Well this report will be slightly different as I organised and planned it rather than competed.
The event had turned into a labour of love for me over the past few months, it being in danger of being cancelled several times for various reasons. Due to permissions nightmares with a new management team at the Forestry Commission on Cannock Chase, first my initial request for Beaudesert and then a revised proposal to use the Slades were rejected causing me to approach Staffordshire County Council to use Sherbrook valley, which brought its own challenges of bridleways and busy areas (many thanks WCH access officer Jane Christopher who did a sterling job getting this permission at last minute).
Two weeks before the event the many dog walkers and ramblers on Cannock Chase would have seen a crazy bloke (me) map board on, pencil in hand riding up and down every single track on the side of Sherbrook Valley, mapping. I saw several groups a few times and I got some very strange looks wondering what an earth I was up to.
I
also explored the possibility of using some of the more major tracks in Brocton Coppice, an area of ancient woodland I had permission to use. However I took the decision after riding the tracks not to include them and make them out of bounds as it would have potentially caused many tyre tracks in the muddy conditions where some of the oaks are over 500 years old.
To top it all, two days before the event I had to pull an all-nighter at work after our mail server failed, so started putting controls out on Friday night somewhat on the back foot.
I always enjoy putting out controls at night, it makes the navigation more challenging and the silence of the chase with starry skies and your head torch picking up the many eyes of the deer and other animals make it a special experience.
I was in total muppet mode though. With my bike out of the car and ready to go I realised Id left all the control flags at home (luckily I
only live 5 minutes away). Next when putting out the second batch of controls I realised this time I’d left them in the car. I then got back to the control flag in hand to find I’d left the rucksack next to the car….doh!
I’d organised the event from Anson’s Bank Car Park which brought its own interests, being infamous for having a certain reputation, and several bemused cars came in turned round and exited quickly during the day.
The competitors seemed to enjoy the challenge I set them, including the score section I had to include due to the many bridleways to the north. Winner of the men’s open Steve ‘MTBO Legend’ Heading cycled the 70km from his home in Matlock, won the event and then cycled home again, nutter! Emily Benham showed her class by winning the Women’s race by a clear margin, but it was good to see new-comers to the sport doing well. Stuart Clayton, and orienteer and cyclist put the two together for the first time to win Mens 18, and gaining in confidence is XC racer and orienteer Matt Jones, who is slowly working his way towards the top of the field.
Award for most amusing incident of the day has to go to Andy and Andy. After driving down from up north they arrived with both themselves and the inside of Andys car covered in latex after a tyre exploded in the back of the car on the motorway. Yuk !
Results available at www.walton-chasers.co.uk