter, so an excellent race to try out the sport. See you there!

Event Name: Northern Farms MTB Orienteering When: 28 September 2014 Where: Northern Farm, Gauteng Category: MTB Mountain Bike Orienteering is an orienteering sport on a Mountain Bike where navigation is done along trails and tracks, using a map to navigate between various control points. Riders choose their own routes between points. Registration from 8h30 to 9h30 Time-trial starts at 2 minute intervals from 9h00 to 10h00. Prize giving at 12h00. Long distance 20kms Middle distance 12kms Short distance 6kms EMIT (Electronic timing specific to orienteering) will be used. EMIT hire is included in the entry fee. Please enter online at: http://www.orienteer...petitionID=1792 All payments can be made on race day at registration. Go to Event Page

We will most certainly let you know! In future, we will be posting all MTBO events on The Hub. Keep a look out.

Online pre-entries close in 2 days time. Get your entries in now! Entries on the day will be accepted. Come and try something different on your mountain bike!

Event Name: B'sorah Farm Mountain Bike Orienteering When: 31 August 2014 Where: B'sorah Farm, Broederstroom, Gauteng Category: MTB Mountain Bike Orienteering is an orienteering sport on a Mountain Bike where navigation is done along trails and tracks, using a map to navigate between various control points. Riders choose their own routes between points. Registration from 8h00 to 9h00 Time-trial starts at 2 minute intervals from 8h30 to 9h30. Prize giving at 12h00 Long distance 23-25kms Middle distance 16-18kms Short distance 10-12kms EMIT (Electronic timing specific to orienteering) will be used. EMIT hire is included in the entry fee. Pre-enter on http://www.orienteeringonline.net/CompetitionBasicInfo.aspx?CompetitionID=1770 Pre-entries close on Wednesday 27 August. On the day entries also available. No Helmet, No ride. Go to Event Page

Event Name: MTB Navigation Challenge When: 27 July 2014 Where: Mokubalaan Plantation, Lydenburg, Mpumulanga Category: MTB How about this for an event? You get a fixed period of time - to go anywhere you want to. There's no defined course or route; just the period of time so the pairs don't exactly ride around aimlessly. They've got checkpoints to find. All the checkpoints out there in the great expanse are marked on the map that the pairs are given at the start. The teams can choose which of them they want to visit - in any order. The big challenge is to find the checkpoints and to make it back to the finish in time. The teams score points for every checkpoint successfully located and they lose chunks of points for every minute that they're late. This is the sport of rogaining, which Wiki defines as "a sport of long-distance, cross-country navigation, involving both route planning and navigation between checkpoints using a variety of map types". Pairs take to their mountain bikes and navigate their way on dirt roads, tracks and paths. There are two course options: three hours or five hours. This year the annual Mountain Bike Challenge, presented by Rand Orienteering Club, takes place in the forested Mokobulaan Plantation near Lydenburg, in Mpumalanga. There is also a running navigational challenge on Saturday 26th July for the multi-sport athletes out there. For more information on the full event, entry forms and entry information please visit www.roc.org.za. Entries close 20 July 2014 Go to Event Page

Custom made map boards for sale! R399, delivery 3-4 days. Order yours now. Contact Pat de Klerk directly at 073 200 1969 or email: patdeklerk@mweb.co.za. Order yours now in time for van Gaalens MTBO on 10 November.

The SA dealer for Mapdec (Alec) is listed on http://www.orienteering.co.za/event-calendar/mountain-bike-orienteering/ otherwise, check this video out for how to make your own map board: If all else fails, a simple clip-board cable-tied to your handle bars works just fine!! Hope to see you at the van Gaalen event.

Please enter online at ASG Events: https://www.asgevents.co.za/pages/events/raceSignUp.php?id=166 Hope to see some new faces at MTBO.

Hope to see many new faces at the MTBO race at Northern Farms on Sunday!! Entry to Northern Farms is not included in the race entry fee. Race entry fee is only R50, payable at registration. R30 for Northern Farm entry, pre-paid via Webtickets or at the gate. Registration on the day is accepted, get there by 8:00 for registration, starts will be from 9.

Get your entries in and come and experience something completely new on an MTB! Entries are also available on the day.

