On Saturday, in glorious sunshine, Kevan and Eleanor who are regular winners of the mixed category managed 19 checkpoints. Gareth and I only 17, despite riding further and faster than most. It was revealed that our route planning was poor, or non-existant.
So Sunday we spent much longer doing the planning after finding out that the checkpoints had been awarded various point scores according to their accessabilty. Another glorious day and we really got into the swing of it. We did much better and just pipped the Underhills by 5 points overall. They were still 5th in the mixed teams and best mixed Super Vets with Gareth and I 12th in the Senior category; which wasn’t bad for a first attempt. We might even go back next year. A big thank you to Kevan and Eleanor for showing us the ropes and persiting with the idea of doing this event.
The results and details about the event should soon be posted at http://www.polarischallenge.com/
Aargh! Have just looked at the results – if we'd had the bottle to do that last check we'd have been catapulted from 6th to 3rd in the mixed! And (with the benefit of hindsight) we did have time, I just chickened out. They always say it's the last check that wins or loses it for you. Anyway well done to Nick and Gareth – great result for Polaris virgins – and 28th for them and 36th for us isn't bad out of 220 teams.
For everyone else, come and join us next year – great weather (guaranteed!), brilliant riding, beautiful surroundings, excellent tracks and of course good company!
And if we had managed to find that 18th checkpoint on the Saturday we would've ended up around 20th!
Was a great weeekend, pretty tough though and I dont know how I managed it with my man-flu, cramp, stitch and anything I apologise now for moaning about! Nick did a great job map reading and sandwich making, although I'm still not sure that curry-mayonaise tuna is a good idea.
I think in a years time I could be talked into doing it again, be great to get some more teams too.
Glad you enjoyed it Gareth – I'm coming round too; felt like we were getting the hang of it by Sunday pm!
It would be good to get a few WVCC teams for next year's event. We created some interest with our team kit. By the way, Dan Mathers who introduced himself to us at the Polaris is riding the Warrington 4 up 25mile TT as part of his club team (Seamons CC) with some VERY fast clubmates. I recognised one or two others from Tuesday night SQT's at the velodrome too. Good to see others who enjoy mixing the various cycling disciplines.
That does it!! I'm buying a bike. Count me in for next year…
I'm sure that's Dick Dastardly sticking his chin out in the second picture, but then that would make me Mutly. There were a few parrallels with "Whackey races" come to think of it.