Introduction: Orienteering is a great way to exercise both your body and your brain. Mountain Bike Orienteering (MTBO) is a variation of orienteering which involves navigating a course while riding a bike.
Bike Orienteering Summer Series (BOSS): In a BOSS event you ride around a course navigating to as many checkpoints as you can within a 75 minute time limit. The location and point value of each checkpoint (known as “controls” and marked in the field with a flag) are given to you on a specially prepared detailed map which shows the ridabilty (slow to fast) of all tracks and trails as well as the topography (hills!) and other features. You choose which controls to visit and which route you take to get to them. If you exceed 75 minutes riding time you lose points.
To verify which controls you visit BOSS events use the "MapRun" GPS app, which you install on your phone or smartwatch. When you ride to a control flag MapRun will beep and record the code number of the control and the time you visited as well as your GPS track.
BOSS events have two course options: An "All-Score" course where you choose which controls to visit within the time limit; and a "Line-Score" course where the first part of the course is a set sequence of controls, followed by a score course section (generally for fitter, more experienced riders). There are separate categories for men, women and teams and there is also an e-bike class. (Teams and e-bikes must ride in the All-Score course).
Who Can Compete: Open to all-comers with sufficient skills for riding bush tracks and trails, from beginners through to experiened riders. (Note competitors under 15 years old must be accompanied by someone older and enter the Team category). The map reading required for BOSS events is generally at an easier level and suitable for beginners. Navigation and decision making skills will develop with more experience and club members are available to help newcomers at all events.
What You Need: Bike in good order, helmet, water bottle and (ideally) a mapboard to display your map while riding (can be hired). You will need to have a phone or smartwatch with the “MapRun” GPS app installed.
When Is It: Bike Orienteering Summer Series events are held monthly on Sunday mornings from October through March. Start times available from 8.00am to 9:00am (start window may vary).
(There are also other MTBO events throughout the year including State and National championships which are open to all competitors).
Where Is it: Each BOSS event is in a different location. Newcastle Orienteering Club has MTBO maps for bush areas around Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Lower Hunter. BOSS gives mountain bikers the opportunity to ride new trails in areas you would not otherwise visit. See the latest calendar for the location of this season's BOSS events.
Cost: Click here to see the current entry fees.
Entering: Online entry (via Eventor) before the day of the event is much preferred but you can enter on the day. Click here to see how to enter as a first timer.