Planners Comments

I was originally looking for a new area but the chosen pub didn’t have a car park so at Steve’s suggestion I looked at the old Sicklinghall map. With Woodhall bridge due to open on the 1st January I decided correctly as it happened that it was too risky to plan anything south of the river and I wasn’t happy with using or crossing the main roads. I also think that some of the courses have been a little large so I was trying to get something that was just too big for Mr Conn and from the comments above got it spot on. I also enjoyed the street work we had on the Ripon event so included this round Wetherby, and the 40 shilling one in Spofforth.

Desk top planning was complete so as usual I left the actual riding till a nice cold day Strava route is https://www.strava.com/activities/242802198 and Viewranger with control pictures is http://my.viewranger.com/track/details/MTM1NTc3Ng== . Some of the old controls had changed or I couldn’t find and the only track I couldn’t ride was the one west from 26. I deliberately blocked out the central ones as I knew from local knowledge and complaints last time that they were boggy, only one rider that I knew took one of these routes which was the direct line from 1 to 26 and it probably cost him the win as Ed , Max and Andy all got 450 points but only one was back within 2 hours. I have to say it did make me smile.

Apologies for those who got confused over number 30 I should have moved the control but I had it set in my mind that the old railway tunnel would have a dated keystone on it and on finding it didn’t should have moved the control.

Thanks must go to Steve for organising, Jens for the map and the Scotts Arms for excellent hospitality and having a café with nice coffee and chocolate cake for while I was waiting was much appreciated. All I really needed was a dry seat in the sun , which is why the finish was moved from the start. Thanks for all the positive feedback