2011 HUMM details below:
Where is it held, and how do I get there? Ship your bike down and save the time and expense! Bike rentals now available in Spain! Reports from previous years' HUMMs (IF you have ALREADY registered and just want to pay, go here.) Discuss the 2011 HUMM on the HUBB here
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From the 2010 Pyrenees HUMM. Thanks to David Hodgson and Ashley Moule for video clips! |
There are THREE classes:
1 - Dual-sport off-road, all bikes over 645cc with off-road pretensions
2 - Dual-sport off-road, all bikes under 645cc with off-road pretensions
3 - Pavement only, anything will do
The 2010 system worked well, and everyone was happy with it, so it's the same for 2011. You will get your checkpoint books on 5 July for Session 1 (or 11 July for Session 2) at 11 am, and can ride from 1-6 pm that day if your team agrees, or spend the afternoon planning and preparing. 6-7 July (Session 1) and 12-13 July (Session 2) will be full days of riding (from 8 am - 6 pm). So, this effectively makes it a 2 1/2 day event. We highly recommend planning on at least one day after the event to ride the trails you missed! Stay on at the hotel, ride with others, and meet in the bar after :)
OFF-road HUMM: for dual-sports
Bikes need not be dedicated off-road specials but need to have a vague predilection for the dirt. So GS Adventure yes, Electric Glide in Blue, no. Knobbly tyres a plus but by no means essential.
Remember, two off-road classes, under 645 and over 645cc!
The mountain trails have been heavily reconnoitred and small metal plaques have been affixed in stunning locations. Each plaque bears a random string of six letters. Just like orienteering each team gets the same map and a checkpoint booklet on Day 1. Each checkpoint gets its own page upon which its location is clearly described. Teams must record certain letters from each plaque. Crucially, the booklet is not a roadbook. No two teams ever take the same routes, there is no course as such.
Austin Vince pointing out how easy to find the checkpoint markers are - they are NOT hidden.
Austin Vince and Lois Pryce laid the course.
After a full 2+ days of riding, some folks dash back home whilst others sedately spend a few more days visiting the checkpoints they didn’t get to during the event. In this way the HUMM is both a fun competition and a ready-to-go trail riding package.
ON-road HUMM: for all road bikes
Any road bike will do the ride, though Gold Wings and similar will need a good rider on a few of the roads due to extremely tight hairpins. Sports bikes will be fine too, with the same caveat. Many people on big "adventure" bikes also ride the On-Road class, as their bikes also work perfectly on the often tight Spanish roads.
The on-road HUMM is designed more for the 'stop and smell the roses' types, although it does get very competitive!
Enjoy the fabulous views in the Pyrenees
Just like orienteering each team gets a map in advance and a checkpoint booklet on Day 1 of the event! Crucially, the booklet is not a roadbook. No two teams ever take the same routes, there is no course as such.
Susan works on her map-reading skills!
We (Grant and Susan) have ridden just about every paved-ish road in the Spanish and French Pyrenees and Andorra, and selected the best for you. We have selected 40 checkpoints out of the 60+ available, and we have affixed a random letter somewhere around the checkpoint. Unlike the off-road version, the letters are NOT out in the open to reduce the risk that they will be removed between now and the event, but there is a picture in the book to clearly show where it is. If the letter is missing, just take a photo of the location, duplicating the photo in the booklet as best you can.
Each checkpoint has its own page upon which its location is clearly described. Teams must record the letter at each checkpoint, and occasionally answer a question which can only be answered from information at the checkpoint. There are bonus points in case of a tie.
Lots of nice restaurants to stop for lunch or coffee.
Note: Road teams MAY NOT go off-road voluntarily. If roadworks require a short detour, that's okay, riding off-road from Andorra to Spain is NOT okay. Violation of this rule will result in disqualification of the team.
You must pay attention, though - there are road hazards!
As with the Off-road event, we do NOT expect teams to be able to get to all the checkpoints in the 2 1/2 days. Stick around and spend a few more days visiting the checkpoints you didn’t get to during the event.
More great views in the Spanish Pyrenees.
Payment, prices etc
The fee includes:
- Map (one for each team)
- Event book (for each team):
-
example Event Book pages - Trophies for all members of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place teams in each class where there are sufficient entries.
