Trailquests and Navigators are popular mountain bike orienteering competitions, usually held on public rights of way, where solo competitors or teams of two need to collect as many points as possible within a prescribed time, somewhere between two and seven hours depending on the event. They are suitable for riders of all abilities and are treated as a fun day out, getting lost in the countryside by some and taken extremely seriously by others. Maps are provided and GPS is widely permitted with some organisers providing detailed GPS downloads.

You can usually pre-enter online or for a small extra fee “on the day” entry is possible. There are some variations on formats used by different organisers but the principles are roughly the same.

On registration you will receive a map, usually a 1:50000 Ordnance Survey, which can either be laminated or a clear bag  provided to keep it dry. The map can be of any size depending on the event; however A4 and A3 are the most popular. It will be pre-marked with numbered checkpoints or controls spread over the map and it’s these checkpoints you have to find by navigating your way to them using any legal route. As a rule of thumb, if it’s legal for a bicycle to use a track then you can use it in your route, but do check the rules. You will also be given a means of recording your visits to these checkpoints, either a punch card with the checkpoint numbers marked on it or a very simple to use electronic “dibber”.

Section of a MidlandTrailquests map

When you have the map, sit down and study it. You need to work out a route you think you can do in the time allowed. Remember, you will lose points for every minute you’re late back, so don’t over estimate your abilities. Look at all the checkpoints and try to work out the best route in and out of each one. At this point you only know the positions of the checkpoints and not their values; you don’t have that information until the start.

Once you’ve decided on your route get prepared for the start. You’ll need your bike and helmet, suitable clothing, food, water, watch, waterproof pen and a map holder. A handlebar mounted map board is favoured as you can read the map on the move with the map secured by elastic bands or bulldog clips. If you don’t want to rush out and buy one, you can easily make one with a clip board and some cable ties. Some organisers require you to carry other items such as a first aid kit, whistle etc. it’s best to check their rules when you enter.

Now make your way to the start. If you are using an electronic “dibber” your time will start as soon as you dib it in the starting box.

SPORTident Dibber

If you’re using a punch card the starter will give you a start time and record this on the card. Once you’ve started, make a note of the time and you’ll be given a score card with all the checkpoint values marked on it. Copy these values directly on to the map with the waterproof pen and get going……..the clock’s ticking.

It’s likely at this point you realise all the pre-start route planning was a complete waste of time as some of the checkpoints you were intending to visit are worth ten points each and all the others fifty. Now you need to adapt your original route on the go, and try to collect as many of the high scores as possible.

When you arrive at a checkpoint it may not be readily visible but it should be marked in some way, so as long as you’re in the right place you’ll find it quickly. There will either be a punch or electronic scoring box attached to a fixed point, fence post, tree etc. If you’re at checkpoint 5, punch box no. 5 on your punch card or stick your “dibber” in the box until it beeps.

Keep an eye on the time. You’ll find the last hour will go much quicker than you think and it’s easy to end up 15kms from the finish with only 15 minutes left. A circular route is often the best, so try and collect checkpoints on the way out and on the way back.

When you get back to the finish hand your card in or dib the finish box…….it’s over!

Make your way back to the event centre where you can receive your result and treat yourself  to some recovery food.

Some useful links:

MidlandTrailquests

Navigator

TrailTrax

Polaris

Trailquest

Cyclo-Cross (often abbreviated to ‘Cross) is generally an autumn and winter sport. Massed starts make for exciting races, usually no more than an hour in length – and shorter for juniors, women and veterans. There are usually free-to-enter races for younger riders. Some organisers are now starting to run summer series, which are proving very popular.

Lapping it Up! Cyclo-Cross races are usually multi lap events, held on short (typically less than a mile and often less than half a mile), grassy courses, generally in public parks or on school playing fields. Less technically demanding than Mountain Biking, Cyclo-Cross often requires riders to dismount to clear artificial obstacles – often wooden boards. The ability to swap smoothly and quickly from riding to running and back to riding in one fluid motion is a key skill for advanced riders.

Private Battles:
The short lap lengths mean that better riders often lap some of the slower competitors, but that’s not the end of the race – you can still submerge yourself in the action, enjoy your own private battles and forget whether you are first or a hundred and first – that’s the beauty of the sport: it’s what you make of it that counts.

Bike Facts:
Cyclo-Cross machines look very similar to road bikes, with dropped handlebars and thin tyres – however the latter have a knobbled-tread for grip, powerful brakes, low gears and better frame clearances to prevent clogging with mud, all of which adds up to make them easy to handle on the rough.

