Insights of an MTBO Amateur

Insights of an MTBO Amateur

12 October 2010
Now that I have biked in about 20 mountain bike orienteering (MTBO) events, 17 of which were Israeli MTBO league meets, I've reached some conclusions about my relationship with this esoteric sport. Insight Number 1. For me there are two kinds of events: the ones that make me say, "That was beyond my ability. I'm not going to do another MTBO event again"; and the ones that make me say, "That was a great challenge. I'll be back for more." It would be wonderful if every event could evoke the latter response, but that's not the case. I've taken stock, and have counted 5 of those 17 events made me want to quit. In those instances, a combination of two or more factors were to blame: (A) The trails and terrain were beyond my riding abilities, meaning I had…

MTBO – A Marketing Idea

24 June 2010
Listening to the discussion at the ISOA general assembly this week, I heard a lot of good marketing ideas. Driving home, I began to formulate an idea, inspired by a non-riding friend who said, "why don't you go where the bikers are?" Yes, indeed, we need to bring MTB orienteering to the bikers. Like the hostesses at supermarkets who offer shoppers a sample of new foods, we need to give bikers a flavorful taste of MTBO.

MTBO at Gevaram

21 June 2010
Prior to the mountain bike orienteering event at Gevaram, I had begun announcing my intention to quit doing MTBO. Having tried it for 2 years, I still don't have the expertise or confidence to go out without a riding partner (Yuval). I'm happy to do MTBO in the fields of Yizrael, but not in the hills of Alon Hagalil. I do not have the skills or fitness of a serious trail rider. I prefer "KKL" trails to "singles", flat routes rather than climbs and steep descents, soft paths rather than rocky roads. Riding conditions at Gevaram were exactly the kind I prefer. I actually got to ride my bike -- rather than push it -- for practically the entire course. Makes me have second thoughts about continuing in the sport

MTBO at Eshtaol Forest

18 April 2010
My husband Yuval and I have been riding MTBO events together for the past two years. Often we ride the course with a couple friends (who may or may not have a map). I wear a Garmin Forerunner 305 and keep a log of my sporting activities. The MTBO event at Eshtaol Forest this past weekend proved quite a challenge for even the serious and seasoned riders. So I've decided to share my impressions of the event.