November Classic

[Spookster]

Just got back from the wettest and windiest November Classic I've ever been to. Really enjoyed it though - the rain wasn't noticeable once running, the streams were very full but crossable, and the terrain, map and course (Brown) were all great.

When I picked up my map at the start it was already completely soaked and a bit muddy. I feared it might disintegrate or the print might wear away - in fact it was more legible when I finished, after I'd been through a few streams with it. Nice to see the loose control descriptions also printed on waterproof paper.

Well done SOC!

[Scott]

When I picked up my map at the start it was already completely soaked and a bit muddy. I feared it might disintegrate or the print might wear away - in fact it was more legible when I finished, after I'd been through a few streams with it.

For reference, can you tell us who the printer was?

[DavidJ]

Just got back from the wettest and windiest November Classic I've ever been to. Really enjoyed it though - the rain wasn't noticeable once running

Agreed - the weather did make me concerned but as the wind was warm and even the rain wasn't as heavy as it might have been (at least for me), it was enjoyable. Probably not so good for the various helpers. I hope most of them managed to get a run. Thanks to SOC for all their preparation and hard work on the day.

[Blanka]

For reference, can you tell us who the printer was?

My map says BML printers Ltd - if I am correct that's Nigel Benham?

Agree it was a great event and even the weather got better later on in the day - certainly one where later start times were a plus. Well done SOC.

It reminded me of what forest orienteering was like after so many city races this year!

[Catfish]

Not the most technically demanding area, but it was great to thrash around in all that mud and water. All we need now is a nip in the air and a bit of frost on the ground to set the scene for a good season of winter orienteering.

[ryeland of doom]

I had my map disintegrate in the 1976 November Classic. It was paper - in a normal plastic mapcase and the event used master maps. Other than an Eryri or predecessor club's badge event on Braich Bryn Engan in 1985, that November Classic was probably the wettest event I have ever attended.

[Gross]

What kind of paper was map printed on? (asking for a real reason )

[EddieH]

Boy do I remember that Braich Bryn-engan event. My control card (the bit we used to punch before electronic punching) was as usual wrapped in sticky transpaseal. When I arrived at no 1, no great distance, the whole card had washed away leaving a bit of clear plastic.

Sadly the organisers abandonned any attempt at checking punch marks so that one of my great victories went down as a second place to someone that abandonned the race early on after failing to protect his map. By coincidence this was not the only toime the same person appeared as beating me to a win when he had failed to finish - the other occasion being the most extreme heat I have ever run in in the UK, a MDOC long O.

Nowadays instant checked electronic results are so much better.

[seabird]

What kind of paper was map printed on? (asking for a real reason )

The paper Nigel used to use was very like Xerox Nevertear. Which it may have been. However Nigel may have changed now as there were some occasional problems with print rubbing off.

I have just bought some "Rite-in-the-rain" waterproof paper for use at our local events. It's much cheaper than any other waterproof paper I have come across. Does anyone have experience of it? I have only come across it at one of the smaller regional events, when it seemed fine, although one competitor noted it tore quite easily.

The paper certainly goes through the laser printer much better than Nevertear, which would often not seperate sheets in the feed.

[D,J,J&Ms Dad]

I have used Pretex almost exclusively as it is the closest to 'real' paper - various other reasons which I won't go into here as they are all documented elsewhere on Nopesport.
The reason for posting however is that I am testing a new product which seems to hold the image really well, does not tear, has a matt finish and doesn't have the annoying springiness of Xerox Never-Tear. I am still waiting for final costs (it will cost more than Pretex) so can't quote anything just yet but would be happy to print a sample for anyone who sends an OCAD file to alan@print5.co.uk.

[Catfish]

The midweek military events have been suffering from losing print from their maps at least four times in the last 6 events. This is quite worry because when I asked one of the senior military orienteers today why this was so, he said I was holding my map wrong!!! Yes that did make me wonder a bit.

I have to say I like the paper Nigel Benham uses when his company is tasked with printing event maps and it certainly proved its worth in the torrential rain at the November classic.

Back to the Military event today well over 400 competitors for the second week running. Next Wednesday should be a good event, its being held at that tricky and physical area of Windmill Hill with a new urban area add on. Can we make the 500 entry level????

However if your a civilian you need to inform the Military that your attending. See flyer on BAOC events website.

[Jon Brooke]

SOC have just added the event to RouteGadget

[EddieH]

Interesting. I thought I'd have a look but can find no reference to RouteGadget from anywhere on the SOC website. In my experience putting it up over a week after an event results in almost nobody putting their route on, and if they are unaware of it this will become increasingly so.

[Jon Brooke]

It's the only SOC event there - I think they've only just started using it.

[djc]

Yes - thankfully the powers that be in the club have finally seen the light... Now we just need you all to upload your routes to prove how popular it is!