Blackwood 3rd December 2023 – Basingstoke Andover District Orienteers (BADO)

Directions

West off the A33 (Basingstoke-Winchester Road) at OS SU535418, w3w conjured.sleeping.revived, Postcode SO21 3BG, site of Forest Holidays cabins. The event will also be signposted from the A33 Parkhill, Micheldever Station turning onto Larkwhistle Farm Road. 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 6.4 miles to the turn off to the left.

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 5.0 miles to the turn off on the right.

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 5.0 miles to the turn off on the right.

Parking

Linear parking along hardstanding forest tracks. Please follow marshal's direction.

Map/Areas

1:10,000 A4 ISOM2017-2 Map, 5m contours, updated 2023 for the event.

Gentle incline North to South, good path network with runnable terrain typical of Forestry England land management. The area has a number of large depressions from WWII bomb craters.

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

Courses

Details of the courses are on Racesignup.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 300m from assembly and the Finish 100m 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. No catering (Forest Holidays cafe is open to the public)

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

Blackwood is looking very good at this time of year. The undergrowth in the northern part of the wood is low to non existent and will allow for fast running. In the southern part of the wood the undergrowth is thicker and courses have been planned to avoid the worst areas.

There is a large out of bounds area in the middle of the map covering the Forest Holiday Cabin area. Courses have been planned to avoid this. If you get lost and have to relocate avoid the cabin area, and use the paths round the outside of the wood.

Note - Distinctive trees marked on the map are all evergreen/pine trees, including some ancient Yews.

Forestry England Permit Restrictions

Making competitors aware that use of Blackwood has the following restrictions imposed by Forestry England to allow future use:

- Forest Holiday cabin area is to be avoided at all times.

- Car sharing to be encouraged due to limited parking availability.

- Please do not verge park or go off road - park where instructed.

- All litter must be removed from the site.

- No smoking or lighting of fires or stoves is permitted.

These are not all the rules but are those that competitors must be aware of.

You must respect all areas marked OOB.

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.