Embleton MBO, Sunday 22nd November.
A brighter, drier day for the first event in the 2015-16 Winter WCMTB series saw 32 riders set out from near the Pheasant Inn at Dubwath. A very large map gave riders plenty of opportunity to get warmed up. There was a definite pattern to the day, with earlier starters heading east towards Skiddaw and Bassenthwaite village and later starters heading west to Lorton Vale. Then there were those who decided to go large and visit both areas…..
The highest score of the day came from Chris Hope and Andy Wrigley who, riding CX bikes, racked up an impressive 380 points, coming within 50 secs of losing it all as they skidded in just short of the 15 minute late deadline. They visited 21,2,4,20,18,10,19,24,17,9,22,1,23,15,14,6,11,25 which left them with 345 points. Watching them arrive just in time, was second placed rider Alastair Silver, who had timed his effort far better scoring 307 (after 3 late penalty points). The other riders to collect over 300points were Pete Strong and Bob Glaister, who got 320, but were also 14 minutes late leaving them with 285.
Not far behind were Julian Cooper (284), Ray Morriss (275), Ade Gidney (260) and Kevin Hodgson (250).
Highest scoring women were Fiona Wright (on a CX bike) with 190 and Jane Hornsby 169. Neither knew the area well, so very respectable scores for solo riders.
In mixed pairs Helen and James Moore scored an impressive 210, with Angela Wakefield and Pete Leeson falling foul of the puncture gremlins and arriving late to score 187.
Youngest rider Tom Oatway dragged dad Dave round to collect 90 points, only to lose 25 to late penalties, leaving them with 65 points.
Thanks and well done to everyone who turned out and especially Pete Strong for help on the morning and collecting controls. Thanks too to the Wheatsheaf Inn in Embleton for great food and beer (the portions were almost as outsized as the map….).
The prizes of coffee and cake at the excellent and newly re-opened Lorton village shop, raise eyebrows with those whose spouses have come to expect wine – but better to support local enterprise and visit somewhere new, than sit in and get sozzled (it’s a theory anyhow…).
See you at the next event – a Tuesday evening night event from the Kirkstile Inn, Loweswater on December 9th.
Andy Williamson