Obviously 2001 will be remembered for the FMD crisis. Mountain biking was as badly affected as all other outdoor activities and the Ebor League was suspended after the first event in February until July when Forest Enterprise allowed us to hold an event in Pickering Forest. In the intervening 4 months we were able to offer monthly MBO Treasure Hunts using the minor road networks around Ripon, Bedale, Kirby Overblow and Terrington. These events proved popular with 50-70 cyclists taking part each time and TransworldSport turning up at Terrington to take video coverage for Sky Sport!!
The season finished with a fitting climax in Dalby Forest when we staged the Trail Cyclist Association National Championships. They were a success with 300 cyclists competing during the weekend in a Hill Climb, 5-hour Trailquest, MBO Relay and MBO Score. Jeff Harris and Pete Crosby spent hours in the forests planning excellent courses which tested the cyclists' navigation and fitness to the limit. It was hard work but the brilliant team of helpers made the event run smoothly and there have been many very positive comments from the cyclists who took part as well as the TCA.
So THANK YOU to:
Joe Dobbs, Ian Coe, Andy & Cathy Windrum
Bryony Black, Wayne Nicholson, John & Jane Stenton
Sue Adams, Dave
Binks, Andy & Mandy Faint
Nev Myers, Steve Corrigan, Frank & Sandra
Appleton
Dave Lloyd, Paul Thornton, John & Leslie Dixon
Andy &
Alison Whittle, Pete & Helen Laundon, Sarah & Steve Roberts, Ann &
Dave Watson and especially Barbara
The Ebor MBO League was shortened to 6 events at Easingwold (4-hour), Pickering, Harwood Dale, Cropton, North Riding Forest Park (5-hour) and Staindale with the best 4 scores to count. Over 550 cyclists have taken part in the league this year. Congratulations to the leaders
| Men's Open | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Jon Ayleward | Otley | 383 | |
| Andy Windrum & Wayne Nicholson | Easingwold | 357 | |
| Andy Faint | York | 352 | |
| Women's Open | |||
| Mandy Faint | York | 279 | |
| Ruth Greenwood | York | 239 | |
| Tina Waterall | Bridlington | 226 | |
| Veteran Men's Open | |||
| Paul Thornton | Guisborough | 366 | |
| Chris Wright | Eskdale | 340 | |
| Dave Lloyd | York | 335 | |
| Veteran Women | |||
| Jill Furphy & Carol Johnson | Guisborough | 281 | |
| (Jill & Carol would have won the Women's Open Class) |
|||
| Super Veteran Men | |||
| John Dixon | Northallerton | 324 | |
| Dave Day | Ripon | 322 | |
| Dave Rose | Rochdale | 304 | |
| Super Veteran Women | |||
| Mary Carrick | Humberside | 230 | |
| (Mary would have finished 4th in the Women's Open Class) |
|||
| Generation Team | |||
| Mike & Tom Pickwell | Grimsby | 233 | |
| Keith & Colin Foster | Billingham | 214 | |
| Jim & Lucy Imber | Cramlington | 131 | |
| Mixed Team | |||
| Carol Donnelly & Mike Naylor | Malton | 295 | |
| Jon Meeks & Amanda Bates | Darlington | 285 | |
| Sheila & Ian Mulrooney | Guisborough | 279 |
Thanks to the planners - Nev Myers & Steve Corrigan (Pickering), Steve Roberts (Harwood Dale), Paul Thornton (Cropton) and Jeff & Pete for the Nationals.
Planning for next season is under way and the proposed fixture list is attached. During the next 3 months there will be 3 MBO Treasure Hunts which will take place on Saturday mornings. It is the same format as last year with a pre-marked map of 30 controls and a 2-hour time limit. Just phone or email to book a map.
There will also be a short series of MBO events during the summer evenings in May, June and July.
I have had offers to plan the winter Treasure Hunts and 4 of the MBO events but if you want to volunteer please get in touch.
If you haven't entered an Ebor MBO event this year then make it your resolution to have a go in 2002. You will be very welcome. There is a friendly and informal but competitive atmosphere. There is only one course (although there is a shorter non-competitive option at every event) and only 8 classes. If you are a good orienteer and know how to ride a bike then you will be surprised by how well you will do.
Steve Willis
PS If you intend to have a go next year don't forget to
add a pair of cycling shorts to your Christmas list.
Steve Willis