Mountain Bike (MTB) Orienteering is a discipline similar to Foot Orienteering, but where the movement is done by MTB and mostly along paths.
Maps
Specific maps are used for MTB Orienteering, designed according to an international specification defined by IOF:
- ISMTBOM: International Specification for Mountain Bike Orienteering Maps. Current version: 2022 (January 2022)
The scales used for MTB orienteering maps are 1:7500, 1:10000 or 1:15000, depending on the format of the event and the level of athletes. For sprint maps the scales used are 1:5000 and 1:7500.
Course setting
The course setting for MTB Orienteering competitions must follow a set of principles adapted to the characteristics of the discipline, defined by the IOF MTB Orienteering Commission.
These principles include the location of control points, the rules for a good leg, choice of start and finish locations, the profile and distances for each type of race, the adaptation of the course to the athlete’s level, etc.
The MTBO Competitors Code
- Slow right down when passing members of the public on foot or on horseback.
- Avoid damaging the path through aggressive riding such as skidding.
- When two riders converge:
- riders should normally pass with their left shoulders
- any rider travelling uphill must be given priority
- at an intersection, the rider on the smaller path should give way to any rider on the larger path.
- Generally, riders should overtake on the left. If necessary, overtaking riders should call out to say whether they want to overtake on the left or the right.
- Slower riders should give way to overtaking riders.
- When riding on public roads the traffic rules of the country must be observed