So did you know that the events put on by your wonderful club are done so only with the help of you the club member? Without volunteers to set, vet, help with the setup and cleanup and man the relevant desks the events would grind to a halt (or worse you might not enjoy them) Ok I understand that i hear you say.. good 'cause we need your help to fill a few vital roles in upcoming events. It doesn't matter if you've never done that role before there are plenty who can give you a run down on what it entails. So check out our vacany list and email the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your choice of role and event. Do your bit and volunteer today! (this really needs one of those I want you posters doesn't it)

In other news don't forget to report to the finish and download after your run ESPECIALLY if you were unable to finish for whatever reason. We had a missing competitor at the last event who had forgotten and took us some time to track down (You know who you are) before we could finish the control collection and go home ourselves. Which leads me to the last bookkeeping element to this - please fill out your entry slip completely. We need to know the car you turned up in and a contact number for this very reason. This is for your safety.

So finally I come to singing the praises of those who made the journey down to the Victorian MTBO Championships but the president already wrote it so...

Six Newcastle club members recently travelled to Castlemaine to compete in the Victorian MTBO Championships, also the first round of the MTBO NOL for 2013. The championships consisted of a sprint race on Saturday morning on the edge of Castlemaine with school grounds, park, bush and streets, a middle distance on Saturday afternoon with some winding, confusing and vague single track and a long distance on the Sunday morning. Newcastle managed to come home with a few wins and a number of placings.

Carolyn Matthews competed in the W40 category winning all three events, including an excellent performance in the middle distance taking the fastest time on course 3.
Malcolm Roberts competed in the M50 category winning the middle distance event.
Graham Fowler competed in the M70 category winning the sprint event and placing third in both the middle and long events.
Full results for Newcastle competitors were:

NOY 3 - Southams Road -West

Note: Corrected wrong day for event its Sunday not Saturday ie Mothers Day and not at Astley's Tower as previously indicated

Venue: Travel to Kitchener and then follow Quorrobolong Road south about 1.8km. Assembly will be off Quorrobolong Road Kitchener (-32.894002,151.367118). Park beside Quorrobolong Rd. Please note the road speed of 100 kph. Park on the eastern side of the road to avoid crossing the road on foot. There is ample room beside the road to be well clear of traffic

Map: "Southams Road West" – 1:10,000
Terrain: Gentle Spur gully with some deep erosion gullies, the step areas of the map have been avioded and course climbs are 2-3%. Hopefully most competitors will find the flat going good for running.
Courses:
Hard Long 7.37 km 16 controls
Hard Med 5.19 km 13 controls
Hard Short 3.45 km 10 controls

Moderate long 3.75 km 11 controls
Moderate short 2.57 km 9 controls

Easy 2.17 km 14 controls
Very Easy 1.58 km 11 controls

A Hard Extra will be available for hard long competitors looking for further distance. this is a further 2.72 km and visits controls not seen on the long red.

Entries: Enter on the day, at time to suit you, 9:30 – 11:30. Courses close at 1:00pm.
Course Planner: Scott Simson

Minor Event - Freemans Waterhole

Results: Results | Splits | Routegadget | Photos |

Lost Property: A control description holder and a compass where left behind on the registration desk. Contact me through the website feedback link on the left and describe the item if its yours.

UPDATED - To reflect change in location

Grab a partner and get ready for a novel and hopefully fun orienteering challenge. There’s a club trophy to be won!

Concept: “Newcastle Pairs” is intended to be a competitive event that incorporates a spirit of camaraderie and fun. While it is a pair’s event, you might note that this is not a relay, although the “baton” may be passed on several occasions. Teams of two have the duty to make sure their “baton”, in this case an SI stick, travels to every control in the correct order. So long as it is travelling with at least one member of the team the way it gets there is up to that team. This allows teams to either run together to assist each other with any navigational challenges or alternately split up at different stages to minimise run distance and hence fatigue. Obviously you could do a combination of both or you could even have one member go straight to the last control and wait while the other sucker does the whole course. The choice is yours.
History: This event has had a sporadic history being contested at uneven and generally long intervals. The current holders of the trophy are Damian Welbourne and Alex Massey who won it in 2010, albeit that year contested as a normal relay. Prior to that Tim Tew and Glenn Burgess won the cup in 1994 completing a double for Glenn who was also victorious in 1993 when partnering Anthony Darr.

