Glentress Mountain Bike Orienteering Event

Sat 05th Feb 2022

Info updated: 05th Feb
Type of event: MTBO
Type of terrain: Forest

Results

Provisional results are here.

Some competitors changed course on the day so if you are shown on the wrong course or you see anything else wrong please email as soon as you can.

A wet and windy morning with plenty of mud! Thank you to all competitors for braving the elements.

General Information

Welcome and Final Details (added Friday 4th February)

COVID 19: You should not attend the event if you are showing any symptoms of Covid 19 even though you have pre-entered. You should also not attend if you have specifically been asked to quarantine or self-isolate.  The event will be managed to take account of all Scottish Government Guidelines.  PLEASE: 
- do not arrive too early for your start block
- keep a 1m distance to others outwith your household
- use the hand sanitiser provided at the Start and Download.
These extra precautions are only required during your ‘race’ ie from the time you leave you car to go to the start to after you download (ie while you are in the “field of play”).

TERRAIN: Varied plantations, including characterful areas of Scots pine, Douglas fir and Norway spruce, and good views across the valley from the slopes of Cardie Hill. Like many forest areas in the Borders and beyond, Glentress Forest was severely affected by recent storms. Work is ongoing to ensure it is safe.  Course planning will take account of this.

DRESS: Please check the weather forecast and dress appropriately.  Check MTBO link below for specific information about safety rules.

MAP: 1:10,000, with a detailed inset section also mapped at 1:5,000 for greater clarity. NOTE: The start is indicated by a triangle on the map, and the finish is indicated by a double circle.

COURSE MAPS: These will be printed on strong (but not waterproof) paper.  There will be no control descriptions (as is normal for mountain bike orienteering).  

CONTROLS: Orienteering kites will be at each control site.

TIMING: We are using stopwatches for timing, so no SI dibbers are required for this event.

MAP BOARDS: There are a limited number of map boards which can be attached to your bike and borrowed for the event, then returned.

OTHER USERS: Glentress Forest is well used by the public, especially mountain bikers of all skill levels; please show courtesy to all and provide space when you pass, particularly in view of the fact COVID 19 is still very much with us.

GENERAL SAFETY: Specific course safety will be added here later.  Please note also that bike helmets are mandatory (additional safety information below).  

MOUNTAIN BIKE ORIENTEERING INFORMATION AND SAFETY RULES - PLEASE READ

MEDICAL CONDITIONS (not Covid): You have the option of downloading and completing this Medical Form. It could be life saving if the organisers are aware of any existing medical conditions in the event of an incident. You can put it in a sealed envelope and hand it to the Organiser on the day.  It will only be opened if required and destroyed or handed back to you after the event. If you can't easily identify the Organiser on the day please leave it with the start official (who will give it to the Organiser).

Location

Nearest town: Peebles

• Grid Ref:
• Postcode: EH45 8NB
• Latitude: 55.6433202
• Longitude: -3.1393893
• Google Map (aerial) - Bing Map (OS)

Directions

The turn-off for Glentress Forest is well signposted on the north side of the A72 between Peebles (about 5k east of Peebles) and Innerleithen (the google map pin is approximate).  Follow signs past the Peel Car Park uphill 5km to Buzzards Nest Car Park. 

What3words:  ///running.anchovies.purple

Head for the Buzzards Nest (upper) car park. There is likely to be a parking charge, more details to follow.

Registration & Start Times

BRIEFING and STARTS: Centred on Buzzard's Nest (upper) car park.  Arrive there before 10.15am, ready for a safety briefing at 10.30am.  STARTS from 10.30am to 11am.  Specific start times will not be allocated and riders will be set off at short intervals over this period.

Course Information

Courses A-D as below - something suitable for all abilities.

COURSES/DIFFICULTY

A - Tricky navigation – 7.4km
B - Tricky Navigation – 4.7km
C - Fairly Tricky Navigation – 3.5km
D - Easy Navigation – 2.1km

Please note that course lengths indicate the straight line distance between controls.  The distance you actually ride is likely to be up to around 30% longer, depending upon the route you take.  In mountain bike orienteering, a longer route can easily be faster, depending on track ride-ability and climb, etc.

Explanation of colour courses

• White are very easy with all controls on paths. They are mainly used by 6-10 year olds and family groups.
• Yellow use simple linear features like paths, walls and streams. They are mainly used by under 12’s and family groups.
• Orange progress to basic use of the compass and route choice. They are ideal for novice adults or experienced youngsters.
• Light Green are ideal for improvers as the navigational difficulty begins to increase and uses simple contours and point features.
• Green are used mostly by experienced under 18’s and adults wanting a short but challenging course with a very hard navigational difficulty.
• Blue are a longer, more physically demanding course in comparison to the green. The distances are more varied between controls and the course attracts experienced orienteers.
• Brown & Black are very physically demanding and have a very hard navigational difficulty. They are for experienced orienteers only.
• Score means visiting as many controls as possible in any order in a specific time, like 45mins.

Entry Details

Pre entry only. Please enter by Friday 4th Feb on BMBO website.

ENTRY FEES
Day Rider £8.00
BMBO Member £7.00
Youth Entry £4.00

Contacts / Officials

Keith Dawson, Karena Hanley and Walter Clark (ESOC)

Enquiries:  

Safety and Risk

A comprehensive risk assessment will have been carried out by the organiser, but participants take part at their own risk and are responsible for their own safety during the event.

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