New
Forest Family Adventure Challenge “Bolderwood”
September 11th 2010
Bolderwood is the perfect location for this
Challenge. Bolderwood sits near Lyndhurst in the heart of the New
Forest just south of the A31. It is a well known location because of
the numerous tracks / paths and the deer sanctuary.
It is ideal for this event because it offers
something for every competitor however big or small. The terrain is
fairly flat with some small hills and there will be checkpoints that
are easy and challenging. What makes it such a great spot is the
beauty of the New Forest. When I was marking out the course within 2
hours I saw 2 types of deer, newly born foals, a buzzard and an owl
!
The event details are below:
Objective:
Gain as many points as possible by visiting
checkpoints on bike and on foot or just on foot.
Teams:
Each team must consist of a minimum of 1 child and 1
adult. The maximum number for any team is 4.
Timing:
Teams can start any time between 1300 and 1400. Once
the team has started they will have 2 hours 30 minutes to gain as
many points as possible.
There will be a briefing at 1240. All team captains
must attend this briefing. (Captains can be adults or children)
Location:
Bolderwood is near Lyndhurst, just south of the A31
grid ref 242086 . It can be approached from either Lyndhurst or
Cadnham, but not direct from the A31.
All checkpoints are within the confines of the woods.
There should be no need to go outside the woods.
Start / Finish:
Will be on the grass area next to the car park, near
to the registration tent. There will be signs directing you to the
Registration area. Please park in main parking areas, then bring
your team and bikes to the registration area.
Transition / Bike Park:
There will be a large transition area near to the
registration tent for you to put your bikes in. This will be
obviously marked. The transition area will have someone observing it
through out the event, but bike security is the teams
responsibility. So if you want to, feel free to lock up your bikes
here.
Refreshments:
There will be a refreshment van onsite, this is not
part of our business, but is there for general public use.
Water will be available near the registration areas.
Event Outline:
You will have to register your start using your team
electronic card in the start/finish checkpoints. You have now
started, and your time has started.
At the start you will be given a map and a
description card of all the checkpoints including the ones that are
dummies i.e. do not exist.
You then need to decide whether you cycle or run /
walk first, decide on your route and head off to your first
checkpoint.
There will be cycle checkpoints and running
checkpoints. They are all numbered and coloured differently. You do
not have to visit the checkpoints in any particular order except you
cannot visit a running checkpoint while you are cycling and vice
versa.
Note: for those teams that are not cycling you will
be able to visit cycling checkpoints aswell as walking/running
checkpoints
You must get at least 50 points in each phase. So
once you have finished your cycling or running you need to return to
the start / finish checkpoints, check in the transition checkpoint
and start your next phase. If you do not return to the start /
finish checkpoint you will not have finished your first phase and
will not score on the next phase.
When arriving at a checkpoint, the whole team needs
to be together, or within 20m of each other. There will be roving
marshalls on the course. Any team found to be separated will have a
50 point spot penalty.
When you have completed all the checkpoints you want
to visit return to the start / finish checkpoint and your final time
will be taken when you put your card on this checkpoint control.
You have 2 hours 30 mins to get as many points as you
can.
For every minute over the 2 hours 30 mins you will
receive 5 penalty points. So make sure you are back in plenty of
time.
If you have been to all checkpoints and still have
time left, then your finish time will be taken into account in
deciding the winner. i.e. the fastest team who finds all checkpoints
without incurring any penalties will be the winner. However I doubt
whether anyone will visit all the checkpoints in the time allowed !!
Equipment:
The following is the minimum equipment you will need:
For those cycling:
Bikes (functionality of your bikes is your
responsibility, as a minimum make sure the brakes work well,
especially on children’s bikes)
Puncture repair kit / tyre levers and a pump
Cycle helmets compulsory
General equipment:
Suitable shoes for cycling / running or walking
Waterproofs (do not need to carry, can be left at
transition)
Whistle
Mobile phone
Optional but
suggested:
Compass
First aid kit
Snack food
Navigation:
The navigation is reasonably straightforward. You
will be given a map of the area. It shows all the main roads, tracks
and paths. All checkpoint controls are on paths or tracks within the
woods, many on track junctions or prominent objects. There are many
checkpoints close - ish to the start to enable people with smaller
children to achieve a good score. Once you head out to the more
distant checkpoints make sure you have enough time to get back !!
Cycling is only permitted on gravel tracks DONOT
cycle off the gravel tracks at anytime. You may not cycle on any
paths.
There are many unmarked paths in the woods, you can
use any of these, just be sure you know where they are heading.
You may run / walk anywhere in the wood.
You should not need a compass, but feel free to bring
one with you.
Scoring:
Each checkpoint has a points value. Your score will
be a total of the checkpoint points you accumulate during the event
minus any penalty points.
Penalty points will be incurred for going over the 2
hour 30 minute time, -5 points for every 1 minute over the time. Or
for teams being separated or arriving at checkpoints more than 20
metres apart, - 50 points.
Prizes:
There will be prizes for the first team and runners
up in the two classes and categories – 11 years old and under, 12
years old and over. (The age group will be determined by the age of
the eldest child in the team).
There will also be spot prizes – such as the team
dressed in the best “themed” dress (i.e. the Pirates dressed as
pirates !!, or whatever else your team theme is.)
Prize giving will take place at approx 1645 once all
teams are in and the scores calculated.
Safety:
The event is being run on roads, tracks and paths
within the New Forest. The ground is uneven, there are roots,
stones, holes and hills. It is important that each team cycle and
run / walk with care focusing on the terrain in front of them.
For the cycling wearing helmets is compulsory. You
will not be allowed to leave the transition area with your bike,
unless you all have a helmet on and done up.
When cycling, please cycle with care and attention
for other people in the event and for other users of the wood. There
are walkers / horse riders, other cyclists and parked cars all over
the area.
The only road you are permitted to ride or run on is
the Ornamental Drive which is well marked. We will be patrolling the
main roads to ensure no one is on them. There will be a 50 point
penalty for anyone found on the roads.
Parking:
Parking is at a premium. There is the main car park
at Bolderwood, there are also other car parks very close by where
you can park and cycle to the start. Please park sensibly.
Entrance Form:
Click the logo to register for this event...
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