The first league event of the season attracted 150 riders despite the bitterly cold wind and occasional sleet flurries. Despite the weather it was still very enjoyable so thanks to Tim Clarke for planning the course and the helpers for making everything run smoothly.
The competition area was a bit too large but it gave everyone plenty of route choice although I prefer to visit more controls at an event. However it was my idea so I have had a word with the planners of the next 3 hour event!!
We decided not to put out the controls in Boltby Forest and along the Hambleton Way on Friday afternoon but thought it would be possible to get down through Silton Forest to create a circuit from Osmotherley. Control 10 was too tough and riders who went up through the forest from Control 25 had an enviable task. I got there and decided to stay below the snow line for the rest of the course. Adding to the difficulties were the number of thorns so plenty of tyre protection was needed and those without struggled. Lower scores made getting back on time crucial and a few riders got caught out and lost all or most of their points. However everyone as usual was very positive when they finished which says something about their attitude – or sanity!!
The split times and results are on the web pages. If you didn’t make it to the event but want to ride the course please send me an SAE and I will send you one of the spare maps – which reminds me to thank Jens again for drawing another excellent map. (Unfortunately he split his tyre on the way to the first checkpoint so couldn’t appreciate his own handiwork from a competitors point of view).
The next event is on Saturday 9th April at Wykeham Forest near Scarborough. You will have to visit the first 10 controls in order then collect a map with the remaining 20 controls and visit as many as possible in however long you have left from your 2 hours. Please send your postal entries to Sue Adams again. If you are emailing don’t forget to include your Class, Full Name, TCA and SI numbers (if you have them). She doesn’t know you as well as I do – yet!
We will include the 3 new TCA classes in the league for over-60’s; J – Men; K – Women; L - Mixed
I hope to see you at one of our events this year.
Steve