Event Details
Club: | NEMBOS |
Event Name: | OMM Bike Day 2 |
Date: | 07/09/14 |
Format: | MBO Score |
Mapping: | Ordnance Survey |
Time Limit: | 3 |
National League: | - |
League: | - |
Electronic Punch: | SportIdent |
Event Report
I can only load one file onto this page so the combined scores for the Polaris score are on this page and the scores for the Long Course are on the Day 1 page. Sorry there is no space for the Short Score but the splits for all courses are available at http://www.sportident.co.uk/results/2014/OMM-BikeLite///
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//I would like to thank Ark for keeping the Polaris alive and also for providing a stepping stone for those runners who don’t want to camp out at the October OMM or those who have used it as a warm-up. Thanks to Ark for asking me to plan the event as it gave me the opportunity to ride regularly in another beautiful corner of Northern England. I thoroughly enjoyed riding (most of) the bridleways – although there are a couple I will never attempt again!! Thanks also to Jim Imber & Dave Cowgill who checked some of the proposed control locations for me. //
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//I wasn’t sure if an event for bikers and runners would work but I think it did. Please let us know what you think. I spread the controls out to provide at least 120k of riding on Saturday and 80k on Sunday to keep the riders going – then moved the nearer ones slightly to create public footpath options for the runners. I would try to have more controls nearer the event centre in future for the runners to create more route choice and less road running. There were over 300 bridleway gates marked on the map and a few more that weren’t but at least you could make a choice as to whether a bridleway was worth it. We didn’t find any gates left open or any litter when we were collecting the controls in (and I haven’t had any complaints from farmers or landowners) so thank you.//
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//Thanks to Jens Strain for another excellent map. He really does set the benchmark for MBO Score maps and any mistakes were down to me. (Either I didn't tell him or didn't notice that he hadn't drawn it as I wanted). Thanks also to the various agencies and landowners who were happy for the event to go ahead – Cumbria CC, Lake District National Park, Natural England, United Utilities, Lowther, Lonsdale and Levens Hall estates. We didn't pay for access but will be making a donation to both mountain rescue teams, based at Penrith and Kirkby Stephen, who would have helped if required. Thanks also to Craig Robinson for the Event Centre in Orton and Stephen Lord at Gaythorne Hall for the best overnight campsite I have ever used in 35 years of mountain marathons.//
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//I had enjoyed riding in this area in the Polaris a few years ago with the mix of Lakeland fells, limestone grassland and undulating country lanes through picturesque villages. I tried to direct you to the better bridleways and taped those that I wanted you to use but were a bit vague. (I hope they helped) Thanks also to my wife Barbara who helped me cut back the brambles and nettles for 500m west of #35. It's a pity that Natural England didn't want me to position a control on the bridleway NE of #37 through the Great Asby Nature Reserve. It's a brilliant single-track through limestone pavement so please use it responsibly if you come back for a social ride. //
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//I was pleased to see the variety of routes that bikers and runners used. It is very interesting looking at the splits There were various optimum routes with hopefully enough choice to keep everyone happy. I was surprised that 5 Long Score bikers went to #05 in Mosedale. I deliberately gave it only 20 points to discourage you because the bridleway down to #04 in Swindale is really tough. It was worth 50 points on the Long Score Lite course so I was please to see 7 runners get there. The overnight rain on Friday and showers on Saturday were disappointing after such a glorious late summer but the tracks didn't get too muddy. Fortunately, the early morning mist cleared on Sunday so that we could all enjoy beautiful scenery in glorious sunshine. //
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//Final thanks to Dave Lloyd for helping me put out the controls on Friday and Saturday plus Graham, Tom, Richard, Davie, Euan and Steve who helped collect them in on Sunday. There were only 5 left for Barbara and me to collect on Monday morning before heading back over the Pennines. I'm looking forward to competing in the Spring event and planning again next Autumn within an hour of Richmond (if asked)!! If you enjoyed yourselves please tell your mates and bring them with you next year!//
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//Steve Willis//
//Course Planner //
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