Over 200 riders, including those on quad bikes, braved adverse conditions to take on the rugged terrain of the Peak District during round four of the Dark and White Trailquest Winter League.
The orienteering event is open not only to all-terrain vehicles, but to mountain bikers and people on foot too. Before the race started, competitors were given the chance to scrutinise their maps, and consider their strategy to take on the fearsome Chapel Gate, an ancient horse track linking Chapel en le Frith and the Vale of Edale.
The weather for the day added an extra element to catch out the unwary; the freezing weather had made the course firm, but at higher altitudes, streams and pools of water had frozen, meaning that those on quad bikes had to be extra careful when applying the brakes or steering aggressively.
Planning a route for the event was as important as ever, with a total of 335 points up grabs, spread between 21 check points. Many riders and runners tried to plot a course that involved climbing as few hills as possible, but with a 30 point reward for the gruelling Chapel Hill climb, this was unavoidable. The organisers had also placed markers at all four corners of the map – cheap points for quad bikes to pick up, but not so for those on foot who tried to plan the most economic route possible.
In first place was Mark McPhillips, who finished with 344 points, missing a maximum score by just one. Second place went to Mark Stodgell, with a grand total of 325. First and second women back were Margaret McPhillips and Zoe.