News
A beginners view from a BikeO
Posted: 24/02/10
I entered with the view of getting out on the bike in a new area and just enjoying the ride and getting a bit fitter.
I understand the idea of BikeO (Lanequest) but knew there would be some fitter and better riders taking part, so I knew I was just entering for the fun of it and the taking part. The old British spirit 'It's the taking part that counts'. However I suppose it's like anything that involves competition once you join in you want to do your best.
At the start I was given the map and I set off into the countryside checking out the controls and the clues of where I needed to go. Initially I was tootling along in the cold making sure I wasn't going to skid off on any of the residual ice. Then I was overtaken by another cyclist, he must be a competitor as he had a map like mine, and then he stopped at a control I was heading for. No red mist came down just a sense of wanting to compete, so the pedals started to turn a bit faster and a review of the map to see where the higher points could be scored and off I went with a bit more determination.
I saw other competitors as I did my route, there was a couple on a tandem, several road bikers whizzing round heads down, a father with his son on a small MTB, and many more that seemed just like me out for the enjoyment. Everyone you passed gave a nod, a smile and a greeting of encouragement. Those that knew what they were doing had maps on swivel handlebar boards and were closed mouth about the clues. Well I had my GPS and okay the map was in one pocket and the clue sheet was in the other, and every time I had an answer I had to take my gloves off to write it down and then my fingers would be freezing, but I was doing okay.
Well I got around the course and enjoyed the scenery of a new area as well as the first proper ride of 2010, I reached the finish with 5 minutes to spare feeling a sense of achievement and the potential for a reasonable score. In previous attempts at lanequests/bike orienteering I have been a bit of a failure; navigation sending me off completely in the wrong direction; falling off in rivers seeing my mobile telephone floating away; and getting to the end so late the penalties wiping off any of the points I had scored.
I checked my results and I had scored 175 points (out of 525) and although I knew I wasn't a winner and probably not in the top half I felt I had competed and this was a respectable finish for a proper first attempt. I had my GPS with me, I'd had my timer set so I knew how long I had been out and what was left so I could get to the finish with out penalty.
A drink, a chat with a couple of other competitors, the bike packed away and I was off home with the satisfaction I'd had a nice ride and may have found a new sport I could take part in and enjoy.
When the results were published I saw there had been a good turn out of 57 riders and I looked down the list to find my name and position. The winner had got 450 points, previous results showed the winners were getting nearly maximum points and were very fit cyclists so I didn't feel any shame in my score. I looked down the list and when I found my name fourth from bottom my sense of achievement slightly paled. In my mind the excuses made me sound like a disgruntled premier league manager after a trouncing from Manchester United; tactical errors; bad route choice; could have picked higher scoring controls; fitness level down due to injury; not being able to find the war memorial in Linton -on-Ouse for ages and losing valuable time; not having one of those swivel board thingummies.
Then I remembered why I took part; to getter fitter; to see new areas; to have a laugh; to have a sense of achievement; to be able to get better and really to just get out there and ride; and in the back of mind yes to compete.
I am looking forward to the next event, and as many as I can get to after that; and I know throughout the year my fitness will get me round quicker; I will score more points; I won't always be fourth from last; but I know I just want to get out and enjoy the ride.