Event Details
Club: | Lakeland Orienteering Club |
Event Name: | Lakeland Bike O 12 Series 1 |
Date: | 12/06/12 |
Format: | Bike O |
Mapping: | Ordnance Survey |
Time Limit: | 2 hours |
National League: | - |
League: | Lakeland Bike O 2012 (Round 1 of ) |
Electronic Punch: | No |
Event Report
It looks like this year’s summer Lanequest series of cycle orienteering events will be more popular than ever, with 134 riders competing in the first round.
Phil Morgan’s course, based on Sizergh, was deceptive and many experienced riders were tempted into exceeding the time limit, incurring penalties. Controls were located in the Lyth Valley and on the undulating lanes to the south-east of Sizergh, but it was a few controls on the hill above Brigsteer that really challenged those hoping to get 300 points.
Mike Toyn was the only rider to successfully visit all 30 controls inside the two hour time limit. Close behind Mike, the men’s solo class was tightly fought, with David Heffernan, David Hollingham and Trevor Smith equal second on 290 points.
Anne Plant (274) was first in the women’s solo class, with Lisa Whetter (266) second. Last year’s series junior winner, Bryony Halcrow (260), was third, a promising start in the senior ranks.
Other classes:
Juniors: Carrie Beadle (230).
Generation pairs: Stuart Walker and Parris Hewitson (255), with Gary Thomason & George Taylor (250) a close second.
Adult Pairs: Andrew & Sarah Crozier; Mike Brooks & Andy Beck and Sally Ward & Attwood Bruce were equal first with 280.
Phil anticipated the optimum route would be: 28,12,2,29,1,6,14,30,27,26,19,11,5,20,10,21,3,9,13,7,22,15,18,25,23,4,17,16,24,8 finish, taking in the Lyth Valley first, then over Brigsteer Hill across the A591, through Natland and generally clockwise round the controls south and east of Sizergh. This gave 34.17 miles and 1020ft gain.
Both David Heffernan and Dave Hollingham opted to go east and south first, then the Lyth Valley and Brigsteer: 8, 24, 16, 25, 23, 4, 17, 11, 5, 20, 10, 21, 3, 9, 13, 7, 22, 15, 18, 29, 1, 6, 14, 30, 26, 27, 12, 2, 28, taking 19 as in and out rather than crossing the A591 (potential for a couple of minutes wait to cross this busy dual carriageway). This gave 32.3 miles and 960ft gain.
Winner Mike Toyn’s route was similar, taking 23 and 25 after the controls east of Stainton Brook. 8, 24, 16, 4, 17, 11, 5, 20, 10, 21, 3, 9, 23, 25, 13, 7, 22, 15, 18, 29, 1, 6, 14, 30, 26, 19, 27, 12, 2, 28.
For those not looking to visit all 30 controls, it was obvious that 19 and 26 on Brigsteer Hill should be avoided, then 1, 6, 14, 30 and 27, around the Lyth Valley (temptingly flat, but controls far apart). So those seeking up to 23 controls had a relatively easy choice, but between 24 and 27 controls it was quite a conundrum.
Mike Toyn summed it up: “The climb up Brigsteer Hill to checkpoints 26 and 19 was a killer! It seemed to be the one which separated the scores at the top end of the leaderboard. Great event, well planned offering a challenging course with lots of options. Perfectly laid out controls and a high quality map. Super slick organization”.