I sometimes think that we use Dalby too much but after another superb event we probably don't use it enough. I was as surprised as everyone with how fast the tracks were and I still went along some tracks I hadn't used before. I went anti-clockwise to avoid getting stuck behind the out of bounds later on with little time left and was really pleased with my route and my score - until I saw the leading totals for the Senior Men. Fortunately Paul Allen has written the article below so we can work out how one of them does it!!
The map seemed very big, far too big, but as it turned out, it nearly wasn't big enough. I chose to do an anti-clockwise loop, as the controls behind the out of bounds were a bit isolated to get back from in a hurry if time was getting short. I set off and gathered 17, 7 and 11, this was 45 points all quite close together and then leaving the 5 pointers, I went via 13 and 20 to start the loop 21, 26 etc. I couldn't find the control 20 at first, it was deviously hidden behind the bushes, but the description did fit, so all was fair. I kept to the good track on my way to 21 but then lost a bit of time by going straight on down the valley. The track got worse and worse and then I had a steep walk up to get back onto the fireroad to 26. I should have gone the long way round and kept my height.
I seem to remember slashing my legs with briars in getting no. 26, then the next laugh was going down into Deep Dale from control 28. I don't know how I kept upright going down here, it was very rough and slimey. I had knobbly tyres on which seemed an overkill for the dry tracks, but they paid off going down here. I avoided the steps up to 27 by going round by the track which was 90% rideable. Judging by other people about at the time, this wasn't the quickest way. After going round by 12, I dropped down the hill for no. 25. I arrived there to see Jenny James rolling about on the floor, unable to get her feet off the pedals. As if this wasn't exciting enough, I was just about to get on my bike when Andy Windrum rode into me, bending my bars and breaking half my mapboard off.
We picked ourselves up and after the shock of all this happening, the climb up from 25 didn't seem that bad. I now had to keep a thumb on my map all the time to stop what was left of it shaking off completely. I was pleasantly surprised to see that I still had 50 mins left to go. I aimed for control 18 collecting 10 on the way. 10 was very easy to ride past, but luckily I saw it, then on to 8 and 29. There was a bit of choice now, it was a toss up between 19 and 24, so I chose 24, dropped down and went in and out for 30. This track was quite good and fast, so then aimed for 22. I didn't have enough time to get 19 as well, but the top lads must have. From 22, I climbed out of the bottom and got 4 on the way to 15 and 9. The penultimate control was 16 where I carried on down to the road, wondering if I was going to fall off or not riding down a 1 in 1 slope over tree roots and loose pine needles. Picked up control 1 and then to finish.
A well set out course, with much faster riding then anticipated and some good entertaining descents. I covered 25.2 miles at an average of 11mph. Thanks to all.
Thanks to all of the helpers again and to Jens for producing an excellent course and an excellent map. I am sorry that some of you had a poor copy - my fault, I ran out of decent paper and couldn't get any more locally in time. One control was stolen before the end of the event. That is £68 down the drain and it's no use to the thief so he has probably thrown it away. If any of you ride round Dalby and find it please let me know. The next event is on May 1st at Gilling and I have attached the entry form. Please pre-enter if possible so that I know how many maps to print. There were only 5 left last Saturday!! If you haven't joined the TCA yet you will have to do so next week. If you intend to compete in most events this year it is probably worth joining as a full member. If you have paid your associate member fee you still have to pay £1 for day insurance - and your membership number is on the league table.
I have just received the Gilling maps from Jens for printing. There are 3 (A4) 1-15000 maps. You have to visit all of the controls on Map 1 before you can collect Map 2, then all controls on Map 2 before you collect Map 3. If you find any later controls accidentally don't bother using your SI card on them because you won't get the points!!
Don't forget that the CLOK Hamsterley event on May 8th is in the North Yorkshire League but please send your entries to Paul Thornton.
The Wednesday evening summer treasure hunts start next month with an event planned by Brian Kelleher starting in Pickering. Please email your entries to me.
Steve Willis