Rules:

• Teams will consist of any two people.
• Other groupings, including singles will be considered as unofficial.
• Teams shall be given 2 minutes planning time prior to starting.
• The race will commence via a mass start.
• Navigation will be of moderate standard or easier.
• The event will utilise SportIdent punching.
• Each team shall carry one SI stick between them.
• The SI stick must visit every control in the correct order.
• SI sticks of one team cannot be carried by another team.
• The course utilises pivot controls. You need to register at every visit.
• Team members can split up at any time or place they like, but must meet at the last control and then finish together.
• Elapsed time will be based on the second member’s finish time.
• Mobile phones can be carried and utilised for tactical purposes.

Handicap winners: It is hoped that as well as “first past the post”, we may be able to incorporate a handicap system although it is doubtful the handicap winners will be known on the day but your timely pre-entry will help facilitate this possibility. 

Venue: The event is between Freemans Waterhole and Cooranbong.
.........From Freemans Waterhole roundabout: Travel south towards Cooranbong on Freemans Drive. After 2.8 km turn right (west) into Becks Road (not signposted) and proceed a few hundred metres to parking.
.........From Cooranbong: Travel north from Cooranbong via Freemans Drive. From the 90km/h signs it 7.8 km until you turn left (west) into Becks Road (unsigned). Proceed a few hundred metres to parking.

Map: "Jig a Jog" – 1:7500

Terrain: Unduating to perhaps moderately steep spur gully with a reasonable track network. There are some areas of thicker vegetation but they should be easily avoided.

Courses:
Pairs - 5.5 km
Moderate - 3.0 km (but you should be entering the Pairs!)
Easy - 1.5 km
Very Easy - 1.5 km
The Pairs course will utilise pivot controls, have a total length of 5.5 km and be of up to Moderate standard. It has been designed to allow maximum participitation as the length can be divided between the two partners and the navigation isn't overly tough. This should be a lot of fun!

Entries: Pairs via pre-entry to Geoff Peel by the 1st May. All other courses are enter on the day.
Start Times: There will be a briefing for the Pairs competitors at 9:45 am followed by a mass start at 10:00 am.
Easy and Very Easy:- 9:30 to 11:30
Moderate: After the Pairs mass start to 11:30
Entry Fee: Normal, pay on day, “bush” fee structure will be applied.
Planner: Geoff Peel 49680977, 0422471353, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Gear Organisation: John Linich

View 5th May, Minor Event in a larger map

A timely reminder to keep on checking the website the day before an event just to ensure you have the most uptodate information. We have had multiple changes to event locations this year with more on the way. The minor this week has shifted to Freemans Waterhole, NOY 3 from Astley's Tower across the road to Southams Road and NOY 4 has moved from Congewai to Pelton. So keep your eye on the website.

In a last minute call for teams for the pairs event we have 6 team slot still available so if you want one let Geoff know or just turn up on the day with your fingers crossed. There are also plans for a BBQ so stick around afterwards for a sausage sanger!

Also results are in for State League 3, a very challenging day, and following is the list of our top 5 finishers:

WOpenB - 2nd Kate Alborough

W18A - 1st Amylee Robertson

W20A - 1st Nicola Blatchford

W35AS - 2nd Caroline Taurany

W45A - 1st Karen Blatchford

W50A - 2nd Gayle Quantock

M35AS - 1st Shane Jenkins, 2nd David Kitchener

M45AS - 4th Peter Orr

M50A - 5th Russell Blatchford

M60A - 5th Russell Rigby

M65A - 5th Jim Lee

Remember entries are now open for both State League 4/5 at Lithgow and the Queens Brithday Long Weekend (State League 6/7/8). See eventor for more details.

