MTB orienteering event creates a GPS category

The events, which started in the early 90s are a fast moving mountain bike orienteering format, which tests riders speed on the bike along side their navigational and route planning skills.

The events have traditionally barred the use of GPS, but as the technology has developed and become more popular, it’s become hard for the organisers to ignore. The result is the new, gadget-friendly ‘GPS Open’ category.

Trail Breaks’ Martin Harrison said: “We’ve been making GPS downloads available for our Southern Trail Rides for a while now and riders love them. More and more are using them and enjoying the rides more as result.

“The Navigators are different, as your map reading skills are an integral part of the contest and we don’t want to dilute that. But we do want to open the events up and keep them current and there’s something sort of natural about pairing them with GPS. Navigators are an ideal way to get some great use out of your GPS and GPS Open is the perfect way for traditional map-o-phobes to try out exciting events. In fact, combining your GPS and map to take on a Navigator is great way to improve your map reading skills.”

Pre entries into the GPS Open category will be sent course files prior to the event so that they can arrive with a pre loaded device; however to retain an element of surprise, two versions of the route will be sent and the one to be used will only be revealed at the start. Entries on the day for the category will only be available to those who can provide their own way of loading the route into their GPS at the event.

The Navigator series runs monthly throughout the winter season. Dates and locations are as follows:

9th November: Princes Risborough
7th December: Queen Elizabeth Country Park (South Downs)
11th January: Shackleford (nr Guildford)
8th February: Woodcote (nr Reading)
March 8th: Location to be confirmed