Lakeland Lanequest Event 3 Report

EVENT 3 REPORT – THE REDWELL INN– ARKHOLME:  TUESDAY 19^TH JUNE

106 riders turned out for the 3^rd Lakeland Lanequest, based at The Redwell Inn, Arkholme. Planners Andy and Sarah Crozier with  Martin Oglesby provided lots of head scratching amongst many of the regulars with several deviously placed controls which included a finger post on the shoreline near Carnforth, urban streets around Carnforth, riverside tracks and even the spectacular Aqueduct carrying the Lancaster Canal over the River Lune. Expert navigator and 2^nd overall in the series so far David Heffernan found route plotting an efficient route particularly tricky. “What a challenging plan this was. I spent so long trying to work it out and really had no idea whether my route was any good when I set off.  It was nice to be able to ride on familiar roads from my Lancaster University days and it can’t have hurt having a bit of local knowledge! “

The top of the Male Solos was hotly contested with Tom Gibbs imperious as always. All the top riders gained lateness penalties, Gibbs Included, proving this to be the hardest event so far. Dave Sproston also bagged all 30 controls but was a further 3 minutes in arrears. Dave Heffernan was a close third to retain his 2nd overall in the series, still within touching distance of Gibbs for overall honours and the chance to cut the cake with the eventual ladies’ solo champion at Wilfs Café, Staveley after the final event on Tuesday 10^th July.

In the Women’s Solos Jo Cleary scored highest on 244 points to maintain her class lead over Helen Jackson, with Iona Wilson and Angela Brand-Barker equal 3rd on the night, each on their first event of the series. For Jackson it was an interesting evening, having arrived at the start with shoes that didn’t match the pedals cleats on her bike!

The Generation class was won again by the Winnards plus Tony Watson, with the Brooks 2nd in class.

In the Pairs another high score from James Annan & Julia Hargreaves put them ahead of Sally Ozanne who teamed up with Kieran Hodgson this week after her great solo score at Oxen Park. Bringing up the rear of the popular 23 strong Pairs class were Chris Swift & Graham Hamilton who blew all their 190 points due to an extended exploration of the Lancaster Canal towpath which they apparently enjoyed immensely!

It was all smiles at the finish as competitors tucked into the excellent Redwell Inn food and re-hydrated, with complimentary comments about the event.

At the series half way point, Gibbs and Heffernan lead yet again, with the ever-consistent Dave Hollingham in third place. Notable in 11^th place is veteran rider Rod Carter, whose finely honed navigational skills have put him ahead of many riders less than half his age.

Jo Cleary holds a narrow advantage over Helen Jackson in the women’s solos with Heather Meek a distant 3^rd

The Generation teams of Gerard Winnard, Toby Winnard & Tony Watson lead Mike and Henry Brooks, whilst in the Adult Pairs, it looks like a three-horse race between Richard Davies & Julia Richardson, Rachel and Mike Toyn and Garry Thomson and Ian Ramsay. Previous series winners the Toyns have both been plagued with niggling injuries this series, and despite competing “just for fun”, they remain competitive as ever

This weeks’ chosen chosen charity: Fix the Fells ( https://www.fixthefells.co.uk/)

 

Remaining events:

Tuesday 26^th June- Ford Park, Ulverston LA12 7JP. Charity: Ford Park Community Group

Tuesday 3^rd July- The Station Inn, Oxenholme LA9 7RF. Charity: Bendrigg Trust

Tuesday 10^th July- Wilfs Café, Staveley LA8 9LR. Charity: Langdale and Ambleside Mountain Rescue

Entries on line or on the day.  Full series details:  https://www.wheelbase.co.uk/about-us/events/lakeland-lanequest-2018/