Bike / Archery Biathlon anyone?

AndyGates

You know regular biathlon? Skis and rifles, we don't have much of either in the UK! Pesky maritime climate and sensible gun laws...

But how about bike / archery biathlon? You'd only need a bit of woodland for a nice path route, and a field to set up targets. I wanna play, and since nobody else does it, I'm gonna have to organise something..!

Fancy a go? there's a Facebook group n'everything.

lateralus

sounds like a great idea!

would need to learn the archery part though....

knedlicky

In the 90s I did several bike/rifle biathlons, well the same event several years on the trot.

Because there were only so many rifles to go around, and only 4 shooting lanes, we (about 60 participants) were sent off at intervals, like in a time trial. First there was a ride over an undulating 10 km then came the first shooting - 10 shots at 4" targets about 40-50 ft away, indoors. Both were then repeated, making a total of 20 km and 20 shots altogether.
With each missed shot being penalised (if I remember correctly) by 18 secs, the balance between those who were more cyclists and and those who were more riflemen/women was surprisingly close.

Participants like to theorise what is the best approach with respect to handling the rifle after riding hard, i.e. when to ease off on the bike (e.g. the last 200-500-1000 metres?), or whether to ease off at all.

I was also in an archery club for about 6 months, and I'd be surprised if you are able to persuade members to loan much of their treasured equipment for a competition where untrained non-archers take part.
I suppose you could always start off with darts!

(I've also done a small running/rifle biathlon - a 7.5 km run with two shootings at the 2.5 and the 5.0 km points. The shooting was easier than in the bike/rifle event as the targets were only about 25 ft away, at an outdoor shooting range)

Melpro

I've done lots of archery but never managed to carry my bow on my bike, it had a nasty habit of trying to strangle me or bash against my bike frame or the road whilst riding.

I certainly wouldn't fancy falling off with sharp arrows about my person :shock:

Good luck with your idea.

david 142

For my money, Bows and Bikes are best enjoyed separately - different mindsets required, hectic vs contemplative...
Plus, mine is a longbow. Difficult (though possible) to carry on a bike.

How about combining bikes and paintball?
I reckon they're a better match, and because paintballs are so much less dangerous than bullets or arrows you could even try mounted events... :twisted:

knedlicky

Melpro wrote:

I've done lots of archery but never managed to carry my bow on my bike, it had a nasty habit of trying to strangle me or bash against my bike frame or the road whilst riding.

I certainly wouldn't fancy falling off with sharp arrows about my person :shock:

Good luck with your idea.

In the bike/rifle and running/rifle biathlons, you don't carry the rifle or the pellets, you collect them at the shooting range. The same principle could apply for bows and arrows.

knedlicky

david 142 wrote:

because paintballs are so much less dangerous than bullets or arrows you could even try mounted events... :twisted:

I believe in North America, cycle jousting is popular with youths.

DavidBelcher

david 142 wrote:

For my money, Bows and Bikes are best enjoyed separately - different mindsets required, hectic vs contemplative...
Plus, mine is a longbow. Difficult (though possible) to carry on a bike.

How about combining bikes and paintball?
I reckon they're a better match, and because paintballs are so much less dangerous than bullets or arrows you could even try mounted events... :twisted:

Hmm....DIY Colnago-style "Art Deco" finish, anyone?

David

Mosschops2

Personally I like the idea - but it sounds like a biathlon of things you like!!

Next you'll be suggesting a pentathlon of cycling, archery, table tennis, 10 pin bowling and ultimate frisbee!!!

(Now called Ultimate - yes I know!!)

AndyGates

What, no beer and creme egg race?

heavymental

Haha....what a great idea mosschops!

Wasn't the Pentahlon all based around some story about a messenger delivering a message or something...ah here we go...Wikipedia obliges....

The modern pentathlon was invented by the Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic Games. As the events of the ancient pentathlon were modeled after the skills of the ideal soldier of that time, Coubertin created the contest to simulate the experience of a 19th century cavalry soldier behind enemy lines: he must ride an unfamiliar horse, fight with pistol and sword, swim, and run.

Your version could be like a simulation of the life of a modern western man. You might also consider; dancing, throwing chips at moving cars, downing a pint and watching mtv whilst doing bicep curls.