Isn't it funny pain numbs, and memory's fade, with time.
Only 12 months earlier we were saying how we'd never put on another two-day event using only one SI kit, but once again, here we are.
Learning a few lessons from last time, we tried to keep the number of checkpoints down, particularly for the 2nd day. This meant there was less work to do between the end of Day1 and the start of Day2, With only 10 CP's being required to be collected in and repositioned for Day2, as we managed to get a majority of the CP's out prior to Day1.
Dartmoor can be a very unpredictable beast at times, and even in the middle of summer you can never be sure what weather you'll be dealt. The morning of the event greeted us with glorious sunshine, which always helps get you in the mood for it. Even the grumpy Postmaster at the Post Office where we had to collect the keys from, didn't dampen our spirits!!
The reasonably dry weather in the lead up to the event, meant that we could have almost the entire map open, (we only deemed 1 of the 5 river crossings still too dangerous) which meant much more off road riding compared to the previous event on this area. Whether or not this was a blessing, I'm not sure, as a majority of these river crossing were at the bottom of steep valleys, meaning once you were down to them, the only way out was up the other side!!!
With all the riders out, we were left to set up the refreshments for their return. This was interrupted by a phone call from one of the riders saying they couldn't find CP26 and were sure that they were in the right place. More riders confirmed that this CP had gone missing ( the 1st CP we'd ever had stolen) Unfortunately this wasn't to be the last, for as riders started to return, it became evident that CP22 had also been removed. Luckily for us, but not the riders who wasted time looking for it, it was found, 2 days later, to have been moved to a Bridleway Post 1km away. Whoever had moved it, had done a great job of rehanging it, the 'DO NOT REMOVE, competition in progress' label had been reattached, the control was securely attached, and the tape had hung perfectly. If we ever find out who moved it, we might have to invite them to join our team!!!
With all the riders back, fed and watered, it was just down to the task of collecting in and redistributing the CP's for Day2. With help of Jon Dodwell, Ray Morriss and Michael Conner we soon had enough CP's back to allow us to complete Day2's course.
We would have liked to have stayed overnight with those camping in Princetown, but as Rich was working Saturday, and we required his help on the Sunday, we had to return home for the night. After a quick Takeaway, we finally climbed into bed for a short 5 hours sleep before it was up again for Day2....

The forecast for Sunday started off grim, which is certainly not what you'd want on the barren, exposed expanse of moorland around Burrator, but luckily as the morning progressed, the weather began to clear up, with only a few light showers. Burrator is all about rocks, and how well you can ride them. The gentle former tramway winds its way up to the summit before the rocky descents be you bumping back down to the reservoir.
With fewer CP's today, the points values were higher, with the top scoring 80pt CP sitting, teasing, in the far top corner of the map (the only common CP for both days)
The rocks seemed to cause surprisingly few mechanical problems, which is always a good thing, and most riders returned with smiles on their faces.
With all the riders back, it was down to us to announce the winners of the weekend:
1st Ifor Powell, 2nd Ian Cartwright, 3rd Phil Upton, with Class Wins for Jacob Forster (M21), Ifor Powell (M40), Ian Cartwright (M50), Ray Morriss (M60), Isabel Boyd (Ladies) Mark Pollard & Martin Walbank (Pairs), Janet Burroughes & Matt Jepson (Mixed Pairs) and finally Cheryl & Thomas Cant (Generation)
With the trophies distributed, it was a quick tidy of the hall before joining the riders for a quick beverage at the pub on the adjoining village green, before the mammoth task of collecting in all the CP's
While doing this it became clear that CP11 had been stolen at some point between the last person punching it at 1145 and 1215 when Ian couldn't find it. (we've credited you the points Ian) These few losses were the only downers on what has turned out to be a great weekend.
We hope you all enjoyed it, and look forward to seeing you all again soon.
Thanks to all the riders for making it worthwhile, to Faye for her hard work on the day, putting on her lovely smile, and making some lovely cakes, and to Rich for tirelessly cycling around behind the scenes.

Will.

The overall Results of the weekend can be found here:
http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/7614974/somerset-sleepover-2015-overall-results?da=y

LOST PROPERTY:

1 Helmet. --- Left at the hall on Day1