| Method | Pros | Cons | Comments |
| Using a pencil and Cardboard Marking sheet. Observer sheet with all riders and laps, | Easy to check and correct. | Becomes unreadable when pencil used on wet soft paper.Maximum number of riders has to be known, before event, or standard sheet. | Low cost, OK for dry days. |
| Punch per section. No observer.Rider carries punch card. | Riders can check total for laps(s). All weather.No observers required. Option: keep card for all laps, or return for marking after each lap.(speeds up results) | Open to cheating and abuse. Errors not easy to correct. | Standard punch, does not span marking columns |
| Rider carries punch card for all laps, Punch for observer. | All weather. rider can check total for all lap(s) | Errors not easy to correct. Organisers have to wait for final total.. Observer per section required. | Standard punch, does not span marking columns. |
| Rider carries punch card for single lap, Punch for observer | Organisers not waiting for final total. | Errors not easy to correct.If marked by rider,open to cheating. Observer per section required. | Standard punch, does not span marking columns. |
| Observer sheet with all riders and laps. Stylus to push through,pre-cut perforations in columns | No spidery handwriting!Reusable backboard.Speed of data entry, may allow observer to handle 2 subs. | Requires custom design.fabrication costs. | New idea,worth considering.Potential to scan sheet directly into PC.Interface would detect the absence or presence of a hole.Standard design could lower costs. |
| Example spreadsheet matrix.120 riders, 3 laps. A small area of full size sheet is shown(to reduce download time) For printing on Waterproof paper.The observer just places a dot over score. | Waterproof Materials available from link below.Easy to create custom sheet,organisers can specify rider numbers and laps etc.Possible to mark 2 subs with 2 x A4 sheets.Use HB Pencil.Tested with water running down sheet, and marking still legible! Cost is 29 pence/sheet! | Untested in the field,but interest shown bya number of clubs. | If you need more info,try link to waterproof materials supplier, or email me. |
Example of Full size Excel template. (Only if you have Microsoft Excel installed)
UK Website for Riding Numbers and other related products.
Details of Zecom Waterproof Paper.
UK Supplier's Website for Waterproof Paper and Markers.
Send comments and suggestions via Email to Webmaster: Mike Meadows.