EVENT INFORMATION - 2023
The 2023 NZ MTBO Championships will be held close to Christchurch with a Middle Distance event at Bottle Lake on 29th April, Sprint on a new map of the Christchurch Red Zone (banks of the Avon River), and Long Distance event at "The Willows" on 30th April. The Champs are being hosted by Peninsula and Plains Orienteers (PAPO). This promises to be a fantastic weekend of competition, challenge, and fun for Mountain Bikers, Orienteers, and Adventure Racers of all abilities.
Courses will suit experienced and competitive mountain bike orienteers, however there will also be recreational courses for people newer to the sport, or who don't wish to compete at full pace. The recreational classes also cater for those wishing to ride the course on and E-Bikes. There will be also be a course set to cater for juniors below 10.
The information on the website gives preliminary information useful to know ahead of the NZ Champs happening. More detailed information will be provided in due course, including a detailed bulletin (which can be downloaded and printed) at least 1 week prior to the event.
Check in to this website to stay up to date with other information, including entries opening , entry lists going up, and any changes to plans that may happen prior to or during the event.
Courses will suit experienced and competitive mountain bike orienteers, however there will also be recreational courses for people newer to the sport, or who don't wish to compete at full pace. The recreational classes also cater for those wishing to ride the course on and E-Bikes. There will be also be a course set to cater for juniors below 10.
The information on the website gives preliminary information useful to know ahead of the NZ Champs happening. More detailed information will be provided in due course, including a detailed bulletin (which can be downloaded and printed) at least 1 week prior to the event.
Check in to this website to stay up to date with other information, including entries opening , entry lists going up, and any changes to plans that may happen prior to or during the event.
COURSES & GRADES
The NZ MTBO Champs includes 3 events:
- Sprint distance - a fast, short event with about a 22 min winning time
- Middle distance - a medium distance event with about a 45-60 min winning time
- Long distance - a longer distance event with about a 70-110 min winning time
Competitive Grades
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There are men's (M) and women's (W) grades, and specific distance/winning times varies across grades (see adjacent table).
The NZ Championships is contested in the Open and Age grades. Junior grades are in 2-year bands. e.g. M16 is open to males aged 16 or under (as at 31 Dec 2023). Masters grades are in 10-year bands e.g. W60 is open to women aged 60 or over (as at 31 Dec 2023). To calculate your age grade, base it on your age as at 31 Dec 2023. |
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Recreational Grades
Recreational classes are not championship events, and are open to anyone of any age, who may wish to participate in a less competitive environment. Recreational grades are also open to families, or people who may wish to ride with someone else in a pair or team.
E bikes are permitted in the recreational classes. When entering, please suffix your name with "ebike", so that organisers and fellow competitors are aware of those completing the course on E bikes.
There will be 3 options available for the recreational grades. All recreational grades will be mixed gender:
Recreational classes are not championship events, and are open to anyone of any age, who may wish to participate in a less competitive environment. Recreational grades are also open to families, or people who may wish to ride with someone else in a pair or team.
E bikes are permitted in the recreational classes. When entering, please suffix your name with "ebike", so that organisers and fellow competitors are aware of those completing the course on E bikes.
There will be 3 options available for the recreational grades. All recreational grades will be mixed gender:
- Rec Medium. Competitors will ride the M50 course (designed for competitive 50+ aged men).
- Rec Short. Competitors will ride the W60 course (designed for competitive 60+ aged women).
- Rec Easy. Specifically designed for competitors aged 10 and under.
KEY PEOPLE & CONTACT
- Event Organisers - Alister Metherell, Katie & Digby Symons.
- Middle Setter/Controller - Ryan Moore & Martin Peat
- Sprint Setter/Controller - Jacob Knoef & Dave Armstrong
- Long Setter/Controller - Alister Metherell & Aaron Prince
- Alan Moore: [email protected]
EMBARGOED AREAS
The following embargo conditions apply to venues being used for the NZ Champs:
- Middle Distance:
In terrain use of the Bottle Lake MTBO map prior to the championships.
You must not ride any of the Bottle Lake tracks on Friday 28th April, or on Saturday 29th April prior to the event. - Sprint Distance:
The part of the Christchurch Residential Red Zone bounded by New Brighton Road, Avondale Road, Avonside Drive, Gayhurst Road, apart from access to Kerrs Reach rowing and kayak clubs, and use of the Te Ara Ōtākaro Avon River Trail.
- Long Distance:
Waimakariri River Regional Park, between Intake Road and Chattertons Road / Minors Bank Road.
ACCOMMODATION
Christchurch has a huge range of accommodation which can be found online.
Spencer Beach Holiday Park is adjacent to Bottle Lake Forest, the location for the Middle Distance event. You must not ride the Bottle Lake tracks prior to the Middle Distance event.
Spencer Beach Holiday Park is adjacent to Bottle Lake Forest, the location for the Middle Distance event. You must not ride the Bottle Lake tracks prior to the Middle Distance event.
EVENT LOCATIONS
PRIOR MAPS
The maps used for the Sprint (Christchurch Red Zone) and Long Distance (The Willows) are new maps for this event. The Bottle Lake map has been used regularly for MTBO events, example map below.
| bottle_lake_mtbo_map.pdf |