Mountain bike orienteering

Mountain bike orienteering

Mountain Bike orienteer with hard tail mountain bike, clipless pedals, and map holder.
Highest governing body	International Orienteering Federation
Characteristics
Contact	Non-contact
Team members	Individual
Mixed gender	Separate categories
Categorization	Outdoor

Mountain bike orienteering

Mountain bike orienteering (MTB-O or MTBO) is an orienteering endurance racing sport on a mountain bike where navigation is done along trails and tracks. Compared to foot orienteering, competitors usually are not permitted to leave the trail and track network. Navigation tactics are similar to ski-orienteering, where the major focus is route choice while navigating. The main difference compared to ski-orienteering is that navigation is done at a higher pace, because the bike can reach higher speeds. As the biker reaches higher speeds, map reading becomes more challenging.

Equipment

Preferred bike type is a robust mountain bike meant for cross-country cycling, but any type of bike can be used. Depending on terrain type either hard tailed or full suspension mountain bikes are more appropriate. Clipless pedals with a special cycling shoe are mostly used by elite bikers to maximize power transfer and efficiency. Bicycle helmets are usually a requirement in competitions.

Special equipment

Special equipment required is a map holder attached to the handlebar of the bike. Known brands for map holders are Miry, Devotech, Nordenmark, Autopilot and Windchill. Many riders also use some type of card holder cord with a spring-loaded mechanism to draw the cord back after use. A compass is mostly not used. Competitors may carry repair tools and spare parts during races.

Map

Maps are usually smaller scale (1:10 000 - 1:30 000) and less detailed than standard orienteering maps. Trails and tracks are marked on mountain bike orienteering maps based on their riding difficulty, with four classifications: easy, slow, difficult and impossible to ride. Also, obstacles that require a dismount are usually marked on the map. ^[1][2]

Organization and events

MTB-O is one of four orienteering sports governed by the International Orienteering Federation. First World Championships was arranged year 2002 in Fontainebleau, France. Since year 2004 World Championships has been arranged every year. European Championships have been arranged since year 2006. Mountain bike orienteering is most popular in European countries and Australia.

Mountain bike orienteers

The most successful mountain bike orienteer is Mika Tervala, Finland who has taken ten World Championship and five European Championship medals. Other successful mountain bike orienteers are Päivi Tommola, Michaela Gigon, Ruslan Gritsan and Christine Schaffner.^[3]

See also

• Alleycat races
• Bicycle racing
• Adventure racing
• Mountain biking
• Mountain bike racing

References

1. ^ "Welcome to Orienteering!". Orienteering Association of Western Australia. http://wa.orienteering.asn.au/home/. Retrieved 2008-05-26. 
2. ^ "International Specification for MTB Orienteering Maps 2007". International Orienteering Federation. 2007. http://www.orienteering.org/i3/index.php?/iof2006/content/download/1394/6548/file/International%20Specification%20for%20MTB%20Orienteering%20Maps%202007.pdf. Retrieved 2009-06-16. 
3. ^ "World MTB Orienteering Championships". International Orienteering Federation. http://www.orienteering.org/i3/index.php?/iof2006/results/mountain_bike_orienteering/world_mtb_orienteering_championships. Retrieved 2009-06-16. 

External links

• International Orienteering Federation
  • Discipline information
  • Rules and guidelines
• Map holders
  • Twister Map Boards
  • Miry
  • Nordenmark
  • Devotech
  • Autopilot
  • Windchill
• Events
  • EOC/JWOC/EMOC/EYOC MTB-O 2009
  • Mountain Bike World Orienteering Cup 2009