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Dash or Dally in the Dales

Judith Hughes / 03.10.2007

The fourth event in this year’s Mountain Hardwear Open5 Series took place in the Yorkshire Dales at Grassington and saw a record entry of 279 competitors. In spite of mixed weather earlier in the week, the morning of the event was bright and clear and the car park at Threshfield School, event HQ, was soon busy with racers sorting out their kit.

As usual there was a mix of racers taking part, from complete novices to experienced racers, with many keen to boost their position in the Open5 Series standings. Registration was in the school hall and James Thurlow, Race Director, was soon inundated with queries regarding the event. One team was desperately trying to find the location of the nearest bike shop. Having unpacked their bikes, they discovered that they had only brought two, rather than four quick release skewers for their wheels ...

To run or bike?

With the choice open as to whether to run or cycle first, a significant number of competitors chose the run. The run route consisted primarily of checkpoints along and overlooking the River Wharfe, with three lower value checkpoints on a limb to the North East – intended only for those intent on high placings.

Event rules dictated that public rights of way were to be used at all times, and a complex field system did cause some competitors navigational headaches. Nettles were common, and in some of the narrow lanes, were unavoidable although later in the day a clear track through started to emerge.

It was important to allocate just the right amount of time to the run section, for a good placing all the high value checkpoints needed to be visited, and this was likely to take most competitors about 2 hours.

Transition

As racers started to come back into transition, many appeared to have enjoyed the run, although it was tough in places. A couple of teams were a little scratched and bruised from excursions into the bracken. Michael Frost’s knee was looking slightly the worse for wear – apparently after a fight with a tiger in the bracken. Team Kia Kaha caused some consternation with the marshals when they appeared in transition off the run wearing no shoes! Their convoluted explanation was that they left their bikes on the car, so didn’t want to turn up in transition with the bikes as the marshals might think that they had already gone and got some checkpoints (race rules state that racers can only transition once between disciplines).

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