Winter 2007

Dromara Cycling Club are pleased to announce a three round winter league of our popular trailquests.  
All proceeds and a club donation will be given to The Northern Ireland Children's Cancer Home, Shimna Valley, Bryansford Road, Newcastle.

What is trailquest?
In simple terms trailquest is off road orienteering by bicycle.  Approximately 26 control sites of varying point values (eg 10, 20 or 30 points) are positioned around a course which includes road,  forestry trails and bridleways.  Competitors are given detailed maps at the start of the event showing where these sites are located and the time limit set to complete the event.  Competitors need to work out the best route that will earn them maximum points but allow them to return within that specified time.  Arriving after the time limit will incur severe penalties (in terms of points).  The team who have the most points will win the event.


The dates are as follows.

Round 1 - Sunday 25th November 2007
Dromara Football Club, Rathfriland Road, Dromara. [A mixture of lanes, bridleway, road, forest and mountain side. Hilly in places]

Round 2 - Saturday 29th December 2007
Brennans Garage, Newcastle Road Seaforde. [A mixture of lanes, bridleway, road, forest etc. Undulating]

Round 3 - Sunday 20th January 2008
Shimna Valley Home, Bryansford Road Newcastle. [A mixture of lanes, bridleway, road, forest etc. Undulating]


Entry fees will be:
£15 for a team of one adult and either 1 or 2 juniors (under 16)
£20 for a team of 2 or 3 adults (no juniors)
£10 for adults going solo

All ages welcome, but under 16 will need adult supervision.

For an entry form please click here.

Dromara CC would like as many as possible to enjoy these fun events with a competitive twist.

All enquires to Trevor Annett
Email: trevor@dromaracc.co.uk
Telephone: 07714 382158


Standard Trailquest Rules
Trailquest is a young sport and the aim is to keep rules to the minimum to achieve good public relations, safety & fairness.
  • Competitors must report to the finish even if they retire. Failure to do so may render entrants liable to search and rescue costs.
  • Competitors must wear a helmet. & should carry a whistle and 1st aid kit - minimum of plasters and dressing to stop a severe cut bleeding.
  • Competitors may use tarred public roads, RUPP's, BOAT's and bridleways and any forest, estate tracks or white roads specified by the organisers. Use of footpaths or any other road or trail or 'out of bounds' areas will result in disqualification from the event.
  • Team Members must keep in voice contact at all times - including control sites and finish. Penalty 25% loss of overall score.
  • Individual solo and team competitors must navigate and ride independantly of other competitors. Penalty 25% loss of overall score.
  • Competitors must close all gates, pass or overtake walkers and equestrians slowly and courteously, treat the rural commmunity with due consideration and aim to cause no damage to the environment.
  • Competitors must offer assistance to any competitors who are injured or in danger. Compensation for time lost can be awarded at the discretion of the event organiser.
  • Preriding an event area is not considered to be within the spirit of the event.
  • Competitors should punch controls in the appropriate numbered box. Genuine mistakes must be reported on the finish line as mispunching. Failure to do so may mean that you will not be credited with the points for a control.
  • Event organisers may add their own local rules but may not ignore these rules.
  • Towing or the use of towing aids is not allowed
Trail Cyclists Association (TCA) Penalty system
All TCA national and regional events use the following penalty system
  • 1-5 minutes late        1 point per minute penalty
  • 6-10 minutes late      2 points per minute penalty
  • 11-15 minutes late    5 points per minute penalty
  • 15-30 minutes late    10 points per minute discretion
  • Over 30  mins late    loss of all points


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