Trailquest - Langdale winner at Whinlatter

11:47am Saturday 26th April 2008

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BEAUTIFUL but challenging terrain between Loweswater, Lorton and Whinlatter was the setting for the latest mountain-bike orienteering battle between Cumbria's top riders vying for honours in the Cross Cumbria Trailquest series.

There was an obvious big loop over Whinlatter, through Wythop Woods and Lorton - the question was whether to go clockwise or anti-clockwise. Those who correctly read the wind conditions and took it clockwise delivered the higher scores.

Despite the predominance of north and west Cumbrian riders among the prizes in this second event of the series, it was Langdale strong man Bryan Singleton who posted the highest score of the day - 463 from a potential 580.

Singleton took the veteran men's class and his nearest challenger was Graeme Hodgson from Cleator, whose 455 took the senior men's category from local Lorton rider Andy Williams on 405. Another local rider who is also an orienteer, Tony Brand-Barker, took the super veteran men category with 390, while the masters (men over 60) winner was Ray Morris from Windermere with an impressive 355.

Last year's series winner Emily Brooks from Keswick amassed the best woman's score with a fine 360. The veteran women's category went to Annette Morris from Gosforth, on 330, and the super veteran women to Ulverston's Anne Plant with 283.

The generation team class looks set to be dominated once again by Andy and Tim Crozier (343), from Lytham, with Angela and Chris Brand-Barker keeping it in the family by taking the mixed team class with 346. John Bardgett and Nic Davies from Penrith scored 350 to take the mixed veterans class.

The series returns to the north of the county when Keswick hosts the Trail Cyclists Association National Weekend, with a five hour Trailquest on May 17 and a three-hour event the following day.

For event information visit the Cross Cumbria website on www.crosscumbria.co.uk.