UFO#2 - Rathmines
Date: 16 March, 2022
Start: 5:00 – 6:30 pm
Course closes: 7:10 pm. Please report to the registration desk by this time even if you have not completed your course.
Location and Parking: Styles Point, Rathmines Park. Drive into Rathmines Park from Overhill Rd, follow the road into the park which then turns to the left to Styles Point. Park near the boat ramp. Additional parking along the road into the park. Be aware of other park users and give way at the bike path to any pedestrians or riders. There are toilets near the start/finish area.
Map: Styles Point, 1:4000, 2m contours, remapped 2022 (Ian Dempsey and Sam Howe).
Courses:
Long: 4.3 km (line distance), 80m climb, 24 controls
Short: 2.4 km (line distance), 60m climb, 17 controls
Mini: 1.1 km (total distance); 20m climb; 14 controls
There will be areas with many controls in proximity so remember to check control numbers and descriptions. Some controls are visited more than once on the long course.
The mini course follows some bush tracks as well as open parkland, but is easy navigation. There is one leg with route choice along a low-lying track or a high path so the path will be a better option if the weather is wet. We'll advise at the start if the low track is too flooded to use. The mini course does not cross any roads.
The Short and Long courses will cross a road. There are 2 recommended crossing points shown on the map which both courses will use (there is no advantage to crossing elsewhere).
The northern section has some open park areas and some bush areas with a network of trails. There are some sections with ruins and fencing so take care. The concrete slabs are mostly flat but some have a few raised spikes (old bolts) around the edges so take care of your footing. There will be some off-track navigation in the less vegetated areas (light green). The middle and darker green (thicker vegetation) areas are better to not cross so stick to the tracks in those areas.
The southern section of the map has been recently remapped and features a tangle of mountain bike tracks, bike jumps and other ruins (so it's really interesting!). There are not usually any bike riders but take care just in case. This area has slightly more difficult navigation but all controls can be reached using tracks.
All courses are single sided with control descriptions on the front (english for mini and symbols for Short and Long courses).
If you'd like an extra copy, download Control Descriptions - English OR Symbols - print them and bring them along.
Insect repellent is recommended as well as leg coverings for the more vegetated areas on the short and long courses. A compass might also be useful.