Summer Series (11)

Summer Series (11) on Mon 1st Sep 2014

Nicky says "The Eleventh race was "Ultra Tour Mont Bamford" and 7 runners turned up to enjoy the delights of Bamford Edge. Personally I loved Keith's write which is included here:"

Race 11 of the Summer series saw a relatively disappointing turn-out. For some this was due to the tired legs after a very challenging Championship race in Wales on Saturday certainly for us who did both, Dave Lund and myself, I know we struggled on Monday. Or was it because with it being an unknown route there was fear of getting lost as the normal pre-race recce’s could not take place. Or perhaps it was because we knew Ms Spinks would be there – “while the cats away the mice will play comes to mind”? Whatever only 7 brave souls attempted the challenge of the Ultra Tour of Bradwell. Almost immediately the field was split with the fast boys going of really quickly but making their own path up to control one and risking bracken and the odd boulder sent down by Dr Dave. Simon Dixon was not far behind and as I was struggling in last place I followed the longer route but used the access path which has built up. From control 1 the pack split into four – Ian Winterburn, Tim Tett, Dave Lund and Ashley all taking one route to Crow’s chin with the remaining three of us taking our own routes. I continued to be in last place when I arrived atCrow chin with the front 4 almost disappearing over the horizon back to Bamford in the distance. Dave Sykes and myself found a good path across to Bamford edge and certainly gained but at the wall junction (control 3) there was none of the first 4 in sight – been and gone. They had decided to take the direct route back and Dixon made the same decision. Dave Sykes and myself decided to take the longer route back to the access path and down. I picked up Dave at the top just past the hut circle, as the higher path may have been easier, we then made our way through the bracken and back to the start/finish. Although we raced each other and Dave went past me in the last second we were both surprised to see the results sheets still hidden in the bushes? Then out of the woods appeared Tim Tett, Dave Lund, Ian Winterburn and Ashley all bleeding from an assortment of leg wounds. Some 7 minutes later Simon Dixon arrived back in a similar state. So that probably gave most a bonus as we were well beaten by Neil at the last race. However, it has helped to mess up any ideas we had of just improving our time a little to ensure two bonuses over the last two races. But a good course and interesting night. Keith