Brush Creek West - NOY2A

Results

Setters Report

A couple of years ago I decided it was too much work for an event setter to be responsible for both placing control stands in the bush and looking after the setup of the assembly area, that the setter should primarily be looking after the controls and someone else be looking after the desks and pens. So late in 2011 I bought an old ambulance with the intention of setting it up as a mobile equipment storage to hold all the gear necessary to run an event. In 2012 I drove the ambulance to every bush event as a trial to see if that was the way the club wanted to go. Early this year the club committee decided yes it was a viable option and officially split the role of event setter in two: course planner and gear organiser.
The reason I tell this tale is NOY2A was my first go at planning an NOY and gave me the opportunity to see for myself what impact halving the event organiser role has on running an event. Another initiative the club has taken is trying to assign a vetter for all events, particularly the NOY series. Having a second, ideally more experienced, person offering suggestions on course design and checking taped control sites should result in a problem free event. I was most fortunate Geoff Todkill agreed to act as vetter as he not only checked the locations of control sites but help place half the control stands as well.
Some people thought of me on Saturday, wondering how I was going putting out control stands in the pouring rain. No need to worry, all bar 1 control were placed on Friday before the rain. GT and I had a little working bee on Friday morning to affix some SI units to stands and decided the weather was going to be so bad on Saturday that all the stands should all go out Friday afternoon, and they mostly did. Then all day Saturday I was thinking should I go out to hang all the streamer trails or wait until Sunday morning for that and just get wet once. I was in the bush at 6:20am Sunday and it took a full 3 hours to stand up 15 control stands and create all the streamer trails. Starts for Very Easy and Easy courses were delayed 10 minutes while I dug a step down to the rockshelf creek crossing and erected a handrail.
It is a big relief when the last competitor arrives back at the finish desk, mainly because no-one is lost so no need to organise a search party but also because I had already let people out into the bush to collect controls before course closure time. This was a gamble I took as I needed to harness the offers for control collection before everyone went home. Having people collect controls in the same clockwise direction as course flow would hopefully also round up anyone that was still struggling on their course. So a big thank you Rudi Landsiedel, Justin Stafford and Denis Lyons for their control collection effort. Thanks also to Lynda Hewson for walking a loop to bring in some easy controls, I think she has taken the coach's advice to gain some more navigating experience by offering to collect some controls. It is marvelous how much you notice when you slow down and observe the terrain properly with sufficient oxygen in the brain. I encourage others to collect controls, even do it leaving your compass in your pocket as a means of practicing map reading skills.
OK that is enough from me, the sun is out and I still have two controls to collect way out back of the map so best I go do that then bundle everything up for the next Course Planner and Gear Organiser. Oh yeah, a big thank you to Carolyn and Russell Rigby for taking on the challenge of driving the ambulance and setting up the assembly area, otherwise where would regular front desk helpers Cheryle, Joy and Maria sit in order to hand out SI sticks and hassle people to sign membership and waiver forms :-)

Updated 18/4/2013 - Minor changes made

Venue:Start is at the Eastern end of Transfield Avenue, Edgeworth. The Assembly area/Finish are 100m down a track. Approaching from the north, proceed down Minmi road towards Edgeworth and turn left into Transfield Avenue. Approaching from crossroads Glendale, travel west along Main Road and turn right into Neilson Street at the traffic lights after McDonalds. Plenty of parking along Transfield Avenue, please don't block driveways

Map: "Brush Creek West" – 1:10,000 (an updated version of the western side of Brush Creek map with some new detail in the south west corner courtesy of Denis Lyons mapping effort this week. The event utilises a new start location in the middle of the map)
Terrain: Typical spur and gully areas, some heavy vegetation in the creeks, forest areas mostly open running. Numerous trail bike tracks in all areas, new tracks have been mapped but do not be surprised if you find new ones!
Courses: 

Very Easy 2.0 km
Easy 2.6 km
Easy Long 3.5 km
Moderate Short 2.4 km
Moderate Long 3.4 km
Hard Short 3.3 km
Hard Medium 4.2 km
Hard Long 5.5 km

Note Very Easy - the course follows a fence, streamer trail, manmade gully and tracks and has a mandatory creek crossing at a rock shelf. Competitors are expected to be able to orient the map in order to make some decisions about looking left or right for next control. The course is more interesting, hence requires a bit more skill and confidence, than the standard blast along tracks punching every control you see. Please evaluate ability of juniors and decide whether to shadow them.

Note Easy course - controls are typically in a gully off the side of the track after some prominent feature like a track junction. Competitors are expected to be able to monitor their progress along a track and ignore some incorrect code controls along the way. Competitors should have enough confidence to go cross country 50 - 100m and where needed a streamered section will assist.

Note Hard courses -there are so many motorbike tracks it is difficult to set hard legs. When stringing together tracks runs, just make sure you are on the correct track, otherwise you quickly end up somewhere you weren't planning to be!

Entries: Enter on the day, from 9.30am to 11.30am. Course closes at 1.00pm 
Planner: Peter Newton

View NOY2A in a larger map

NOY 2 - Hawkemount

Results (<- click here)

IMPORTANT - Due to a slower than anticipated approval to use land in the West Wallsend area some changes to Newcastle’s event calendar are required (and will be updated over the next week so watch this space). The minor event scheduled for this Sunday 7th April is now the NOY 2 event.

Venue: Head west from Toronto on Awaba Road, after crossing the railway turn left into Gosford Street which becomes Heaton Street. Or head east from the F3 Ryhope interchange on Cessnock Road, after approximately 3km turn right into Mulbring Street. 

Park in Heaton Street or Mulbring Street adjacent to Awaba Public School. Assembly and start will be located at the start of the Hawkemount Fire Trail opposite Awaba Public School.

