There was a small but very friendly event held on the North Yorkshire Moors as an alternative to the Polaris. The weather wasn't brilliant but most of the 13 riders stayed out far longer than the 7 hour limit on Saturday so that Dave Watson won with an impressive score and no penalties. The course included most villages west of Blakey Rigg and bonus points were scored for a visit to a tea shop. The Lion Inn was the perfect place for everyone to recover - and wait for Ralph Foulkes doing his first event and coming in happily 3 hours late!
23 riders started on Sunday with Andy Conn gaining the highest score on the day and everyone who had ridden on Saturday coming back well in time. The course stayed east of Blakey Rigg so most of us covered over 150 km in 2 days in beautiful countryside.
I will definitely be planning a 2 day Mountain Bike Marathon for the TCA on September 10/11th 2005 somewhere in North Yorkshire so book the date in your diary.
Steve Willis