Longest Day - Sat 20th Navigation & Bar-B

[mudeevee]

9:00 am, Saturday 20 June saw the completion of three weeks of preparation for the Navigation challenge and riders arriving at Newlands Corner to take part and enjoy Surrey’s lanes………….

The day started with a little disappointment – We’d used ‘eventbrite’ as a means of booking people on to the three events for the weekend and had eighteen names for people attending. Sadly, not all of them turned-up on the day. Booking system needs to be re-visited me thinks.

Twelve willing riders did arrive and we immediately nominated three team leaders (these were people who could at least spell ‘map’). The remainder were then invited to ‘stand by their man’ which resulted in three equal sized teams for the day. Teams were:

StevenT, Eamonn, Alex & Gary

Andy, Murray, Bev & Robert

Charlie, Mike, Ian Yammy & Simon

A quick briefing on the aim of the day was given, followed by the issuing of a new Explorer map 145, a pencil and a series of clues (or checks). Each check had a six figure grid reference. Teams were then left to their own devices to mark up maps and plan a route around the various checks.

While teams were planning, the ‘Challenge team’ arrived – this comprised of Strongbow Dave, Shovels Sean and Maino. The aim of this group was to setup sections around the route and give each team points (or not). A surprise addition to this unruly mob came in the form of a monkey bike ridden by Billy – I can’t explain the chaos that this addition caused!

The three teams left Newlands at around 10 to gather points on their chosen routes. There were some 34 checks on the day and a number of these were ‘manned’ by the Challenge team. The 1st challenge was on Ride lane, where a trials type section was setup and riders could gain points for ‘cleaning’ the section – a few actually did! Next was a timed section at the top of London lane. The aim here was for each rider to ride a small route in exactly 40 seconds (so it was very slow). Points were deducted for each second over or under the given time. No one actually achieved the time, but a few were close. Probably the least accurate was Eamonn, who, after being wound up by captain chaos Billy, managed a time of 21 seconds! So 19 points lost there then!

Lunch time arrived as planned at Ockham, as did the teams. Over a bite to eat they were asked to produce membership cards, tyre levers and answer a code of conduct questions. It is worth noting that membership cards gain more points when they are in date and carried. Also worthy of noting that many people seem to carry spare inner tubes, but not the means to fit em! The refreshed teams then departed for the afternoons riding……….

We had manned checks in Ash, Shackleford and The Sands as well as unmanned clues as far west as Alice Holt. Not all teams arrived at all the manned checks within the times and it appears that a couple of the teams did get slightly lost for short periods of time! But hey, that’s the point of navigation challenges!

The final check of the day was back at Newlands and we were relieved to see all teams back before the 6:00 pm finish time. It was also good to see the smiles on the faces of the riders – they had had a good day out – which means we’d achieved our aim! Result!!!

Once all paperwork had been collected in and hands shaken, we had to head off and prepare the evenings BAR-B-Q………. Again, Less people turned up to enjoy the food, beer & banter than had booked in. But, those that did turn-up had plenty to eat and drink, so spirits were high despite the rain that kicked in for a while.

Overall, the days riding and Bar-B-Q were really enjoyable events. They were made so by the efforts of the people involved in helping out. A huge thank you to the following:

Dave & Sean – for putting out the clues while I was unwell and for your enthusiasm throughout.

Maino – for letting Surrey TRF use your back garden as a base and for keeping Dave & Sean’s enthusiasm at acceptable levels!!

Mrs Maino – for putting up with us for the weekend and giving the lads cooked breakie on Sunday morning!

Billy – for being Billy!

Oh – Results? The winning team and champion navigators for Surrey TRF 2015 are………………..







…………………..To be announced at club night, Tuesday 23rd June – see you there

Cheers

Derek

[Stewie]

I would just like to say thanks, as it sounds like it was a big success, and its the effort people put into organizing these events that make Surrey trf the best, so big thanks to Derek and his team of helpers.

[mudeevee]

And the results are...............................
Attached:

[GDAS]

Over a bite to eat they were asked to produce membership cards, tyre levers and answer a code of conduct questions.

that one made me smile - sheer genius Derek!

[stevent]

Congratulations Andy and your team on you navigation successes!
And superior abilities at seeing small plaques on the back of trees!
Is it round 2 in about 3 weeks' time?
Charlie, must try harder.

[Scutty]

Cheers Steve - 3 weeks to go to the big one!!

Again, thanks to Derek for a great day out that deserved significantly greater support!

[AJAG]

Congratulations all, great job.

Did anyone from Steven's group recorded the ride? While file would be good, I am interested in how many miles/kilometers we did.