Discussion: RouteGadget Available

The courses look interesting. Were the rough open areas mapped in yellow permitted as route choices for competitors?

congrats on your first mtb-o

Yellow was permitted. Also, any open (white) woods was OK for a bike carry.

Although turnout was disappointing, those that participated enjoyed the event. I apologize for the misplace of control 2.

I'm not sure what could be done to improve the turnout. Factors going against us could include:
1. lack of prior O experience among the MTB crowd and the fear of trying something new.
2. other MTB events going on in the area on the event day.
3. the difficult task of converting an existing map to the MTBO standards. It would actually seem easier to produce a new map from scratch.
4. at least in our club, we don't have many folks that are into MTB.
5. finding suitable locations with a trail network that can provide true route choices.

For those clubs willing to try, I would encourage them to utilize the map conversion tutorial provided by Greg Lennon. After explaining how to convert the map, it uses pictures of trails to give you the idea of what the MTBO trail symbols play out in real life.

I would agree with #5: it's seems tough to find a park that is good for mtb with enough decision points (there are parks with good mtb but long distances between intersections or not a lot of them). But I also realized that people will have fun and be challenged on a course that doesn't look all that complex.

People who like orienteering but don't mountain bike much will get an adventure on just the aspect of mountain biking.

People who mountain bike but don't read maps will have plenty of challenge just staying on course.

And a mountain bike orienteer will just be happy there is an event!