MTBO Debut in South Canterbury

Ashburton, 16 Jul 05

Peninsula and Plains Orienteers announces the first MTB-Orienteering event in South Canterbury. This will take place in the beautiful countryside around the town of Ashburton, starting and finishing at Ashburton domain. The area is basically flat and all at sea-level, so route choice will be critical with controls (checkpoints) over a wide area, including the options of town streets, tar seal and gravel roads and riverside path. Perfect terrain to explore on a winter day! Will competitors choose to clean up the close controls on easy riding or travel further to get the higher points? Will they keep their feet dry?!?

The date is Sunday 8th August 2005 start at 10.00am (mass start). The event will be in a score (rogaine/ trailquest) format, with 2 and 4 hour options. Start and finish will be in Ashburton domain- from Christchurch follow SH1 into Ashburton (about 1 hour) and turn right at the first roundabout onto Walnut Avenue. Park at Ashburton domain sports pavilion. Registration/ start will be across the soccer pitches, over a small bridge and into the main picnic/ BBQ area.

Costs $12, with reductions for orienteering club members and juniors. You will need a roadworthy bike (mountain bike preferable, although large parts of the course would be accessible on all terrain or road bike with knobbly/ cyclocross tyres), helmet, spare tube, basic repair kit, pump, polypro, windproof/waterproof top and long leggings. A whistle and/ or cell phone and basic first aid kit are also advisable. You must be self-sufficient, as everyone will be following different routes it may be sometime before an injury or mechanical is noticed! You will also want to consider having a map board - see the Adventure Events webpage for simple instructions on how to make your own.

For those who wish to make a weekend of it, there will be a foot orinteering park race in Timaru on Saturday 7th August, and also foot orienteering (with beginners courses, and a twist for the more experienced) in Ashburton domain on Sunday. Accomodation is available in Ashburton sports pavilion on Saturday night.

Enquiries Ph 03 326 7696

Look out for more MTBO in Christchurh later in 2005 at McLeans Island, Bottle Lake Forest and the Port Hills.


This page was assembled by Michael Wood and installed on 19 Jun 05.