Thanks to Richard Martin for planning the course and putting out all the controls. It’s a cracking area but the scarp slope was always going to play a significant part in everyone’s route choice. I chose to finish climbing up Barker’s Crags like a few other riders and didn’t enjoy it – but the ride across the moors past the gliding field made it worth while. Thanks as usual to the helpers who volunteered to make the event run smoothly. Especially the control collectors who were out when it started to rain.
Nick Harmer obviously benefited from planning last month’s event with an impressive score and the next best total was attained by a super vet – Mike Barnard this month. Karen again used her experience to beat all the other women. Jon and Amanda confirmed their status in the mixed category with Will beating James in the Youth category – the first time they have both competed at the same event.
Unfortunately, again, despite the planners’ advice at the start and a note in the final details, some riders chose to use the footpath between 21 and 28. There is no excuse as 21 was on the bridleway sign and 28 was on the footpath sign. It does nothing to enhance our reputation and makes it harder for locals to accept events like ours. Riders who went directly between these controls have had their points deducted. Please follow the country code and read the map. Thanks to the majority of riders who did visit these controls by using the legal bridleways.
Control 17 caused some confusion as the area was very complicated. If you couldn’t find the control, please let me know and you will get the points added to your score – when the league is updated after Cropton. I am going to ask the planners to use reduced 1-25000 maps in future rather than an enlarged 1-50000 map.
Cheers
Steve