Event Details
Club: | Midlands MBO |
Event Name: | The Bosworth Battler, Leicestershire |
Date: | 18/06/17 |
Format: | MBO Score |
Mapping: | Ordnance Survey |
Time Limit: | 3 hours |
National League: | - |
League: | Midlands MBO Series 2017 (Round 7 of 11) |
Electronic Punch: | No |
Event Report
On the hottest day of the year so far this was always going to be a test for even the strongest riders, as clear blue skies and Mediterranean temperatures were not going to change over the 3 hours of the event. Using the historic undulating landscape of West Leicestershire that saw the Battle of Bosworth Field bring an end to the Wars of the Roses in 1485, the battle this time would be in route choices and direction of travel, especially as there was a distinct difference in the north/south distribution of CP's. With fewer and more widely spread CP's in the south of the map, these generally carried higher scores including the only 30 pointer in the south-west corner.//
//With an eye on the rising temperatures early starters sought a slight advantage but ground conditions were dry and hard for all, as the 27 checkpoints, (all but 2 being off road), offering a total of 540 points, presented the challenge. Being mid summer the vegetation, growing taller by the day, was also going to be a factor on certain less used tracks.//
//With a number of CP'S located on no through routes there were many in/out decisions already made for the riders and the majority headed north in an anti-clockwise direction to later mop up additional points as time allowed in the south.//
//Although the area contains no major hills, deep valleys or rocky tracks it proved to be a tough course and strong riders were expected to do well and so it proved. Having started //
//relatively early it was no surprise to see Mark Rowley take a lead on his return posting 430 points, less 9 time penalties, to give 421. Mark covered all but 5 CP's and obviously likes this area as he has previously won both of the Dadlington Bike O events here. He took the lead from Mike Lole, showing his liking of a hard riding course by scoring 360. With Andy Smith, Jeff Mew, Dennis Jaques, David White, Richard Murray, Daniels/Pomfret and Sion James the only others to exceed 300 all eyes were on the return of Ian Cartwright who could seal the League if he won today.//
//It was close as Ian incurred 11 penalty points, but his final adjusted score of 439 was just enough to overhaul Mark. This has already been an outstanding season for Ian who just seems to get better no matter what the course has to throw at him. Very well done!//
//Local bragging rights went to Geoff Ford, (M60), with a very creditable 260, (and also found the strength to help collect in some of the CP's afterwards!), whilst solo female winners were Val Ravenhill and Anne Nicholson. As always the pairing of Bryan Elsom and Lisa Welbourne put in a strong showing but were just pipped in their class by Andrea and Steve Foster.//
//With the hot and exhausted riders returning to HQ to enjoy the excellent facilities offered by the newly built Dixie Sports Pavilion on the edge of Market Bosworth, there was time to appreciate the first class venue and surroundings and enjoy some shade!//
//Organising an event like this for the first time, Phil Thursby and Bernard Lamb were pleased that the event proved popular and helped to bring the sport to an under rated area where there are underused off road trails to be discovered.//
//The refreshments and home made cakes were a great success. Many thanks must go to Lorraine Thursby for baking the fantastic cakes and organising the catering with help on the day from other members of the family. Their hard work led to donations for the food boosted by the arrival of Ambleside Cycling Club from Nuneaton who were invited to make this their cafe stop in the morning. This together with other funds raised will be donated to local good causes.