News
Missing Event Report Published
Posted: 18/03/10
Apologies to Andrew Hudson, we missed the last part of his event report last month. The February Newsletter has now been updated and the whole article is reproduced here://
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//Tollerton MBO Score Event 20 Feb 2010//
//A beginners view by Andrew Hudson.//
//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 lane quests 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 had 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 wiped 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 get 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.