We hope that many of you paused to take in this view of Ullswater whilst visiting Askham Common? If you were riding too fast to take it in, say thanks to Zoe Ferguson for pausing to take this stunning shot and sharing it with us. Tony enjoyed similar views when collecting controls after the event.
We hope you all enjoyed the varied riding from Great Strickland and the warm hospitality provided by Anton and Penny at the Strickland Arms. We think it’s a great venue and will certainly be going back there in the future. They usually only open and serve food from 5pm so note this if you intend riding nearby!
Thank you for all coming back safely and giving us good feedback. Angela wants to apologise for placing checkpoint 28 on the wrong gate. She ran up the footpath in the rain on Saturday and popped it on a gate in the wall that had a quad bike track to the NW and a vague track to the SE. It was approximately 200m NE from the bridleway gate. Angela has vowed to learn how to use a GPS / other technology in future to double check locations, especially if it’s raining and she hasn’t got her contact lenses in!
On that note, the advice to anyone who is convinced they are in the correct place and it looks like the control box is not there, don’t waste time looking under every bush – mention it to the organiser when you finish and you will be awarded the points (unless everyone else has found it and you haven’t!).
We chose to make the event 4 hours long so there was plenty of choice of where to ride. Tom Gibbs elected not to stop and take photos and enjoy the tremendous views but to blast round every control and then be less than 2 minutes late – chapeau!
We also had one entrant who turned up without a bike and ran the event. Harry Kingston scored 327 on foot – well done!

Next in the series.
Sept 25th – Oxen Park. Ed Knight is planning an event that will explore the territory between Coniston Water and Windermere. Fast forest roads, classic rocky Lakeland trails, quiet country lanes and villages it has the lot. Another 4 hours of fun on a bike!
October 23rd – Staveley. Rod Carter is finishing off the series with a return to the home of our sponsors, Wheelbase. However, do not expect the same as last year. Rod has planned something quite different to entertain you.
After the event we will be adjourning upstairs in Wilf’s café for refreshments and the series prize giving. Your best five scores count in in the league so enter the last two events now to make sure that you are in with a chance of a prize.

Angela & Tony Brand-Barker