**This content is used courtessy of British Cycling.
VC10 recommend that all riders join British Cycling for the insurance and numerous other benefits membership provides. For more details please visit: http://new.britishcycling.org.uk/membership

Tracks:
Track racing takes place on short specially built tracks consisting of two tight, banked corners joined by two short straights. Tracks range hugely in length – outdoor tracks usually being longer and with shallower bankings – but Olympic and World Championship Track racing is generally held on indoor 250m wooden tracks. Many outdoor tracks are concrete or tarmac surfaced.

Bikes:
Track bikes are relatively simple, lacking the gears and brakes of their Road cousins. With bikes having a fixed wheel (forcing you to pedal continuously) the rider controls speed through pressure applied to the pedals. Bikes fall into two broad categories:

Upright bikes with conventional dropped handlebars, traditional spoked or carbon spoked wheels. These bikes are used for bunch races, Keirin and Match Sprint.

Low-profile bikes, with extended “trathalon” style bars, allowing the rider to adopt a more aerodynamic position. Wheels are often four-spoked carbon or carbon disc. Handling and manoeuvrability are sacrificed for aerodynamic efficiency. These bikes are used for Pursuit races and Kilo and 500m Time Trial.

TRACK RACING – A GUIDE TO THE MAIN EVENTS

Track events can be split into two main types Sprint events, which generally last for less than two minutes and Endurance events which can be up to 40km in length.

Sprint Events

Kilometre Time Trial (500 metres for women):
A time trial against the watch, ridden from a standing start. No qualifying rounds, make this a high-pressure, one-chance event.

Team Sprint:
Three man teams ride three laps of the track (750m on Olympic standard 250m Tracks). After the first lap, the first rider peels off and plays no further part in the race. After the second lap the second rider also pulls off, leaving the third rider to complete the event and record the team’s time. Technically demanding, the aim is for the first two riders to shield and slipstream the third rider for two laps (slipstreaming can save up to 30% of energy) leaving them relatively fresh for the last lap. Usually ridden two teams at a time (starting opposite sides of the track) with a qualifying round, with the four fastest winning teams going through to the finals for gold/silver and bronze.

Keirin:
The Keirin (Japanese for “fight”) is a race in which riders sprint for the line after completing a series of laps behind a single motorbike pacer (derny). The pacer gradually builds up speed, with riders jockeying for position behind (riders must not pass the “derny” until it pulls off). The derny pulls onto the track infield with 2 and a half laps to go and from then on it’s a free-for-all to the line. Tactical and often very physical, it’s a great spectator event. Usually ridden with heats, repechage and major (medals) and minor placings finals.

Match Sprint:
Simple head-to-head sprinting between two riders over three laps of the track. At the highest level there is usually a qualifying 200m flying start time trial to organise the seeding. From then on there are a series of knockout rounds leading to quarter-finals, semis and the final. These latter rounds are usually ridden on a best of three basis.

Endurance Events

Individual Pursuit:
The ultimate head-to-head endurance race. Riders begin from a standing start in pairs on opposite sides of the Track and literally “pursue” each other for 4000 meters (3000 meters for women). There is usually a qualifying round from which the fastest riders progress either to a second round where the top eight ride off for places in the gold/silver and bronze finals. In the finals, the fastest rider wins, unless one rider is caught by the other, at which point the race is over.

Team Pursuit:
Team version of the individual pursuit. A male only discipline. The major difference to the individual version is that the four riders share the workload, with the lead rider staying at the front for only a lap or so before swinging up the track (right) and re-joining the four man line at the back. A technical event, team-mates often ride only centimetres apart to maximise slipstreaming effects. Times are taken on the third rider of the team to cross the line: the slowest rider in a team often sacrifices himself in later stages of the event and pulls up the track to let his team-mates complete the race without him.

Points Race:
A bunch race (20-30 riders) competing over 20, 30 or 40km. Riders aim to gain points, with the highest score winning the event. Points can be scored at “Intermediate” sprints, often every 10, 20 or 25 laps. Large numbers of bonus points can also be scored by lapping the field. A very tactical event, with alliances being formed and broken and dramatic attacks being chased down by the field. Requires speed, stamina, the ability to sprint quickly to grab points and a cool head.

Madison:
Effectively a Points Race for two-man teams (though the points scoring works slightly differently – see below). Only one rider per pairing is ever actually racing. The other rider circles the track high up the banking awaiting being caught by his team-mate at which point he swoops down and, after a hand sling (difficult to describe, but basically the rider who is “in” takes the hand of his team-mate and transfers his momentum to him through a mixed handshake and slinging motion) takes over the racing for the pair. Highly technical, a challenge to watch, but very exciting and almost balletic at times. Again, the winner is the team with the most points – however, unlike Points Races, laps gained over the field do not produce bonus points – instead laps gained actually have priority over points scored. So if only one team laps the field, they win irrespective of the number of points scored. And if several teams lap the field, they then are ranked according to points scored. This puts extra emphasis on taking laps, which subtly influences tactics used.

