The Wellington MTB-Orienteering series returns to traditional format on Saturday at Tunnel Gully near Upper Hutt. There will be three courses of roughly 60-90min winning time, using the old Rimutaka railway and tracks nearby. Although there has been quite a lot of storm damage, course planner Michael Wood has cut bypasses round most of the problemm areas; you can expect short sections of walk to negotiate some of these. As usual, the tunnel will be declared "one-way" adding to the route choice puzzles for getting to the other side. A briefing will be available for those who haven't tried MTBO before.
The briefing will be held at 12:00, with registration 12:00 to 1:00. Starts will be 1:00 to 2:00. Course lengths (winning time) 90-100min for course 1, 80min course 2, 60min course 3. The location is in Tunnel Gully Reserve which will be signposted from SH2 at Te Marua Dairy. Te Marua is just north of Upper Hutt.
Entry fees will be $20, $10 for 18 and under, and a $5 discount for members of orienteering clubs. Subscriptions for the organising club Orienteering Hutt Valley will be accepted on the day. There will be six series events plus a championship in the area this year; see earlier details. Enquiries to Michael Wood Ph 04 566 2645.