Event Details
Club: | Lakeland Orienteering Club |
Event Name: | Lakeland BikeO Series 4 |
Date: | 22/06/10 |
Format: | Bike O |
Mapping: | Ordnance Survey |
Time Limit: | 2 hours |
National League: | - |
League: | Lakeland BikeO 2010 (Lanequest) (Round 4 of 6 events, best 4 to count) |
Electronic Punch: | No |
Event Report
The 90 plus riders, who made the long trip to the 4th Lakeland Lanequest event, from the Plough at Eaves, found that it proved to be a very different test from the first three events.
The flat event area south of Garstang, and to the west of the A6, included some very picturesque quiet roads and villages, around St Michael’s on Wyre, Woodplumpton, Great Eccleson and Catforth. On the lovely sunny evening the riders may not have had chance to notice, as Rod Carter has mentioned, “the lanes of the Fylde were resplendent with Elder blossom and the heady scents of Honeysuckle”.
An efficient route choice presented quite a challenge, as the joint organisers Graham Almonde and Peter Knott had placed the controls around the area so that some very careful thought was needed to find a way, to link them in an effective way, within their capabilities. Despite the flat roads many riders found they had to rethink and revise their planned route during the second hour of the competition.
David Heffernan of Ulverston triumphed in the Solo Men with an impressive 290 points, from Mike Toyn (Staveley) 280 points, and in third David Hollingham (Endmoor) who visited 29 controls but incurred time penalties for a score of 275 points.
The Solo Women saw Lorna Hewitt (Morecambe) score 220 points to win from second placed Rachel Toyn (Staveley) who visited 23 controls but gained time penalties for a final score of 215, and an unusual equal third place for Anne Plant from Pennington near Ulverston and Mary Ockenden (Lancaster) both with 212 points after time penalties.
The Juniors saw Bryony Halcrow from Kendal, win with a very impressive 232, a score that would have been good enough to gain her 1st in the Solo Womens class!
Matt & Katie Woods – Kendal, in the Generation pairs, won again with an outstanding 240 points from second placed Tom & Matthew Phillips (Lancaster) 210 points. The Adult pairs/ 3’s, saw a win for Andy and Sarah Crozier (Lytham) with 260 points, from close second Mike Brooks and Andy Beck (Kirkby Lonsdale) 254 points, and third placed Tony and Pauline Richardson (Kendal).
The general conclusion from competitors was that it was challenging to plan a route with loops that worked well, and although it was a bit of a distance to travel, had been very worthwhile. The inclusion of a toll bridge, was surely a Lanequest first, which could have presented a new test for riders, had not the organisers arranged an exemption for them.
Here is what David Heffernan said about his choice of route and the event -I thought it was an excellent event. It was really tricky to join up the controls to the south of the map. I ended up missing control 13. I believe I couldn't have got a better route for 29 controls. I did 3 4 20 23 24 25 27 30 29 28 26 22 21 18 19 17 16 15 14 12 8 7 11 10 2 1 6 5 9. Mike Toyn dropped 15 and 14. He planned to do so and the route marked on his map did not visit them. I planned a route for all 30 that went 3 4 ... (same as above) .... 14 12 13 5 6 7 8 11 10 2 1 9 and then improvised en route when I decided that I needed to drop a control. I think that getting 30 was quite a bit longer than getting 29, possibly 7-8 minutes because the loops didn't work as well.
The overall league positions are starting to become clearer after four events; in the Solo Men Mike Toyn has now edged ahead of David Heffernan, and they are closely followed by Henry Syska. In the Solo Women, the positions are unchanged with Anne Plant is still comfortably leading, from Rachel Toyn, and Lisa Whetter (Levens). In the Juniors Bryony Halcrow, leads from Joseph Oglesby, impressively Bryony’s score in the league would also place her second in the Solo Women. Matt and Katie Woods continue to maintain their lead in the Generation pairs from Steve and Jake Mason.
The Adults pairs/3’s sees a change with Tony & Pauline Richardson taking the lead with four events, from Andy /Sarah Crozier, and Mike Brooks / Andy Beck / Andy Douglas, but these teams have both only competed in three events up to now. With two events to go the league positions could well see some more changes before the final at Staveley.
The next event of the series of six 2010 Lakeland Lanequests, is on Tuesday 29th June from The Derby Arms, Witherslack. By the A590. SD 442 829. Food wil be available.
Lanequests are 2 hour bike orienteering events on country roads, suitable for all bikes, and with a choice of classes to enter; they are ideal for leisure and also more competitive cyclists alike. Starts are from 5.30 – 7pm, a pre-marked, A4 colour OS map around 1:50,000 is provided, but don’t forget your helmet, food is also available after all events. More details and entry form, visit: www.wheelbase.co.uk or email: carolmcneill@tiscali.co.uk Tel: 01229 861507