Event Details
Club: | SWEMBO |
Event Name: | SW League 2 - Woodbury Common |
Date: | 28/03/15 |
Format: | MBO Score |
Mapping: | Ordnance Survey |
Time Limit: | 3 hours |
National League: | - |
League: | Southwest MBO Score League 2015 (Round 2 of 7) |
Electronic Punch: | SportIdent |
Event Report
Woodbury Common is an excellent area for holding Mountain Bike Orienteering events, with it's mixed terrain, it's technical path network, and its many ups and downs. It is however not quite big enough to sustain a 3 hour Score, so in the past we have ventured East, to the coast and up to the high points of Mutters Moor and Peak Hill, but this time, for a change we decided to head west to the Exe Estuary, incorporating the Exe Valley - Budleigh Salterton Cycle Path. This came as a surprise to Nick who had previously chickened out of the big climb up to Mutters Moor, but who had decided that today was to be the day. Alas, it wasn't!!!!
It was surreal cycling through the centre of Exmouth town while competing in an MBO!! I certainly got some strange looks, as my recy ride had only just taken me down the Bridleway that was to be 'recommended not to use' in the event as it had an unavoidable 100 metre length of 30cm deep mud/slurry. I must have looked like the creature from the black lagoon, only on a mountain bike!!!
Without the steep climb up to Mutters Moor, and the flatness of the Exe Valley cyclepath, I was a little concerned that a few riders might clear the board without much of a challenge. These worries were to be proved unfounded!!
With Huge black clouds rolling over the Common, some riders opted to get out early in the hope of avoiding the oncoming storm. Luckily the clouds soon blow over, depositing only light showers, giving way to a nice day.
We were a little disappointed that Tim & Stuart hadn't followed through with their plan to get the 'mixed pairs' handicap by coming dressed in tootoos!!! Maybe next time guys !??!
With most the riders out on the Common, it was time for Faye to make her escape, to go see Mc Busted in Birmingham, leaving Elliot and myself to hold the fort.
By the time we'd set up the tables and plated up the cakes, the first of the early starters began returning.
The main competition for the day seemed to be between the three top pairs, with Tim & Stuart not only out to beat Janet & Matt, but by enough to beat them on the handicap as well. The first part they achieved, whether or not it was by enough to beat them on the handicap is still to be seen.... These four were both pipped to the title of best pair by Mark & Martin who had a super ride, coming 2nd only to the mighty Ifor, who very impressively, managed to clear the board, but only after going over time by 6 mins!!!
There were class wins for: Oliver Moore (M21), Ifor Powell (M40), Alan Knight (M50), Mike Wimpenny (M60), Anne Draper (Ladies), Mark Pollard & Martin Walbank (Pairs), Janet Burroughes & Matt Jepson (Mixed Pairs), and Jack & Nigel Benham (Generation Pairs)
With all the cakes eaten, everyone topped up on fluids and the trophies presented we were just left with the hall to clear and the CPs to be collected. A big thanks to Anne for a sterling job in the kitchen, and the boys for helping with the tables and chairs, and to Nick Ajderian for helping collect in some of the CP's
The great thing about having the event on the Saturday, is that there is not such a rush to collect in the CP's on the day. The not so great thing about having the event on the Saturday, is that there is not such a rush to collect in the CP's on the day, and then the following day it is hammering it down with rain and blowing a gale, and there is a rush to collect in the CP's!!!! Oh well, I've just about dried out, and am warming up now!!!!!
Thanks again to all of you who attended and made the event a great success. We hope to see you all again at the Sleepover in July.
Will, Faye & Elliot.