Mountain Bike Orienteering
Mountain Bike Orienteering (MTBO) uses traditional orienteering maps and are usually held within forests containing a good network of tracks and paths, providing a variety of route choices. The sport is enjoyed by enthusiasts from both an orienteering and cycling background. The most important orienteering skills needed are route choice and map memory. Extremely good bike handling and the ability to cope with steep slopes and hills is an absolute must for a top level athlete.
Mountain bike orienteering can be practised in many different types of terrain. The essential requirement is a large number of paths, tracks and roads offering the athlete challenging navigation. Navigating between control points means matching map to ground at high speed and correctly interpreting the maze of paths and tracks. As an environmental safeguard, competitors may not leave paths and tracks.
Mountain bike orienteering is the newest of the orienteering disciplines administered by the International Orienteering Federation. It started in the late 1980s at club level in countries where mountain biking was a popular outdoor sport. World Championships in MTBO have been held since 2002.
Please contact John Houlihan Chair of British Mountain Bike Orienteering if you would like to put on a MTBO event.
For further information visit the British Mountain Bike Orienteering website