Event Name: Van Gaalens Magalies Mountain Bike Orienteering When: 10 November 2013 Where: van Gaalen Cheese Farm, Hartebeespoort, North West Category: MTB Mountain Bike Orienteering (more commonly referred to as MTBO) is a discipline of orienteering. Instead of running around on foot, competitors riding mountain bikes use a map to navigate from point-to-point. Routes must be navigated along trails and tracks as riders are not permitted to leave the track network. MTBO: maps and navigation Maps used for MTBO events are usually at a scale of 1:15,000 or 1:20,000. Trails and tracks are marked on mountain bike orienteering maps based on their riding difficulty, with four classifications: easy, slow, difficult and impossible to ride. Also, obstacles that require a dismount are usually marked on the map. So what do you need? Mountain bike, shoes and usual sparesHelmet: as with all mountain bike races, helmets are compulsory! No helmet, no ride.Map holder or map board (recommended): attached to the bike handlebars makes it possible to view the map at high speed without stoppingMap: provided by the event organiser, at the start line.Compass (recommended):helps you to move fast; in the right direction!Hydration: hydration packs / water bottles definitely recommended, especially for longer events. Remember that it takes longer to do a MTB O event than the same distance marked route; because navigating and thinking takes time (according to your experience and ability).Courses offered: Long: approximately 28 kms, winning time about 80 minutes Medium: approximately 18 kms, winning time about 50 minutes Short: approximately 10 kms, winning time about 30 minutes Technical stuff you need to know Brand new MTBO map!Map Scale 1:20 000 drawn to International MTBO standardsMix of singletrack, jeeptrack and open roads through bushveld, riverine forests and agricultural landsTerrain varies from technical rocky singletracks to fast flowing singletracks, sandy roads and jeep tracks. A mountain biker's dream!This is the bushveld, be prepared for thorns.NO HELMET, NO RIDE.Category Fee (includes entry fee to van Gaalen) Long: R90Medium: R80Short: R60EMIT hire additional for all categories: R10 (EMITs are compulsory for Orienteering) - if you don't know what an EMIT is, you don't have one!Please enter online at ASG Events: https://www.asgevent...gnUp.php?id=166 If you DO NOT own an EMIT, please “Add an EMIT” to your basket at checkout when entering on ASG Events website. Online entries close Wednesday 6 November 2013. On the day entries welcome, for an additional R10. NEWCOMERS ARE MOST WELCOME – INSTRUCTION WILL BE PROVIDED More information at http://www.orienteer...e-orienteering/ Or https://www.facebook...ringSouthAfrica Go to Event Page

It sure is lots of fun! It will be no problem for beginners. Its like reading a street map, just on trails and tracks! Details of the Mapdec local importer are on this page: http://www.orienteering.co.za/event-calendar/mountain-bike-orienteering/ Also, have a look at this YouTube video (made by an SA local), how to make a MTB mapboard: Map-boards are not compulsory, but are a huge help!

Event Name: Northern Farms MTB Orienteering When: 8 September 2013 Where: Northern Farm, Gauteng Category: MTB Mountain Bike Orienteering (MTBO) – is a discipline of orienteering. Instead of running around on foot, competitors riding mountain bikes use a map to navigate from point-to-point (on a completely unmarked route). MTBO – maps and navigation Maps used for MTBO events are usually at a scale of 1:15,000 or 1:20,000. Trails and tracks are marked on mountain bike orienteering maps based on their riding difficulty, with four classifications: easy, slow, difficult and impossible to ride. Also, obstacles that require a dismount are usually marked on the map. So what do you need? Mountain bike, shoes and usual spares Helmet – as with all mountain bike races, helmets are compulsory! No helmet, no ride. Map holder or map board (recommended, but not compulsory!) – attached to the bike handlebars makes it possible to view the map at high speed without stopping Map – provided by the event organiser, at the start line. Compass (recommended, but not compulsory!) – helps you to move fast… in the right direction! Hydration – hydration packs / water bottles definitely recommended, especially for longer events. Remember that it takes longer to do a MTB O event than the same distance marked route – because navigating and thinking takes time (according to your experience and ability).Times: Registration: 08:30 to 09:30 Starts: 09:00 to 10:00 (MTBO is not a mass start like a normal MTB event, individual starts are at 2 minute intervals) Courses Close: 12:00 Prize-giving: ±12:00 (or as soon as everyone has finished) Courses: - Long Course: ± 20km, 60-70 min winning time - Medium Course: ± 12km, 50-60 min winning time - Short Course: ± 6km, 30-40 min winning time – ideal for kids Entry Fees: Tickets to enter Northern Farm (R30) can be purchased online at www.webtickets.co.za (recommended) or at the farm - the guard at the gate will direct you to the ticket office. R30 entry to Northern Farms is NOT included in the race entry fee listed below. Race entry fees (all fees to be paid in cash on the day): Seniors (21+): R50 Juniors: R30 Groups (2 or 3 people): R80 Hire of electronic timing chip/ card for orienteering control punching: R10 Online entries can be done at: http://www.orienteeringonline.net/CompetitionBasicInfo.aspx?CompetitionID=1227 Go to Event Page