HUMM trophy
- Certificate of completion for all finishers
- HUMM Commemorative synthetic riding t-shirt, £25 value and only available to participants.
- Buffet style awards dinner on last night.
- Welcome and end of day beer/soft drink.
- 2 and 1/2 days of superb riding in the Spanish Pyrenees!
- Breakdown and accident support:
HUMM Support Package, to retrieve you and your bike in case of breakdown or accident out on a trail or on the road. This service is provided by Loco for Motos, using trained mechanics and medical technicians who can provide first aid and medical evacuation to the nearest suitable facility.
The Support Package is INCLUDED in your entry fee, and includes:- Recovery to the hotel, workshop facilities and tools at the hotel (consumables must be paid for, if used)
- Medical Assistance - using Loco for Motos 4x4 vehicle and medical equipment, injured riders will be stabilised and recovered to the nearest suitable facility for medical care where feasible. Their bike will be recovered to the hotel should they be unable to ride.
- Note: 4 bikes had to be retrieved in 2009, and the retrieval cost can easily be £400, so we think that this is a very valuable service.
Fee schedule:
The HUMM 2011 event registration fee is payable in full by end May (if space still available).
- Book and pay in full between March 1 to end May, price is £199 (PLUS hotel deposit if applicable)
- Book and pay in full between June 1 to July 1, price is £279 (PLUS hotel deposit if applicable) and NO t-shirt, sorry it's too late, they're all ordered. Hotel space MAY be available. You will probably get a photocopied booklet and map!
No refunds after May 30. (unless we cancel)
Important: Registration closes when we are FULL!
And yes, we will REMOVE the registration form and post a note when we're full and registration is closed.
Refunds
If you must cancel, please notify us before May 30, 2011, and we will refund your deposit less a £25 fee for administration and to cover PayPal charges. AFTER May 30, 2011, there will be no refunds. Substitutions will be allowed, but the substitute must register online, and comment that they are substituting for you, and you need to confirm it.
2011 HUMM Accommodation:
The Riberies is FULL for July 5-7!
We have additional rooms already reserved at a good hotel 8.4 km away. See below.
Riberies Hotel details
For 2011 we have negotiated a great rate for the entire 4 star Riberies Hotel.
There are TWO room styles:
| Room Style: | All rooms have safes, tv, telephone, wi-fi, minibar, hair dryer. | Price per person per night |
| Comfort | air-conditioned | €61 |
| Rustic | NOT air-conditioned, slightly smaller, and furnished in a more "rustic" style, but are still very nice rooms. | €49 |
The rate includes room and cooked breakfast. And it's the best breakfast in Spain, and depending on your tastes, possibly Europe!
Dinners can be purchased at €12 each from the hotel when you check in. A la carte is more. Note: Your awards buffet dinner on the last night is included in your event price.
We have reserved the entire hotel for the 5-7th July, and 11-13 July. If you wish to arrive early, and stay on extra nights afterwards, the per person per night rate is the same, just note the dates you want in the Comments field on the registration form and we will reserve them for you.
If you check, you will find this is a very good price for this class of hotel with facilities - pool, spa, etc. If you are on a tight budget, we understand, and there are other slightly cheaper hotels in town and camping 5 minutes walk away.
Please do keep in mind that it is important that we fill the hotel so that we can take over the garage for bike prep / repairs and all the common areas for planning, not to mention the bar and restaurant for the after-riding festivities! If half the participants decide to stay at another hotel or hostel to save a few quid, and therefore half the hotel is filled with non-participants, it will detract hugely from the whole event and we won't get the garage.
There is a deposit required of £50 on the hotel, which we will pay directly to the hotel. Thus, when you check out you are responsible for paying the hotel the balance, plus dinners, bar bill and any other charges, e.g. massage services.
Note that the price we quote above is exactly the price we pay to the hotel.
Want to come early or stay late? We have a great deal.
Hotel Address and contact details:
Camí de Riberies, 25595 Llavorsí, Spain
Tel. +34 973 622 051
Fax. +34 973 622 231
Alternate Hotel choice, the Hotel Castellarnau:
We have PREBOOKED rooms at the Hotel Castellarnau and the Hotel de Rei, and we'll book you in. When you register you can make your choice of rooms.
