adidas TERREX Swift
Stages 3 and 4; Bowland and Malham
Rob Howard / 02.06.2012
When teams left the Glasson Sailing Club they set off to return alongside the river Lune, this time on the Lune Valley Cycle Way back through the city of Lancaster and on to the village of Caton, reversing much of the route from the paddle! Once at Caton the route left the river and set off across the area of hills know as the Forest of Bowland .
It was a route which made an impression on the teams. Fiona Mcbryde of the ‘For Goodness Shakes Superberry’ team said, “There was a nice long gravel track and it felt quite remote. We saw no one else, no other teams, and it was a bit foggy which made it more eerie.” Others too said the route had felt wild remote, but not everyone was enjoying it, Phil Humphreys of ‘Spirit of Adventure’ said, “That was really hard. The wind seemed to be against us all the way and i got really cold, it was rough too and I couldn’t get keep a sensible pace.”
When he said this he was in the village of Slaidburn, one of many decked out with flags for the jubilee, and beside him was a full size model of a guardsman and he was still high spirited enough to pose beside it and salute. (See the photo gallery.)
From Slaidburn the route took teams into the Dales and up to a special bike orienteering stage in Gisburn Forest. The area has some well built trails and teams were warned to be careful at the briefing as some sections were quite technical. (Race Director James Thurlow had personal experience of a fall there, followed by a hospital visit!)
The map teams were given at Gisburn had 6 checkpoints on it, to be done in order, and course planner Dave Johnstone said, “The shortest routes between them are probably the most technical, but the tracks on the longer way around may be quicker, so teams will have choices to make. Those who arrive later will have to decide how much to do as it will be far more difficult in the dark.”
This was the first part of the course which was optional, though each of the 6 checkpoints missed would give teams a 45 minute penalty. Those I saw all opted to do all the checkpoints, but some who arrive later and in the dark may miss the section and move on around the course.
When the French team, Outdoor Averne, arrived they took time out to stop and eat for 20 minutes, before setting off. I asked them what brought them to the race. “We wanted to see Yorkshire,” said the team Captain,, “and also we wanted to try a long race as it’s a new experience for two of the team ... but one that was not too long.” He smiled and added; “It’s been good ... so far!”
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