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About Midlands MBO
The Midlands is home to some great riding, not only does it encompass The Cotswolds, Chilterns, Malverns and Cannock Chase but it borders the North Downs, Welsh Marches and the Peak District. The map to the right hand side shows you the area we aim to cover. Midlands MBO was launched as the latest chapter of the long running Midlands mountain bike orienteering scene which was developed under the TCA (Trail Cyclists Association) and more recently MTQ (Midlands TrailQuests). We are affiliated to BMBO in order to unify the sport and bring national level mountain bike orienteering events to the Midlands. Midlands MBO is a not-for-profit organisation - individual organisers may run events for profit, though most use the events to raise money for charities of their choice. If you are interested in organising an event please contact us – we have lots of experience and resources to help, and welcome anyone wishing to get involved. |
What is Mountain Bike Orienteering or Trailquesting?
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This growing sport not only requires the rider to have off road bike handling skills but also map reading ability as you will need to negotiate the best route possible between the checkpoints. Our events are fun and as competitive or as challenging as you like because you choose the route! Upon starting you will be given an extract of an Ordnance Survey map with the checkpoints marked (and the number of points each one is worth), plus a sheet describing the exact checkpoint locations. You choose which checkpoints to visit, and in which order, within the time limit. This is normally three hours – but the time soon flies by so you need to keep an eye on the clock because penalty points are incurred if you are late back. Unlike our cross country racing cousins, who are on a set course and race around at top speeds to see who is the fastest, in our discipline it is not always the fastest rider/team that wins as the score takes into account a combination of speed, navigation & route finding.
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Once back, your score is calculated and you can have some well-earned refreshments and a chance to chat with the other riders in a friendly atmosphere; the event headquarters are normally local village halls. Most events take place on Sundays and have a 3 hour time limit. Typically you can start any time between 9.00 am and 10.30 am and you must try to finish within the set time limit.
You can compete as a solo rider or as a team of 2 and you will be competing against riders in the same age category. You can challenge yourself, friends, family or work colleagues.
Most of our events use all legal rights of way allowed on a bicycle - roads, bridleways, byways, RUPPs (Roads Used as a Public Path) BOATs (Byways Open to All Traffic) and many restricted byways & permissive bridleways; route planning and navigating are as important as fitness and bike-handling skills. We aim to make finding the checkpoints easy – we want riders to be able to keep moving and enjoy the ride.
There are two types of Mountain Bike Orienteering events. The most common is known as MBO Score. The second format is MTBO which is the international event format. Both can provide a great deal of excitement and bike riding enjoyment for participants.
Most of our events are MBO Score events which require riders, either solo or pairs, to visit as many of the available control points on the map within the allowed time. Each rider accumulates a total score dependant on how many and which particular controls they visit. There is no set order for visiting the controls & riders have to decide the most efficient route on which to use their time and energy. The rider with the highest points total is the winner. As route choice, level of difficulty and duration of riding are all decisions for the rider these events really can give anyone a buzz whatever their ability level.
‘MTBO’ events have a fixed number and order of checkpoints and the winner is the fastest rider to complete the route. BMBO have details of regional, national and international MTBO events. The term ‘Trailquest’ has also been used for MBO-Score, but the use of the term is declining and you will more commonly see the term MBO.
You can compete as a solo rider or as a team of 2 and you will be competing against riders in the same age category. You can challenge yourself, friends, family or work colleagues.
Most of our events use all legal rights of way allowed on a bicycle - roads, bridleways, byways, RUPPs (Roads Used as a Public Path) BOATs (Byways Open to All Traffic) and many restricted byways & permissive bridleways; route planning and navigating are as important as fitness and bike-handling skills. We aim to make finding the checkpoints easy – we want riders to be able to keep moving and enjoy the ride.
There are two types of Mountain Bike Orienteering events. The most common is known as MBO Score. The second format is MTBO which is the international event format. Both can provide a great deal of excitement and bike riding enjoyment for participants.
Most of our events are MBO Score events which require riders, either solo or pairs, to visit as many of the available control points on the map within the allowed time. Each rider accumulates a total score dependant on how many and which particular controls they visit. There is no set order for visiting the controls & riders have to decide the most efficient route on which to use their time and energy. The rider with the highest points total is the winner. As route choice, level of difficulty and duration of riding are all decisions for the rider these events really can give anyone a buzz whatever their ability level.
‘MTBO’ events have a fixed number and order of checkpoints and the winner is the fastest rider to complete the route. BMBO have details of regional, national and international MTBO events. The term ‘Trailquest’ has also been used for MBO-Score, but the use of the term is declining and you will more commonly see the term MBO.
I am really interested. What is my next step?
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If you only remember one thing, remember this.
The most important rules for a sustainable sport are not to do with the competition, but how you interact with other country side users. We have developed a sustainable sport based on a respect for landowners and other country side users. We use public rights of way and frequently use private land by permission. Follow the Off Road Cycling Code meticulously, particularly:- a. passing walkers and horse riders slowly and courteously. b. closing all gates (even if half open), by not climbing walls / hedges. c. You MUST NOT enter any Out of Bounds areas or tracks during an event, penalty disqualification. d. The use of footpaths, private tracks or out of bounds areas will result in disqualification from the event. e. Ride with the aim to leave no trace, by avoiding skidding. 
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MBO - Your first Event Guide
Once you have found an event that you'd like to try on the event calendar, the easiest way to enter is to complete the entry on line before the event. This ensures that the organiser has your details when you arrive and can plan to have enough maps for all riders. Before you go to the online entry option, you will need to either join BMBO as a member for the year or register as a Day Rider. Both of these options are easily done on line. Click on the BMBO Icon below and then go to the Membership tab to complete this step which then enables you to enter the event on line. Once you are on the BMBO site, go to the event on the calendar section and select "Enter". All you have to do then is select Member/Member Under 21 or Day Rider and you are ready to plan your event day! The details of the event on the calendar link will give you details of the event centre location and the times at which you can sign on and also start your ride. 
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