Event Details
Club: | West Coast MTB |
Event Name: | Allerdale Bike Challenge 3 - Uldale |
Date: | 18/06/14 |
Format: | Bike O |
Mapping: | Ordnance Survey |
Time Limit: | 2 hours |
National League: | - |
League: | Allerdale Bike Challenge 2014 (Round 3 of 5) |
Electronic Punch: | SportIdent |
Event Report
Allerdale Bike Challenge 2014 – Uldale report
Before I set off to place the ABC checkpoints out on a Wednesday afternoon, I do my “anti-rain” dance and then double check that all the cables with SI box, Buff tape, notice and clamp are in a logical order. This should then be fool proof…
My first checkpoint is at the entrance to Kestrel lodge and here I find that the sign is nowhere to be seen! Double & triple check the map and then make an executive decision to attach the cable to a tree and ‘edit’ the maps. Should all be plain sailing from here on…?
Second checkpoint has some thorny branches to dodge then its onward – well, it would be if a large delivery van wasn’t blocking the way! Five minutes later the driver emerges & then does a 15 point turn and I can get going again. Why is it that nettles have an affinity for finger posts? As competitors, you may moan that you have to be careful not to get stung when “dibbing” – spare a thought for the checkpoint marshal who had to first find a stick so I could get close enough to fix the cable onto the post…… and then collect them again later!
Mae’s tea room and gallery was an excellent venue and the Cumbrian weather gods were very kind to us again. Only one rider was delayed at the start by the cows returning from their milking parlour but one marshal managed to put her foot right in a “splodge” when collecting the road warning signs! I’m sure you’ll agree that the cakes more than made up for the “few” contours that had to be crossed. Most riders headed North and avoided the long trek to Bassenthwaite. The views of Skiddaw were stunning from the ridges near Boltongate – hope you had a few seconds to enjoy them. A few riders hadn’t read the map carefully and thought here was an easy route back West from Longlands (No 14). As footpaths are out of bounds, there was a tough descent and re-ascent that meant a lot of points were lost by some.
Top score on the night was 170 and then there was some close packing behind. It was great to see new faces coming to try a new “sport” – one young gent had only been out on his bike for the first time for a few miles just before the event returned with a big smile on his face.
The ABC league table is now available. Well done to class leaders Richard Wren, Kate Charles, Colin & Gillian Fell and Karen & Matthew Blackley.
The next event is from the Fox and Hounds in Ennerdale on the 2nd July. Enter on-line at www.bmbo.org.uk
Event Results
Results: | Download |
Club Website: | Unavailable |