Map: "Hawkemount" – 1:7,500
Terrain: Typical spur and gully areas, with some heavy vegetation in the creeks. A scale of 1:7500 will be used to make clear the detail that the area has to offer. The map has considerable areas of green. The boundaries of the green have been mapped to make these areas accurate for navigation. The moderate and hard courses will enter areas of mine subsidence. Substantial subsidence is indicated on the map by magenta dots and in the field by bright streamers.
Courses: A full range of NOY courses will be available. A long easy course will also be available. Courses will in general be shorter in distance but will involve some climb.
Entries: Enter on the day, from 9.30am to 11.30am. Course closes at 1.00pm
Planner: Denis Lyons

View NOY 2 - Hawkemount in a larger map

NOY 1 Brush Creek

Results (<- click here)

Notice: A base plate compass was handed in during the event. Did you lose one? If so This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we can see if its yours.

Venue: Glendale Technology High School. From Main Road, Glendale, turn North at Frederick Street traffic lights. After 50m turn right into Clare Street and travel 300m to the School entrance, a large concrete bus bay. Enter the School through a gate at the rear of the bus bay and follow the dirt track for 150m to parking. The administration is adjacent to the School ovals at the rear of the buildings. Toilets and water only.

Map: “Brush Creek” – 1:10,000
Terrain: Typical spur and gully areas, some heavy vegetation in the creeks, forest areas mostly open running. Numerous trail bike tracks in all areas, new tracks have been mapped but do not be surprised if you find new ones!
Courses: While the usual Club bush courses will be offered, in order to support those fit people who completed the recent Street Series Orienteering but who do not have the navigation skills to run through the bush routes, a long EASY course using the track network will be on offer as well.

HARD (Long) - 5.7km, 190m climbing, 11 controls.
HARD (Medium) - 4.5km, 110m climbing, 9 controls.
HARD (Short) - 3.0km, 80m climbing, 9 controls.
MODERATE - 4.5km, 90m climbing, 9 controls.
MODERATE (Short) - 2.6km, 65m climbing, 8 controls.
EASY (Long) - 4.0km, 120m climbing, 11 controls.
EASY - 2.0km, 65m climbing, 11 controls.
VERY EASY - 1.9km, 70m climbing, 14 controls.

Entries: Enter on the day, at time to suit you, 9:30 – 11:30. Courses close at 1:00pm.

Fees: 
Members - $5 juniors and $7 adults
Members only family (2 adults + children) maximum - $20
Non-members - $7 juniors and $10 adults
First timers (or if purchasing a second map) $5
SI hire - $2

Course Planner: Rob Vincent

View NOY 1 in a larger map

So first thing is a good luck message to those club members travelling down to state league 3 tommorrrow. Also entries for state league 4/5 (again in lithgow) and 6/7/8 (better know as QB3) are now open as well - see your eventor calendar for more details. I'll post our results as they are made available.

Secondly there have been a few calendar changes recently the minor event on 5th May has moved to Freemans Waterhole and the NOY 4 has now moved to Pelton instead of Congewai due to the land changing hands recently. An updated bush flyer is now available here and will be on the side menu shortly.

The weekly blurb has been a little less than weekly of late, mostly due to a pretty full calendar (just wait til we get to mad may!). So here we are 2 NOY done already, a state league weekend and Easter all slipping into the past... but what of the future? Well this weekend if you are keen on mountain biking sees the start of the Super Series down at Wingello (entries open until Wed 10th on Eventor) and then if you are really keen you can follow that up on the sunday with the final Duo for the this series down at Stromlo Forest Park in Canberra (Entries also open til Wed 10th here). On the 28th there will also be the 3rd State League event down at Hilltop on the 'Wattle Ridge' map, as this is a one day event you might want to see if you can carpool with other like minded club members. Details on our last event this month are still being finalised so 'watch this space'.

Now back to NOY and a quick word about the results. You may have noticed a certain lack of an onging point score so far? Well thats because the ease of reporting the results with SI means that the raw results can go up sooner rather than later. So rest assured the full NOY points score will be available shortly (UPDATE - NOW AVAILABLE Sunday 14th April 2013).

Finally, though he himself will probably not read this, a big thank you to Denis Lyons, who made his minor event into a fully fledged NOY event without much notice when we were forced to change locations for the original one.

For those that missed it you can listen to interview on this website. A copy will be made available on this website in the future (just to save on our bandwidth).

Tune in today to ABC local radio at about 10 am to hear Newcastle O Club Members, Jenny and Mikayla Enderby talk about their recent adventures and successes at the Easter 3 day Orienteering carnival held recently in Bendigo, Victoria. If there is any recording of this interview I shall post the link.