Winter Trail Quest Series Round 3
[Saul, Downpatrick]
Snow had fallen across the middle of Northern Ireland on the Friday before this round of the winter trail quests. Many of the teams who had pre-entered the event were not able to travel down to Saul in Downpatrick where, by contrast, the Downpatrick area had seen no snow. This was the third of five rounds of 2012/13 Dromara CC Winter Trail-quest series and the layout and administration for this round had been organised by our friends from La Lanterne Rouge cycling club, Stephen Heasley, Peter Bohill and Niall Cochrane. The venue for this round was Saul GAA club which proved to be excellent with its car park, function room, kitchen and changing rooms. This was the first time that this venue had been used as a base for trail quests.
Fifty riders were able to come along forming 26 teams with just 2 of those team completing the two hour event with the rest completing the 3½ hour event. The markers were laid out in a wide area from Saul out to Strangford and as far south as Ardglass. This area has lots of bridle ways, quiet lanes and even sandy beaches. Although there was no snow there was a bitterly cold wind and an occasional sleet shower which ensured the riders were well wrapped up before setting off looking to find as many of the 32 markers as they could in the time limit they had.
The first team away were 'The Sore Losers' who have been doing well in the previous two rounds (finishing joint second at round 2) but who had a bad day at this round and were well down the results table. The other teams left at one minute intervals. At their designated time they were handed a map, a sheet of questions and a pen. Teams could have up to 3 riders or solo riders (7 solo rider teams in this rounds), but all had to take time to read over their maps, choose the most efficient route to get the maximum number of points and then get back to base on time. Failure to return on time would incur penalties with points being deducted on a sliding scale. Two teams "The Three must get beers" and "Lone Zeppelin & Italian Stallion" both returned very late and lost all the points they had accummulated during the day. They get a consolodarity single point for 'giving it a go'. Team "French Tony" had a unlucky day and pulled out.
Team "Average Joe", formed by solo rider Paul McArthur continued his domination of the series with his third win in a row scoring 397 points (out of a possible 590 points). "Not the Sunday Run" was second with 366 points with "Misadventures" finishing third with 360. "Tiddlywinkers Revenge" finished fourth on 300 points with "Barrick Hill Blues" just 3 points behind them.
Once the cycling was over the teams returned to base to hand in their completed sheets. They were then provided with bowls of hot, tasty stew and soup as well as plenty of bread, biscuits, tea and coffee. Many thanks to the La Lanterne Rouge and to Saul GAA club for hosting this round. The fourth round of the winter Trail-quest league will be held on Sunday 10 February 2013. Note, this is a change of date from the original calendar and poster. This round will be based along the Strangford coast with event headquarters at Daft Eddies in Killinchy.
The proceeds from the trail-quest series are going to the Northern Ireland Cancer Fund For Children, based at Shimna Valley, Newcastle. Currently the pot now stands at just over £1300. We do hope that riders keep coming along to support the series and raise money for this worthwhile charity.
Report and photos by Martin Grimley
IF YOU WISH TO BE KEPT INFORMED OF ANY UPCOMING TRAIL QUESTS PLEASE SEND AN EMAIL TO MARTIN @ DROMARA CYCING CLUB.
martin@dromaracc.co.uk