Scratch Race:
A simple bunch race, usually held over 10, 15, 20 or 25 km with the first over the line the winner. Tactical moves include lapping the field. Riders with endurance but poor sprinting abilities will favour this tactic, whilst riders with a powerful sprint will favour saving their efforts to the very end.

**This content is used courtesy of British Cycling.
VC10 recommend that all riders join British Cycling for the insurance and numerous other benefits membership provides. For more details please visit: http://new.britishcycling.org.uk/membership

Downhill
Who is quickest top to bottom? Who brakes latest, corners fastest and rides nearest to the edge of their ability? Downhill is the ultimate test of nerve and machine control. Riders race individually against the clock pitting themselves against a challenging succession of jumps, bumps, berms (cambered corners) and drop-offs on a course which is predominantly downhill – often dropping between 300 and 600 metres in perhaps 2.5 km of racing! Races usually last between 2 and 5 minutes.

For Downhill, a full-face helmet and body armour are recommended! Bikes are highly specialised, featuring several inches of suspension front and rear. Frames are strong and light. Tyres are very broad and heavily knobbled. Transmission consists of only a single front sprocket and the chain has guides to help keep it on through the heavy knocks and vibration of competition. Brakes are very powerful discs. Weight is less of an issue than in Cross-Country and geometry is set up to provide straight line stability.

Four Cross (4X)
4-Cross pits 4 riders at a time against each other over a short, mainly downhill course: usually a mixture of natural and man made obstacles including stutter bumps, double jumps, table tops, step ups, drop offs, moguls, bermed or off camber corners and gap jumps. First over the line wins and events usually involve a series of qualifying rounds or “motos” and then semis and finals. The start is controlled by a BMX-style mechanical gate.

Clothing is robust and heavily protective, like in Downhill. As speed off the line is essential (a lot of races are won and lost by who gets into the first corner in the lead) Bikes tend to be “hardtail” (no rear suspension), which makes them more responsive to pedaling and lighter. Wheelbases are relatively short to aid manoeuvrability. Saddles are something of an afterthought as races are mostly ridden standing up.

4-Cross is the perfect stage for riders with personality and verve – you will often see top riders demonstrating their best “moves” even in the midst of a big race. Physical contact and crashes are frequent and, on well designed courses, 4-Cross is perhaps the most spectator friendly cycle racing of all. Floodlit competition brings its own atmosphere and at World level crowds can be in the tens of thousands.

Cross-Country & Marathon
Endurance, fitness and machine control all combine to make a top Cross-Country rider. Riders start together (massed start) and compete on a marked lap (typically three to six kilometres) with climbing, descending, single-track and technical sections (tight turns, narrow tracks, rocks, mud or other difficult terrain). Less experienced riders tackle fewer laps. Elite level riders race for up to 2 and a half hours and an even longer “Marathon” category made its debut at the 2003 World Championships – Marathons can be 50km, 100km or even 150km in length.

Clothing is light – not dissimilar to that worn by Road riders – with an emphasis on cooling qualities and comfort. Bikes are extremely light and often very technically advanced. There has been a move towards full suspension (suspension for both front and back wheels) in recent years, but for some courses and conditions a “hardtail” is still favoured by many competitors. Frames are light aluminium, titanium and in increasing numbers carbon fibre. Tyres are light and generally knobbled, though a variety of tread patterns are available for different conditions. Disc brakes are increasingly popular.

As well as hard-core Cross-Country and Marathon racing, there has been a huge growth in Enduro racing in recent years. Enduros comes in many forms – 100km and 12 and 24 hours (often with two and four man team options) are just some of the popular options. Huge fields make a for a great atmosphere and, whilst the more able riders treat them as seriously as any other race, for many they are a chance to enjoy riding in company or have a weekend away with friends.

**This content is used courtesy of British Cycling.
VC10 recommend that all riders join British Cycling for the insurance and numerous other benefits membership provides. For more details please visit: http://new.britishcycling.org.uk/membership

Time trials are an individual or team event against the clock – fastest time wins. Riders often utilise the latest aerodynamic bikes, skin suits, aero helmets, low profile bars and disc wheels to slice through the air with as little resistence as possible and acheive the best time.

Time trials are usually over a distance of 10, 25 or 50 miles with some more specialist events covering longer distances or even timed events such as the 12hour where riders cover as much distance as possible in the allotted time.

Known as ‘The Race of Truth’, time trials are often seen as a true indicator of a riders ability with ‘nowhere to hide’. Stage races such as the Tour de France are often won or lost in such stages with the winners usually excelling at the discipline, examples being Lance Armstrong and more recently Alberto Contador.