Hotel Castellarnau in Escalo (approx 8 km north from Lllavorsi). (map)
We've stayed at the Castellarnau in the past to make sure we can recommend it. Our review - nice location, quiet, large parking area, bikes can be parked out of sight of the road. Outdoor pool and very pleasant grounds and garden. Rooms are medium quality, clean, fair Spanish meals, breakfast poor compared to the Riberies, but there's enough. (The Riberies DOES have the best breakfast in Spain!)
Be sure to confirm WHICH meals you want on check-in!
http://www.hotelderei.com/ is a small hotel in town, we think it's not quite as good as the Castellarnau, but it's fine, and a two minute ride or 10 minute walk away from the Riberies where we're based.
Camping
There is a campground a few hundred meters from the Riberies. You drive right past it on the way to the Hotel!
Getting there:
You can ride, or drive down in a van/whatever carrying your bikes, or fly to Toulouse or Barcelona or Girona and rent a car - or the real slow way, take a bus, but it's not recommended. Ferries run from UK to Santander and Bilbao, then it's an easy day's ride to Llavorsi.
Coming from the UK: Don't forget you can get there on a ferry - no need to ride all the way through France, relax and take a cruise. There's two easy options, Plymouth to Bilbao or Portsmouth to Santander, plus a few to France, farther south than Dover.
There is also a train, but it's more expensive, Calais to Toulouse. Train - Calais to Toulouse, an alternate is the RailEurope train, see "French Motorail destinations en route to Narbonne" and "Narbonne Inbound Prices". A car and passengers with sleeper for the Sat 18th July 09 to Toulouse train = £490 in 2010.
Here's a map for the Riberies Hotel, Llavorsi.
Ship your bike down
Nothing currently available. You may be able to team with someone else who is going - let us know if you'd like to arrange something or have space available to share expenses.
Bike Rentals - Loco for Motos
We've arranged with Tim Skilton of LocoForMotos to have hire bikes available, but you MUST book with them well in advance. Bikes are all Spanish registered and have Spanish insurance and ITV (MOT) where necessary regarding age.
For 2011, bikes are available in three size categories, and the price per day drops if you rent for more than 2 days. Insurance and 3 hours of off-road tuition is included with the rental. Click below for details.
NOTE: There are NO rental bikes left for Session 1, July 5-7 event, but there are some left for Session 2, July 11-13 event. Be sure to tell them which dates you want!
We've arranged with Tim Skilton of LocoForMotos (yes they speak English!) to have hire bikes available, but you MUST book with them well in advance. Bikes are all Spanish registered and have Spanish insurance and ITV (MOT) where necessary regarding age.
There will be at least one extra rental bike in case of a breakdown, but no guarantees it won't be taken quickly!
For 2011, bikes are available in three size categories as follows:
| Category A | Category B | Category C |
| KTM 450 EXCR Enduro | Yamaha 660 Tenere | BMW GS 1200 |
| KTM 690 Super Enduro | BMW GS 650 | BMW HP2 (Enduro Spec) |
| BMW 450X Enduro | ||
| BMW 650 X-Challenge |
Rental prices are as follows:
| # of Days Rental | Category A | Category B | Category C |
| 2 days | €175 euros per day | €175 euros per day | €195 euros per day |
| 3 days | €170 euros per day | €170 euros per day | €190 euros per day |
| 4 days | €165 euros per day | €165 euros per day | €185 euros per day |
| 5 + days | €160 euros per day | €160 euros per day | €180 euros per day |
Included in the rental price:
- Insurance
- bike supplied with suitable tyres and prepared for the event as if for a two and a half day enduro (just as you would do if it were your bike).
- All enduro's are supplied with mousses, so no punctures! (Or HD tubes if you prefer for more highway use).
- Off-road tuition - 3 hours of off-road tuition (in a group) is included with the rental.
LocoForMotos will be there to support the bikes, but damage repair(s) and replacement parts are chargeable. LocoForMotos will have a spare bike of each type to cover all eventualities.
Credit card deposit of €500 euros (returnable) for the two and a half days for any incurred damages is required, on top of the hire price.
Additional (Optional): €25 euros per day
- Enduro clothing: Boots 43-47/ 9-12/13 (although we recommend using your own for size and fit)
- Knee protection
- Riding trousers
- Body protection (back, elbow, shoulder, chest with kidney support)
- Riding shirt
- Helmet (although we recommend using your own for size and fit)
- Goggles
- Gloves
The bikes will be there on the 25th and available for set up in the afternoon/evening. The bikes leave on the 1st August, in the morning.
