What is Velogaine?

Guest author Des Brown has kindly agreed to tell us about an unusual cycling sport called Velogaine:

“Velogaine? What is that?” I hear you say.

This is the same question Damien and I asked Rhonda when she invited us to join herself and Brian to be part of a Velogaine annual event run by the SA Rogaining Association. We would form a team in the “Ultra Vets” (aged 65 and over) section of the annual event to be held at Moculta, about twelve kilometres north-east of Angaston.

Velogaine is probably best described as orienteering on your bike. There are 2 main sections, a 2-hour and a 4-hour. We were more than happy to be part of the 2-hour contest.

One hour before the start, each team was given a map of approximately 230 square kilometres centred around Moculta at a scale of 1:50,000. The map included 25 circled checkpoints, each with a score that ranged from 20 to 90 points, depending on how hard it might be to reach. A total of 1370 points could be scored.

Teams needed to establish a bike route that would return the maximum number of points and enable them to return to the start within the fixed time of 2 or 4 hours. A penalty of ten points would apply for every minute we were late.

At our team meeting we eventually decided on a route that was approximately 25 kilometres long, with a contingency to reduce the route to 20 kilometres if we ran out of time.

After a short briefing by the organizer, we set off at 11:30 on the 2-hour section with approximately 25 others, including families of all ages, young teenage teams and some very fit looking riders.

Prior to our departure, another group of over 60 people took off on the 4-hour section.

Each checkpoint consisted of an orange and white plate to which a punch was attached. Teams were given a card to be validated at each control by a punch attached to the control plates. Brian proved the best spotter of the checkpoints.

We found ourselves riding mainly on dirt tracks and part of the Kidman Trail. Even though it was only 20 kilometres, it was full on.  The route we chose tested our endurance as we negotiated sandy and rocky tracks, fences, gates, fallen branches, hills and a strong wind.

Disaster nearly struck on our final leg when our score card could not be located. Fortunately Rhonda found it again on the track just a few hundred metres behind.

By implementing our contingency plan and reducing our ride to 20 kilometres, we managed to return to the start with several minutes to spare.

The local school provided a delicious lunch that all riders appreciated and enjoyed.

Our total score was 370 points, enough for our team to win our section and also the Vets (age 40 and over) and the Super Vets (age 55 and over). We must confess that in the 2-hour section we were the only Ultra Vet team, and in the other sections competition was “scarce”.

It was a most enjoyable day and we hope we will be able to part of it again in 2018. Damien and I were both very grateful to Rhonda and Brian for including us in their team.

Another article about older cyclists is Murray’s story.