Trail Cyclist Association general event formats (27/06/2008 02:23:46)

Mountain Bike Orienteering

Events are organised by affiliated clubs. Non-members of the association are welcome to compete in any event on payment of a day membership fee. While the basic format of each event is the same, entrants will find that some events may have their own particular style. Event details will be sent to members usually at the beginning of the month preceding the event. Details can also be obtained from the web site and last minute changes / cancellations are notified on the TCA hotline.

Trailquest (TQ) Format

TQ events are always score orienteering competitions. They use Ordnance Survey maps and are typically 2 to 7 hours long. 20 to 30 controls of varying values are positioned alongside bridleways, byways and forestry trails.

At the start of the event you will be given a map and a control description sheet with the control values.

Each event has its own time limit (1 to 7 hours) and you must visit as many control sites as possible making route choice and navigational skills a high priority. Where appropriate competitors may approach the control on foot. Lateness of return to the event centre incurs penalties. Control sites are identified by red/white markers, each of which carries a unique punch (usually electronic), which is punched as evidence of a visit.

MTB-O Format

MTB-O are shorter navigational events typically around 2 hours in length and using orienteering style maps. MTBO events have a greater concentration of controls within a smaller event area of often great complexity. MTBO’s are usually organised as a navigational time trials, with the fastest rider being the winner. It is a mistake to think the fastest rider wins, the best navigators win these events.

The three most common formats are: Fixed Order - riders must visit all controls following a fixed sequence; Free Order - riders must visit all controls, but in any order and Score, the rider must get the highest score possible within a limited time.

For the fixed sequence events, it is not legal to use Public Bridleways. This means that permissive areas such as Forestry trails rather than public Bridleways must be used. It is legal to ride on a footpath provided you have the landowners permission to do so. However you do not have the right to ride on a footpath, only the right to use it by foot.