Deposit and Payment
LocoForMotos need a 30% deposit to secure the hire of the bike.
The hire must be paid in full by May 30, 2011 in line with the event policy.
Cancellation
Notify Loco for Motos before May 30, 2011, and they will refund your deposit less a 20 euro fee for administration. AFTER May 30, 2011, there will be no refunds. Substitutions will be allowed, and the hirer(s) will need to confirm it.
Loco for Motos Tyre Changing and Supply Service:
- €20 euros for one, €15 euros for two at the same time (front and rear). Both with owner's tyres.
- Tim will bring tyres for you if you wish! Just contact him and let him know what you want. Good prices.
Off-road tuition (Rider Training)
"Coach" Ramey Stroud will give a free talk on riding skills! Coach is one of the very best off-road riding instructors and you don't want to miss it. His talk will be on the day before we ride, (both events) in the morning.
Body Mechanics for the Long Haul - More Control, Less Stress.
There will be a lecture first for an hour, then a short break followed by one hour of hands-on static practice in the parking area.
After each days ride, Coach will have a round table discussion in the evening to talk about any problems or questions that may have come up during the day.
Tim Skilton of Loco for Motors will be running 3 hours of off-road tuition on July 4 (Session 1) and July 10 (Session 2) - groups of up to 10 riders. The tuition is included with the rental, but available to all participants. Price depends on whether you're on your own bike or wish Loco for Motos to supply a bike for the training. Click below for more details.
With Tim Skilton - July 4 (Session 1)
| 3 hours of tuition in a group (maximum of 10 riders) | Price |
|
€45 euros |
|
€110 euros |
|
Free service |
Package includes:
- Training at a suitable site not too far from the hotel
- Soft drinks and snacks
- Assistance with tools
- Medical assistance should it be necessary
Rules of the event:
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You must ride in a team of 2, to a maximum of 6 people, (minimum two bikes) so be sure to put together your team before registering as we need the names of all team members. If you cannot find someone to team with, go ahead and register for the event, note that you do not have a team partner, and we will match you with someone with a similar bike and riding skill level as best we can. (2007 and 2009 winners, and second place 2010 were matched up by us!)
- Three classes:
- Under 645cc off-road
- Over 645cc off-road
- Road, all sizes
- Mixed off-road teams have the good and bad of each class to deal with, so can choose which class to be in.
- Three classes:
- Two-up teams are ok, but there must be another bike in your team. We don't want solo bikes out alone. If we have enough two-up registrations we will have a two-up class. Sidecars, quads - two vehicles in a team!
- No GPS allowed! You CAN carry a GPS or Smart phone for emergency use, but it will be SEALED in a black plastic bag, and if the bag is opened, you are disqualified. "Dumb" phones with no GPS capability will not be sealed, so you may wish to carry one for non-emergency use.
- Start / Finish Time: First day, 11AM briefing, ride from 1PM, 6 PM finish, other days 8AM to 6PM (0800-1800)
- Team mates must ride together at all times! If you separate for any reason other than one bike is broken down and stopped or one rider is injured, and the other rider is going for help, you will be disqualified.
- Obtaining checkpoint info from another team is grounds for disqualification. In the event of a dispute or challenge, a digital photo of all team members at a checkpoint will be required to verify the team has been to the checkpoint.
- Each checkpoint has a points value in direct proportion to how far it is from the hotel, with a few points values tweaked for difficulty. The HUMM is all about spending two and a half days navigating your way around the mountains visiting plaques and seeing as much great scenery as possible.
- Booklets with all the check points will be handed out to you at 11AM on Day One, at the event! You can ride from 1-6 pm on Day One if you want, or use your time planning your route and preparing your bike. There is loads of room to do your planning. We expect this will put everyone on an equal footing technology wise and get it back to the original idea of a planning and mapping exercise - but most importantly, a fun ride!
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The score sheets are collected after each day's ride, and the scores of points collected thus far are published. On the last morning plenty of teams are more motivated than ever to have a fruitful day and get that map-reading spot on! On the final evening the booklets are collected for the final time, points totalled and the winners announced and trophies handed out at the HUMM Awards Dinner.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Grant & Susan
2010 Event Report
The Fourth annual HU Mountain Madness once again met with rave reviews!
