Oregon Ridge Park (MD), Hemlock Overlook Regional Park (VA) and Fountainhead Regional Park (VA) are now embargoed in accordance with OUSA Competition rules.
To be specific, this means the following:
No organised orienteering of any kind may take place in the embargoed areas until after the A-meet. No training sessions, i.e. running/races, testing route choices etc. are allowed in these areas. No orienteer intending to compete in the November A-meet or person connected to them (such as a coach) may visit the embargoed terrain.
However, it is permitted to ride or run on the mountain bike trails within Fountainhead Regional Park as long as one stays on marked mountain bike trails and does not carry an orienteering or adventure race map. Keep in mind that mountain bikers always have the right of way on designated mountain bike trails and that since these are not mixed use trails foot traffic is both unexpected and discouraged. The safest thing to do if you must follow the trails on foot is to follow them at arm's length. i.e walk beside the trail. This exception to the general embargo is in place due to popularity of this trail network with local mountain bikers and adventure racers who may wish to compete in this event. We are confident these riders are not gaining any meaningful advantage from their trail rides not obtainable through study of the Fountainhead preview maps and running the model event, as well as the very similar terrain for the middle distance event at Hemlock Overlook.
Note: a map of the mountain bike trail network can be found here. The map is not quite up to date - the trail network has been extended somewhat to the south of the southeasternmost trails depicted. However, that furthest part of the trail network is still a single continuous loop and doesn't intersect any mixed use trails in the newly built section. Provided one doesn't leave the cycling trail, there should be no danger of getting lost.
If you have any questions about this, please feel free to contact QOC President Jody Landers.
