Sunday saw the second of the 2024 lakes MBO series take place . After all of the horrible weather we have had this year it was a delight to have a fine day with drying trails. Despite road closures and an out of service ferry a near record entry managed to turn up at Hawkshead school on time to tackle the challenge that Ray and Stephen Morriss had set. The course had a good mix of lanes, purpose built cycle ways, rocky trails and not to mention, a few climbs as well!

The course largely stayed North of Grizedale Forest because we did not have Forestry Commission permission to use the forest roads. Public rights of way through the forest were ok though. There was a significant height advantage was to be gained by using the forest roads from 20 to 23 which was why a large label was placed over the route saying Out of Bounds. Sadly one person chose to ignore the instruction and has been disqualified.

A rider was also observed going through the Buses Only No Entry sign into Hawkshead near the start. A reminder to all that road traffic regulations apply to bikes as well. Our events rely on the honesty and good will of the competitors to ensure that we are welcome to use the areas again in the future. Please behave.

Congratulations must go to Tom Gibbs and Angela Brand-Barker for winning their categories. David Cowgill and Claire Riley put their disastrous ride at Lorton behind them to win the mixed category, Newcomers Craig and Kirstine Bailie were first EBikers. Well done to all however large or small your score. We hope that you enjoyed your rides. Full results are attached HERE. A reminder also that your best 5 events count in the series so we look forward to seeing you at the next event at Shap in June. Series results HERE

A big thanks to Ray and Steve for their hard work planning and I am sure that you appreciated Marion’s sterling work supplying you with tea and biscuits afterwards.

Thanks also to the Hawkshead School for allowing a group of potentially muddy bikers into their hall. A donation from the proceeds will be going towards their school funds.

Finally a word of warning! Along the drier warmer weather comes the risk of Ticks. Some were spotted on Sunday so please give yourselves a quick check over to make sure that you did not pick any up.

We all look forward to seeing you at the next event.

TonyBrand-Barker

LMBO Series coordinator

Planner’s comment

Starting with thanks to Tony, Angela, Marian, Steve, Alison, Hawkshead school, Andy Brown for the use of the woodyard for parking, and to the Minstrels Gallery , also all of you for entering.

We seemed to have got it fairly right as you all seemed to be smiling as you finished, plenty of differing routes, sadly Martyn had a bit of brain fade resulting in his DQ.

Happily we had some good weather for the W\E with dry DUSTY tracks, Steve and i had some grand rides checking for the event and putting out and collecting in.

Hope to see you all at Shap and that summer will have arrived.

Ray Morriss

Planner.