Christmas MTB Trail Quest 2017

Like the weather, our memories of this years event are as fresh as they can be and hence no better time to complete the eagerly awaited TQ Blog. As usual, we'd like to emphasise that this Blog is not so much to publicise the absolutely non-controverisal results but to acknowledge the spirit of all those that took part!

For those not familiar with Trail Questing, it's simply Orienteering on a bike, though, as many discovered today, the word 'simply', or 'orienteering' or even 'bike' for that matter doesn't really do it justice. What started out as a fun day on the Castlewellan MTB Trails, providing something new and different for regular riders as well as encouraging those not so familiar, has turned into quite a big event of which we're now in our 4th or possibly 5th year... we still haven't worked that out!

This year, the conditions were perfectly wintery, cold yet dry with a stunning winter sun, as we welcomed 150 competitors of all ages, abilities and dress sense, not too mention the many new bikes, to the Castlewellan Trails. Yet again, as per year on year, this was a record turnout with a range of both old and new faces alike, some returning challengers and some completely new to the scene. After an exceptionally busy registration and briefing completed the competitors were off, all with a sense of purpose and some with a sense of direction!

A few changes this year, seen the 'Open' category take a much different format to previous years and as planned, opened up the comptetition from the outset, while the 'Family' category remained unchanged but as competitive as ever! While some competitors paced themselves, pulling up chairs, reading the rules, laying out maps and strategising, others were already picking fights with the many possible climbs of the day. As with every year, there's no doubt that everyone gave it their absolute all and pushed themselves to and beyond their limits.

At the end of the event, when all was taken into consideration, points, time, penalties etc the overall 'Open' title previously held by Horse & Hound for two years running was brought to an end by Postman Pat who delivered a first class performance! Pat was followed in 2nd place by the eperienced Horse & Hound' loosing out on time penalties' with local TQ veterans Well Stuffed taking 3rd place - a very competitive category as always and potentially more so with this years change of format.

As already mentioned. the 'Family' category was no less competitive with the top three positions exceptionally close with a joint 1st place  for Team Toby and Spoke In Four, clearly demonstrating their experience in the field! The joint 1st's were followed closely in 2nd place by local entry Team Hodge with the Mumen Riders coming a very respectable 3rd place. - some fantatsic performances by both Senior and in particular, Junior riders here with future challengers for the Open category!

As usual, all competitors were clearly impressive but the level and standard of kids participating still stands out... So to wrap it up for another year, a mighty well done to all that competed in this years event and we'll look forward to seeing you for a bigger an better TQ in December 2018!

Enjoy the Castlewellan Trails, Our Trail Head Facilities or Our Event? Please take time to vote for us NOW in this years MountainBikeNI Awards CLICK HERE  we'd really really appreciate it!

Results Open Category

1. Postman Pat
2. Horse & Hound
3. Well Stuffed
4. Two Buck Eejits
5. Andy Beavis
6. Rowan McMahon
7. Twisted & Grumpy
8. Newcastle Scouts
9. Team Granny Ring
10. Lyttle Hope
11. Liam Smyth
12. Home & Away
13. Penny Farthings
14. Only Me!
15. Jim Craig
16. NI Explorer
17. Integrity
18. 2 Smarties & A Tube
19. Up Not Down
20. Dumb & Dumber
21. Rachel McKendry
22. Grizzly Bears 2
23. Geezor’s
24. Jan Boyd
25. David Richardson

Results Family Category

1. Team Toby/Spoke In Four
2. Team Hodge
3. Mumen Riders
4. Kilmegan VC
5. Team McVeigh
6. The Baltics
7. Sean McKeown
8. Spiky
9. The Wright Team
10. Daniel Forbes
11. Team Hodge #2
12. Darren Morgan
13. Team Taco
14. Team McAlinden
15. Brufen Paddy
16. Maria McNulty
17. Barney Cunningham
18. Colin Moore
19. McMillans Maurauders
20. The 3 Wheelers