FAST AND THE FURIOUS - THE SEQUEL
48 Entries Results|Routegadget |Lost Property
Setters Post Event Ramblings:
Thanks to everyone that showed up, especially those who knew what they might have been in for on this map. The condition of the tracks (espeically in the northern part of the map) made setting the line course problematic, hopefully everyone enjoyed the challenge that it posed on the day. As an aside you might like to know the first version of the line course took me 50 mins to get half way around! What was ridden on the day was version 3 and a lot easier than it could have been. Pity the tag line could not live up to its name, to my knowledge only 2 people cleared the course with time to spare (I may be wrong and apologies if I am), others came very close. It was also pleasant to see other orienteers getting their left/right or east/west mixed up at the road crossing - good to see i'm not the only one.
Thanks to my helpers before, during and after the event. Without them events would be much more stressful on the setter. So thanks to Denis Lyons and Geoff Todkill for vetting and pre riding the course. Thanks again to Denis for helping me put out controls. Thanks to Carolyn Chalmers, Andrew and Nicole Haigh, Denis (again), Peter Newton (who turned up with all the gear) and everyone else (who I'm sorry I didn't see) who helped setup the tent, registration, the computer and the start and finish (and control 109) and at the end pull it all down again. And finally thanks to my control collectors Denis (yes again), Nicole Haigh, Bert Van Netten, Malcolm Roberts and Carolyn Matthews and special thanks go to Steven Todkill for doing what noone else wanted to and head back out onto the line course to bring back in the controls.
Final thanks to my wife Caroline, who turned up to help on Registration and the computer, despite being up early with our daughter, and then afterwards headed off to check one of the upcoming Park Events.
Pre Event Ramblings:
For those that remember the last time I set on the O'donnelltown map (it was a score course only) the tracks were fast and the riding furious to get the bonus points on offer due to the smaller size of the map. This time I have more map to play with, but its still smaller than a regular event as I only wanted competitors to cross the road once during the event. Even with the mud and (deep) puddles I still expect the 'gun' riders to clear the course in the time allowed.
Course Setter: Shane Jenkins
Start Times: 8:00am – 9:00am
Course: Approx 6km Line Course followed by Score Course. You can expect to ride approx 18km to clear both courses.
Notes: Given the recent weather the area is muddy and has lots of water on the tracks. Recent 4WD activity (they play in the mud) has churned this up even more. Riding will (probably) be slower than expected previously. Riders are advised to approach water with caution as some of the holes can be quite deep (as I know only too well). A more detailed parking instruction is now on the map below ~ Red = no parking while Blue = Parking. It is easier to view by making it full screen (icon is top right of map) and zooming in. The no parking area is for rider safety. When Crossing O'Donnelltown road riders are advised to stick to the left until ready to cross ensuring more time to check for cars. More detailed notes about the map will be available on day on the noticeboard.
Directions: From West Wallsend proceed west along Carrington Street and then Railway Street. Turn right into O’Donelltown Road and follow signs.
Parking: The line course crosses O'Donnelltown road - Competitors are asked for rider saftey if arriving after 8am to park on the EASTERN part of the road. As indicated on the map below in blue. Parking on the southern track is not permitted. If parking to the WEST extreme caution is required if leaving the event before last competitor crosses the road.