Here is Saturday’s map. It’s a large file but you will be able to follow the riders’ routes from the splits if you couldn’t make it

2014 Dalby 30000 Working Drawing with Controls 29th August

Dalby Weekend Organiser’s Comments

Thanks to Dave Lloyd for yet another excellent course which ensured that we used the full variety of forest roads, broad tracks, purpose-built and older singletracks in order to visit all of the controls. The weather was disappointing but we were still able to make good progress in this bike-friendly forest.

Thanks to the Fox & Rabbit for an excellent event centre but the Start was 3km away in the forest to avoid you having to cross the very busy A169 in a hurry twice. I hope you enjoyed the warm-up and also the opportunity to check out the route back to the Finish. (It wasn’t that bad)!! Dave had put out the tape to help you find the controls as soon as you reached the right feature and Jens mapping was excellent as ever.

Thanks to the helpers I was able to thoroughly enjoy my ride having decided to head anti-clockwise to climb gradually near Givendale then clear the plateau by using the excellent Red route section between 52 and 56. I ignored Bickley and made the decision with over an hour left at Jerry Noddle to go down the slithery bridleway towards Langdale for 44 and 59 before the climb back up to Crosscliffe which disappeared in a blanket of fog as I arrived. Through 54 and 34 then it was just a fast decent down the forest drive before the final climb out of Staindale.

Andrew Windrum (M40) showed that all the training in Poland had psyched him up for this event so that he cleared up with 7 minutes to spare. (Seriously, 3^rd in the World Championships is a brilliant result). Conrad Ellison (M40) had another excellent ride to finish 2^nd overall with 485. Ian Nixon (M21) finished 3^rd with 471 despite a (slowly-repaired) puncture. (His words not mine). Tim Evans won M50 with 463, Nathan Parker (Y18) scored 442 then Adrian Baskerville won M60 with 400. Adrian & Luke Parker were the only Generation pair and scored an excellent 383.

Sheila Pearce was the leading female rider with 399 and the other winners were Karen Blackburn (W60-305), Katy Cawthorn (W21-265) and Helen Bagley (W50-245). In the Mixed categories it was Steve & Andrea’s turn to beat Ralph & Chris by 10 points with 355, Karen & Steve won X60 with 280 followed by Kerrie & Peter Moore (X40-245) then Martin & Sarah Naylor (X21-229).

Thanks to the control collectors everything was in by 5.30 so that I was able to tidy up and get ready for the morning before heading off to the Fox & Rabbit for a delicious meal.

The weather wasn’t any better in the morning for the Moors Marathon but it didn’t stop 48 riders from enjoying the 4 courses – the only really unpleasant bridleway being the track from Lilla Cross to Breckon Howe. Thanks to the volunteer control marshals for giving you a warm welcome at 5 controls this year. They were Corinne Parsons, Mike Nayler & Carol Donnelly, Frank & Sandra Appleton, Roger Hartley and Michael Brough. Graham Fielding didn’t quite get round in 5 hours on the Long course but, to be fair, it is actually 104km (with 1900m climb) so a very impressive time. 16 other riders completed the A course but only 2 riders finished the B course – 4 riders opting for the shorter route after too many sausage rolls at Breckon Howe. 25 riders enjoyed the C course and the ride over Goathland Moor was better than expected but there were only 3 riders (and me) opted for the beautiful short course around the Hole of Horcum. However, everyone has to climb out of the Newtondale valley from Farwarth Crossing so apologies for the sting in the tail at the finish but there really isn’t another option. I worked out the distances a few years ago without the benefit of Strava, Viewranger etc so I will update the information for next year. I am also happy to amend the routes if you have any suggestions. Another good day despite the murky weather and £250 will be donated to the Scarborough & Ryedale Mountain Rescue Team. It would be great to see more riders next year so please let your mates know.

Our final NYMBO league event is at Grewelthorpe near Ripon on Saturday 11^th October. David Day has planned an excellent course on the Kirby Malzeard Moors. The starts are an hour earlier than usual between 10 and 11. Parking is at Newholme Farm Caravan Park which is 500m from the village hall where hot refreshments will be on sale before and afterwards so please support them. Prizegiving for the BMBO and NYMBO Leagues will take place at 3.30 so please stay to collect your prize(s) and/or applaud the winners.

Hope to see you there or at one of the winter events which will be announced soon..

Steve