LAKELAND LANEQUESTS – 4th event –The Stork, Conder Green, Lancaster

A heavy downpour and a puncture did not prevent Mike Toyn, Wheelbase (Series Sponsors) rider from maintaining his winning ways and yet another maximum score in the latest Lakeland Lanequest starting from The Stork at Conder Green. Despite the lanes being very wet and the cycle path along the Lune muddy, from a heavy downpour at 5.50, and even a puncture during his ride none of this prevented Mike from visiting all 30 controls and returning with seconds to spare, to score a maximum 300 for the forth event in a row. This stunning chain of performances means that he will retain his series title for a second consecutive year, with two events yet to go, the overall series title is based on the four best scores out of the six events. He was followed in the Solo Men class by David Heffernan 290, Alan Hartley 282 and both Henry Syska and David Hollingham with 280, followed by David Mainwaring 270.

From the start at The Stork at Conder Green, Rod Carter the organiser, designed a testing event, with the controls placed over an area that included Glasson to the west, and north along the cycleway following the estuary toward the southern edge of Lancaster, also included some cycle lanes through the University of Lancaster campus and further east beyond the M6, then south taking in Bay Horse and skirting the edge of Forton and round to Cockerham and the coast. The downpour caused a few minor crashes on the wet lanes and the Lune cycle path to become somewhat muddy, with the result that some riders returned looking as though they had been mountain biking.

Anne Plant in the Solo Women class won, matched Mike Toyn in winning all the first four events, her score of 246, put her just ahead of Mary Ockenden with 240, Lynne Woods following with 226, and Lorna Stewart 206.

The Generation Pairs saw Matt & Katie Woods with 246, ahead of Heather & George Milligan 230, Steve & Jake & Thomas Mason 222, just ahead of Tom & Matthew Phillips with 220. In the Young Juniors, Annie Jo Gregory & Lucy Downham scored 160 points.

Vicky & Nicky Jones with 268, managed to get the better of Andy & Sarah Crozier 250, the winners of the three earlier events in the in the Adult pairs/3s class, who were followed by Cressida Allwood & Jane Dalton & Jon Cox 230 and Tony & Pauline Richardson 220

The next event of the series of six 2009 Lakeland Lanequests, is on Tuesday 30th June starting from Anglers Arms, Haverthwaite. SD 347 840 by A590 2 miles SW of Newby Bridge. Food £5. Event organiser -Carol McNeill 01229 861507. carolmcneill@tiscali.co.uk

The last event, of the series of six 2009 Lakeland Lanequests, is on Tuesday 7th July and is the traditional ‘Winners Cut The Cake’ event from Wilf’s Café, Staveley. Organiser - Dick Courchee 015395 36426. Wheelbase the series sponsors will be stay open especially for the event.

Lanequests are 2 hour bike orienteering events on country lanes, suitable for all bikes, with all profits to local charities. Starts are from 5.30 – 7pm, a pre-marked, A4 colour OS map around 1:50,000 is provided, but don’t forget your helmet. More details and entry form, visit: www.mintcakemtb.co.uk or www.wheelbase.co.uk or email: carolmcneill@tiscali.co.uk Tel: 01229 861507
Full results and details of further events see www.mintcakemtb.co.uk and www.wheelbase.co.uk or email: carolmcneill@tiscali.co.uk Tel: 01229 861507