The weather co-operated beautifully for riding the 4th annual HUMM in the Spanish Pyrenees. Thirty-one teams participated in two off-road classes:
| Position | UNDER 645CC |
Day 1+2 Score |
Day 3 Score |
Final Score |
|
| 1 | Mushman Candidates Trent Whitta Peter Baird |
1771 | 843 | 2614 | Gold |
| 2 | Allied Force Paul Castle James Folaron |
1257 | 716 | 1973 | Silver |
| 3 | Furieux 00 David Shield Pieter Jellema Nick Stevens |
617 | 859 | 1476 | Bronze |
| 4 | UNDER CONSTRUCTION Michael Jankowic Rene Rösler |
884 | 451 | 1335 | Bronze |
| 5 | Furieux 01 David Haines Colin Pearson |
205 | 871 | 1076 | |
| 6 | NO name but READY Stephen Bray Arthur Gunning |
917 | -128 | 798 | |
| 7 | Brat Pack John Erwin Tony Hemming |
287 | 384 | 671 | |
| 8 | Rodge and Podge Niall Connolly Fergus Connolly |
525 | 0 | 525 | |
| 9 | REVS Stephen Nash David Mayor |
220 | 283 | 503 | |
| 10 | Crash Burn Regret Steve Baden Dave Williams |
218 | 244 | 462 | |
| 11 | Pants Nick Evans Rachel Broido |
250 | 208 | 458 | |
| 12 | Achaphubuil Eejits Mark Barnett David Critchell Tim Critchell Liam Elder |
324 | 127 | 451 | |
| 13 | bsg Geoffrey Brock Matthew Turner |
283 | 77 | 360 | |
| 14 | O,bile Richard Polley Patrick Rogers Tim Rogers |
142 | -4 | 138 | |
| Position | OVER 645CC |
Day 1+2 Score | Day 3 Score | Final Score | |
| 1 | Double Vision Dave Austen Bill Sterry |
1016 | 845 | 1861 | Gold |
| 2 | Marmot Lee Read Alistair Clarke |
971 | 645 | 1616 | Gold |
| 3 | LoddonVale Russ Olivant Caroline Everett Scott Nettleton Tony King Dave King |
1003 | 205 | 1208 | Silver |
| 4 | Lost Lars Hoejberg Charles Fleming |
558 | 380 | 938 | Bronze |
| 5 | Dirty Holidays John Lidbetter Ashley Moule |
895 | 0 | 895 | |
| 6 | Dracones Philip Jones Michael Thompson Phillip Ellis-Jones |
344 | 472 | 816 | |
| 7 | Bickering Micael Johansson Hans Jansson Henrik Karlsson |
154 | 656 | 810 | |
| 8 | Bitching, Moaning, Whining Henriette Thiim Gerry O Boyle Peter Willmington |
203 | 599 | 802 | |
| 9 | X-Rated Iain Ross Nick Rawlinson |
423 | 166 | 589 | |
| 10 | San Miguel Sara Packer Stephen Brewer |
197 | 283 | 480 | |
| 11 | Minted Tony Wright Sean Scollay Debbie West |
296 | 96 | 392 | |
| 12 | PTLTP David Hodgson Nathan Jackaman |
145 | 172 | 317 | |
| 13 | Mince Jon Balderson Mike Pringuer |
255 | 57 | 312 |
Gold scores (within 15% of the winners score)
Silver (within 30% of the winners score)
Bronze (within 50% of the winners score)
Finishers: below 50% and finished!
Spirit of the HUMM Award went to Team Rodge and Podge: Niall Connolly and Fergus Connolly, for spending hours on the road helping a fellow competitor, arriving well after dark as a result, yet for the first time in three years, actually finishing - although hours late!
And for various reasons, mostly mechanical, there were a number of DNF's! Better luck next year, guys!
Tim Skilton of Loco For Motos, our official HUMM Support, spent most of day 2 and 3 on the trail somewhere, not sure quite where, and neither is he ;) dragging bikes out of the bushes and fixing a variety of mechanical problems!
2009 Event Report
The third annual HU Mountain Madness event is over, and once again met with rave reviews!
