Dromara CC Trailquest Winter League 2012/13
All proceeds to the Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children, at Shimna Valley Newcastle.
The Dromara Cycling Club Trailquest League starts next Sunday 25th November at a new location of Gawley's Gate Inn, Aghalee. Four other venues, Dolly's Brae Inn. Ballyward, Castlewellan, will hold the Christmas round on Sunday 30th December, with the other locations being Saul, Downpatrick on the 20th January, Killinchy on 17th February and Ardglass on 10th March.
Teams of up to three members have the choice of two challenges, either a two hour or three hour thirty minute event using mountain bikes. The two hour event is most suited to team that include rides under 18. Registration is from 9.30am with the first team under way at 10.30 and every one minute thereafter.
Once again this winter Dromara CC have hope to see large numbers of entrants taking part in these popular events which raise much needed funds for Dromara CC chosen charity, NICFC. With five round held during the 2011/12 league a total of £2700 was raised for this worthy charity.
Those taking part range from experienced orienteering people to many coming along for a day's fun. This trailquest based around the Aghalee area is well suited to those who would like to come along and try something different. There are lots of lanes and bridleways and small country roads away from traffic, which lead to hidden views of the area.
To help Trevor Annett who with be running this first round, the club would ask as many people as possible to pre-enter on the club wesite. This helps greatly to make the event run smoothly. Full event details, including enter fees, are on the clubs website,
www.dromaracc.co.uk.
Winner of the 2 hour event in last years series was father and son team "Young Gun & Old Canon", Paddy and Fraser Harrower who had attended all five rounds. For the 3.5 hour event third prize went to team "Jimmy the Kipper", with representatives Alywnne Shannon and Mike Barton.
In th longer event runners up in the series were team "The Losers" (Alan McMullan, Dennis McMullan and Stewart Moore) , with solo rider Graham Boyd "The X-men" the overall winner of the 2011/12 trail quest series and congratulations to him.
For those many cyclists who do not know what a trailquest is, here are a few tips.
What are Trail Quests?
In simple terms, Trail Quests are off-road cycling orienteering events, usually on mountain bikes. You can work as a team or on your own, to locate markers left in certain out-of-the-way places cleverly dreamt up by the organisers.
What is the format of the event?
There will be an event headquarters where you start and finish at. Your team is given a map of the local area with circles showing the location of markers and a list of clues on what to look for or what information you have to write down. Markers would have different points values (10, 20, 30, 40 or 50 depending on the difficulty in reaching the marker). You note down the information at the marker and return the sheet to the headquarters. Your sheets are processed and the winners are those with the most points. The points achieved by all teams are then provided on the event report.
How long are the events?
The adult event is 3½ hours but there is a 2 hour family event for those teams with one or two under 16s, or first timers, who would like to try a new experience. Teams are started at one minute intervals and have to try to return within the time period otherwise they will receive time penalties which get progressively heavier the longer they are late.
What skills do I need?
Some map reading skills are required as well as competent use of a mountain bike.
Why should I take part?
Normally held during the winter, these trailquests are great fun, an exciting way to stay in shape and you will see parts of the countryside you would never see out riding yourself. The event caters for all levels of cyclists and you can go at your own pace collecting as many markers as you can. After all the events you are provided with soup & rolls, tea/coffee which gives you the opportunity to socialise with like minded people. Dromara Cycling Club also use the proceeds from these events to raise money for local charities.
Some new faces there as well. Hopefully they are as hooked as the rest of us.
Great course... just the right mix of tarmac and off road. 
Quiet roads and no hills. 
Well done Trevor and Martin. 