Well done to all those that took part in the third Small Area Format (SAF) offering of 2018. I had originally intended to use Upper and Lower Hale Woods to the north of The Anghiddy and the map was portrait rather than landscape. Then two weeks ago as I was riding through checking I noticed a big sign and map banning all public use of paths and tracks there for felling work until June. So big replan moment, switched map to western area and the following wet Sunday, Andy and I drove round the new area, surveying by car and soggy foot! In the end I preferred the new map - the views were definitely better than in yet more forest. Saturday youngest son Matt stuck out half the controls in pouring rain (mine were by car and foot again!) and on the day eldest son Ed and partner Cate helped in the hall, a real family effort.

Once again the event was highlighted by some excellent riding and results certainly give justice to this. Congratulations to the top three, Ifor Powell with a course clearance of 510!!! Ian Cartwright a close second 483 and Mark Morgan’s improving form saw him take third with 476 pts. The remaining class winners were, G - Lisa & Adam Methven, sorry we didn’t mention you on the day. First Lady was W50 Ro Cole 320, the other class winners were W21 Gemma Foley/Hannah Gibbons, W40 Angela Boakes, W60 Shirley Robinson. The Mixed X Class winners were Lisa Welbourn & Bryan Elson and the Y cat was taken by Huw Higgins Worrell. It was good to see some new faces and with some quick tuition on MTBO and SAF by the team, they were off, returned what appeared to be happily and said they'd do more; we'll be needing bigger car parks next!

Thanks to Sion on SAF planning advice, Amanda and her Mum's nourishing food, also we gained from an surfeit of soup and bread from an NGOC night street event the night before night, thanks Shirley :) So lots of food. Why was I astonished at the rate it disappeared! Also the control getters, thank you to Mark and John and Ifor and Simon and Andy and Sion. All safely gathered in well before dusk.

Finally, thank you for supporting SARA, Severn Area Rescue Association with your donations amounted to £102.21 plus one old French Franc! I will send them a cheque, explaining who the money is from.

See you next time

Gill