The weather co-operated beautifully for riding the 3rd annual HUMM in the Spanish Pyrenees. Over 40 teams participated in three classes:
Off-road Over 645cc
- First Place - Iain Woolley (Africa Twin) and Ian Chappel (BMW R1200GS) reclaimed their title and top score overall - congrats!
- Second Place - newbies Paul (BMW R1200GS) and Hans Jorgen Ostergaard (BMW R1200GS) (Team Viking)
- Third Place - Charles Fleming, Jon Boella and Mathieu Preveraud (Charlie's Angels)
Off-road Under 645cc
- First Place - James de Ville, Trent Whitta and Peter Baird - the Mushman Candidates retained their Team #40 from last year so they didn't have to repaint their bikes! Well done, guys!
- Second Place - Bernard McKevitt and Peter Ferris (Pog Mo Thoin)
- Third Place - Dave Austen and Linda Hughes
Paved Road
- First Place - David Pointer, Gary Smith and Matt Pope
- Second Place - Steve and James Grant
Gold scores (within 15% of the winners score):
Iain Woolley, Ian Chappel, Paul Østergaard, Hans Jørgen Østergaard, James de Ville, Trent Whitta, Peter Baird, Bernard McKevitt, Peter Ferris, David Austen, Linda Hughes, David Pointer, Gary Smith, Matt Pope
Silver (within 30% of the winners score):
Charles Fleming, Jon Boella, Mathieu Preveraud, John Loader, Brian Turner, Hamish Oag, Ed Scrivener, Ashley Bryan, Alfred Mansfield, Stuart Macfarlane, Deborah Seed, Les Butler, Steve Grant, James Grant
Bronze (within 50% of the winners score):
David Evershed, Hilary Smith, John McComb, Jane Cavell, Vanessa van Wyk, Chris Milne, Michael Pocock, Lionel Cox, Grace Hagan, Martin Ashby, Jeremy Ashby, Nick White, Nicholas Bridger, Stephen Jones, Peter Howell, Simon Jordan, Steve Summers, Tony Weeks
Finishers:
Philip Wright, Mel Jordan, Jon Balderson, Mike Pringuer, Warren Murray, Etienne Van Wyk, Richard Shine, Iain Patterson, Debbie Simpson, John Wright, Aurelien Kamel, Nick Minutello, Ron Hall, Michael Hargreaves, Wolf & Jan Rost, Kevin & Suzy White, Rocket the dog, Geoff Harvey, Sarah O'Connor, Tony Hemming, Anne Anderson, Matthew Anderson, David Haines, David Shield, Stephen Wain, Ian Fews, Rob Wallis, Niall Connolly, Fergus Connolly, Louise Tovey, Fraser Drake, Neil Kelsey, Kerry Farmer, Mark Sweetman, Steve Farmer, Mike Strawford, Philip Tearle, Rob Strawford, Darran Bree, Richard Mollet, Greg Veit, Lee Bolding
And for various reasons, mostly mechanical, there were a number of DNF's and even a few DNS's too!
See Team Garage Night's video of the event
More comments:
"First time to the event for me. Thought it was fantastic."
"With riding in Europe I find it difficult to know which dirt roads are public - I love the fact that someone has marked out publicly rideable but challenging roads that can be undertaking legally (despite occasional cow-herding locals bailing up riders and whacking them with sticks!)."
"Thanks so much for organising the HUMM again this year, we had a brilliant time."
"The location was great, the Hotel's facilities were good too (especially the spa). The people taking part were great fun - such a diverse crowd."
"First time I've ever done anything like this and was lots of fun. Will be back for the next one."
"Thanks for all your efforts in organising such a great event, I still can't stop smiling!"
2008 Event Report
...a two-day dual-sport off-road motorcycle orienteering event in the Pyrenees.
The second annual HU Mountain Madness event is over, and once again met with rave reviews!
On-Road HUMM results:
David Pointer, Gary Smith and Matt Pope cleaned up on the road, hitting every checkpoint and bonus mark, missing a perfect score because they came in late on Day One. The cruiser riding team of Paul Myers and Vanessa and Rowanna Greenhough were a strong second with good scores.Off-road HUMM results: (max possible score 5350)
Kevin Priest (R1200GS) and Alistair Lindop (F650GS) topped the charts off-road with a score of 3,118, after also leading on Day One with a score of 2,091.
Peter Baird (KTM 950), James deVille (KTM640) and Trent Whitta were a very close second with 3,079 points.
