Micheldever Forest

Summary Information for the day
- Start times will not be enforced, just used to keep an even flow.
- EMIT is being used. Loose control descriptions in the start lanes.
- Be courteous to other users of the forest, most of the public will be in the southern
end of the forest.
- Be prepared for rain on the day as there are showers forecast.
- Bring your own water.
- Catering will be available on the day so please support Tom and Julie.
- COVID is still around so please respect people's wishes for social distancing.
- Results will be available live on the day at race-results.info (subject to available signal).
- Most of all enjoy your run

Directions
Around 1mile east off the A33 (Basingstoke-WInchester Road) at OS SU529362, w3w seasons.calls.backpacks. The event will be signposted from the A33 Northington and Candovers turning (Postcode SO21 3FW). Please take care turning off the A33 because the turning is situated on a fast dual carriageway section.

From the South exit at Jnct 9 of the M3 take the A34 (second exit on roundabout), then after a short distance take the right fork, signed Basingstoke A33. Proceed 3.2 miles to the turn off to the right.

From the East and North exit at Jnct 7 of the M3 signed Basingstoke A30. Third exit from roundabout signed Basingstoke, Newbury, Kings Worthy A30. After a short distance turn left at the first lights signed Kings Worthy, Micheldever, E Stratton A30 (A33). Follow road for 8.4 miles to the turn off on the left.

From West from the A303 take the Non Motorway Traffic A30 exit (just as M3 starts). I mile on at T Junction turn right signed Winchester A33. Follow road for 6.5 miles to the turn off on the left.

Parking
Linear parking along hardstanding forest track, either side of assembly.

Map/Areas
1:10,000 A4 ISOM2017-2 Map, 5m contours, completely revised with LIDAR for this event.

Gentle incline North to South, good path network with runnable terrain and some areas of bramble and fight, typical of Forestry England land management. Some ancient deciduous forest, with scattered conifer plantations. Area contains some old fenced enclosures, protected Bronze Age earthworks and WWII bomb craters.

The area is used by dog walkers and horse riders. Please be aware and courteous.

Picture of the Forest with a deer running in the background:

Courses
There is little climb on all of the courses.

Beginners are welcome to try the courses, please ask for assistance when you arrive. The courses rank from easy to hard, just bring a compass (one can be lent if you do not have one) and give it a go. No problem if you want to go round with other people.

Start/Finish
Start is a flat 800m from assembly and the Finish 200m from assembly.

EMIT eCards will be used on all courses. Everyone must report promptly to Download.

There will not be a drinks station. Please provide your own water.

Registration
10:00 to 12:00 for Hired eCard collection and Enquiries. No EOD.

Starts
10:30 to 12:30.

Control descriptions will be available in the start lanes.

Courses close
Promptly at 14:30 please. You must report to download before you leave the event.

Facilities
Toilets. Tom's Food Wagon.

Please support Tom & Julie's Food Wagon

Conduct
Please make yourself aware of and abide by the British Orienteering Participant Code of Conduct.

Dogs
Dogs are allowed, but under strict control and on a lead at all times.

Planners Notes
Micheldever can be split into two parts. The northern part is runnable forest with a number of large depressions and shallow gullies. The southern part has more dense vegetation and undergrowth, but courses have been planned to avoid the worst of this. The whole area has an extensive path network.

The Green, Blue and Brown courses cross an out of bounds area into and out of Dodsley Wood. All runners must use the marked crossing route (approx 100m in length). There will be controls at both ends of this route, both on the way in and out, which must be punched.

There are a number of small fenced enclosures in the area. These are not marked as out of bounds, but the fences are all uncrossable and there is no need to enter any of them.

Large green circle symbol has been used to represent distinctive trees and a small green circle used to show distinctive lone holly trees.

Risk
Orienteering is an adventure sport; you are responsible for your own safety at the event and must not do anything that puts yourself or others at unnecessary risk. Please remember that COVID has not gone away, please respect those that want to be socially distanced.

Officials
Organiser: Charles Gook (BADO)
Planner: Craig Blackford (BADO)
Controller: Eric Harper (BKO)