Re: shortest points between controls on AUK rides

David Martin wrote:
> Jim Ley wrote:
>
>> I was assuming Martin's main issue with multiple controls was the
>> time spent at the control more than the manpower needed, risking the
>> hardware would be a seperate decision, although I've done and seen
>> orienteering events run in cities with unattended equipment.
>
> The issue is the breakup of the ride. There is a natural time frame of
> about 90-150mins between controls. Having to stop more frequently
> starts to detract from the rhythm of the ride (as does excessively
> twisty routes with intense navigation.)
>
>
>> Info controls are "what colour was the picture outside the church?"
>> type thing?
>
> Yup, or what is the name of the church at junction X?
>
> Basically an easy to find bit of information that you have to be at
> the site to find.

And definitely not a semi-cryptic puzzle for the last control before a
finish. Otherwise you get a bunch of tired and dazed riders wondering what
on earth the clue is about, whereas they'd get the answer in seconds if they
were awake.

(Recalls clue of "house for animals" about 10k before end of one ride some
years ago. A bunch of cyclists, including me, spent a while looking in
village for dogs home, pet rescue sanctuary, ancient cow barn, fido's
kennel, a dove cot, etc. etc.. before deciding to ride on and have a
discussion with the organiser about the control. Penny dropped some km's
after the village that the pub was called "The Rising Sun".)


"First name on village war memorial" is a simple info control :-).


- Nigel


--
Nigel Cliffe,
Webmaster at http://www.2mm.org.uk/


.

Relevant Pages

  • 2005 From The Dark Side (long)
    ... contemplated anything more strenuous than the odd overnight trip to ... Finding the motivation to vacate a nice warm tea-equipped control to ... and I think I completed this ride faster than any 200 of the ... rear tyre, banged it up as hard as it would go and prayed. ...
    (uk.rec.cycling)
  • Springtime 200 RR
    ... I didn't ride with Ben at the ... In spite of this we arrived at the 50k control with the best ... jersey - by which I mean, when I was struggling on the hills, Ben ... riders will still out there. ...
    (uk.rec.cycling)
  • Cabrach Circuit - long ride report
    ... I had been planning all year that I would ride a 200 at some point. ... First control - I bought new batteries for the head torch. ... climb over to Dufftown had taken a lot out of me, ... And then it went downhill. ...
    (uk.rec.cycling)
  • Ruislip 50km
    ... This Audax was the 50km ride in Liz Creese's Autumn Assortment; ... Greenford and taking the Tube to Ruislip Gardens (I'll bet not many ... first control (who I gather would have zoomed ahead if anyone else had ...
    (uk.rec.cycling)
  • RR; PBP
    ... AUK itself came about partly as a means of allowing UK riders to ... The ride itself dates back to 1891 when it was ... drugs even then to enable them to overcome the pain and sleeplessness. ... After a lumpy and very wet section we reached the first control ...
    (uk.rec.cycling)