Day Two saw the riders head out on a more traditional 3 hour course with a maximum of 30 controls to collect. The setters had done a sneaky job of slightly adjusting the controls to the immediate north & east of the HQ, but this time we also incorporated Fedw & Chepstow Park Woods to the south. I already suspected the map was tough enough, so I opted not to place controls too far off the escarpment into the Usk valley on the west of the map. I have to apologise for the control in Crumbland Plantation, I placed 19 one track junction north closer to the edge of the wood but didn’t amend the map or add the extra minor path to help with locating it. Those that missed it were credited the score & hopefully those that found it didn’t waste too much time hunting it down.

There was a mixed day forecast again, but all we had was a couple of very short showers. It certainly was much blustery at the event HQ & out on the course, but this didn’t seem to blow anyone too far off course. With the 3 hours coming to an end the riders started returning the venue to be welcomed by Sallie, John & the helpers from the church with tea, squash, sandwiches & wedges of delicious home baked cake. The results started populating again & it was clear Tom’s lead was going to be too great, unless he had a run of bad luck. As it happened Ifor Powell had the bad luck & managed to lose is seat descending a rough track above Tintern, he made it back to the HQ stood up all the way much to the amusement of the roadies he passed.

With all riders safely back, fed & watered it was time to announce the results & award the prizes. Tom predicably held on to the top spot with a combined score of 1308 points from the 1400 available. Ifor Powel grabbed the 2nd position on the podium with Tom Davies taking 3rd. Nicky Griffin lifted the shield as the best female rider on 764, followed by Val Ravenhill & Sheila Peirce in 2nd & 3rd. The individual class winners were, EBike Chris & Jules Aldous, M70 Steve Willis, M60 Ian Cartwright, M50 Tom Gibbs, M40 Tom Davies, M21 Nuno Cerqueira, W70 Jill Manning, W60 Val Ravenhill, W50 Nicky Griffin & Mixed Pair was Andrea & Steve Foster.

Now for the Oscars’ Speech Bit – Firstly a big thank you to Sallie, John & James of the Meads Farm for hosting the Event, there was nothing that was too much trouble when setting up the field & bar, with out their first rate support the weekend would have been nowhere near as successful. With that I must thank the church for helping with breakfast & tea, especially the cakes which were amazing.

I’d also like to thank my band of helpers, Ian on registration, Jules for running the bar, Beth, Chris P, Chris A, Val, & Dave who set the controls, then Laura, Mike & Si who collect in. Also, to Doug who at short notice helped set up day 2, Alex & James who collected in a sizable portion of the course on Sunday afternoon. Thank you to the John the ‘Brecon Bikesmith’ for being on call to assist with repairs over the weekend.

It was a fantastic weekend thank you all for coming and see you all again soon!

If you would like to view the event Maps they can be seen on the Raven Website on the Navigation Tab.