The "Two Ians" Ian Chappel; (R1200 GSA) and Iain Woolley (Africa Twin), last years champions, met with trouble on Day One, and were behind in points, but vowed to make it up on Day Two - and almost did, finishing a very close third with 3036 points. If they hadn't been late in on Day one, incurring a 100 point penalty, they would have won again! They're plotting a return to mastery in 09!
Jon Balderson (F650GS) and Mark Bell (XRV750) finished a very close fourth, with 3027 points, coming from way behind on Day One to end up with the highest Day Two score.
The top 4 teams were separated by a mere 91 points out of 3000 - 3% - so an incredibly close finish!
The top riders all had well-prepared maps, with many ingenious solutions to make it easy and clear to read their route.
Gold scores (within 15% of the winners score):
Kevin Priest, Alistair Lindop, Peter Baird, James deVille, Trent Whitta, Iain Woolley, Ian Chappel, Jon Balderson, Mark Bell, Cheyne Bunnett, Tony Johnston, Michael McGee, Richard Colquhoun, Neil Smith, Nigel Jeffery
Silver (within 30% of the winners score):
Brian Turner, John Loader, Mark Bart, Jane Keats, Bernard McKevitt, Robert Quinlan, Simon Jarvis, Simon Titterton
Bronze (within 50% of the winners score):
John and Graham Bird, Barry Nash John Lidbetter, Ashley Moule Adrian Sant, Jon Homfray Wayne Darcy, Mike Condliffe Philip Jones, Phillip Ellis-Jones Michael Austin, Colin Campbell
Finishers:
Lionel Cox, Grace Hagan, Paul Cordle, Mat Wilkinson, Tony and Theresa Hemmings, Geoff Harvey, Sarah O'Connor, Matt and Anne Anderson, Simon Jordan, Andy Oakes, Steve Summers, Dave Austen, Linda Hughes, Bill Sterry, Tim Cullis, Martin Clark, Nick Smith, Steve Brazier, Paul and Annie Clayton, Conrad and Mandy Witan and Suzie in the sidecar, John Nowell, Arnaud Stephenson, Murray Briggs, Paul McCluskey, Michael Pocock, Paul Atherton, Russell Francis, Martyn Brett, Matthew Hough.
And for various reasons, mostly mechanical, there were a number of DNF's and even a few DNS's too!
2007 Event Report
...a two-day dual-sport off-road motorcycle orienteering event in the Pyrenees.
The first annual HU Mountain Madness event is now over - and if you weren't there, you'd better plan on being there next year!
Why? Because it was fantastic!
Comments ranged from "Best riding day ever" to "Awesome" and "Absolutely amazing!"
Twenty-three hours of riding in the beautiful mountain trails of the Pyrenees, hunting for elusive marker points and bagging mile after mile of fun trails, with fantastic mountain views, left some of the riders in such awe of the place that they spent more time looking at the scenery than they did bagging points!
The "Two Ians" Ian Chappel; R 1200 GSA, and Iain Woolley; Africa Twin had never even met before the event, and live a hundred miles apart. They were teamed up by the organisers, and proved a killer combination - one Ian planned the route for the East half of the map, the other for the west half, and swapped navigation duties on the second day.
Coming in two and a half hours early (!) on Sunday, with Ian on a flat rear tire for the last ten miles, they were asked by Susan if they had a problem, "No, we've done it."
"What do you mean?" questioned Susan.
"We got them all, every point," said Iain.
And so they had - they hit every checkpoint, which layout man Austin Vince swore before the event was impossible - and they came in early for a beer at the bar to show their absolute domination of the event. They also proved the lie in Austin's words that a "proper trailbike" was the best way to ride the event, both riding big bikes to crush the opposition under their wheels.
Second place and the 'machismo (or is it spelled masochism?) award' went to Team Lamsdale, Gary Lamsdale;DR350, and Roger Lamsdale; XT350. Gary rode the whole weekend with a massive toothache that required a trip to the hospital after the finish Sunday night, and a trip to the dentist on Monday morning for emergency work. He said: "It got bad at altitude, so coming down to where it just hurt felt good". They also packed their two bikes into a Kangoo van - absolutely chockers, with both wheels off the whole lot fit just nicely! At 994 points, they thought they were in with a chance for the win, but Team 'Two Ians' shocked everyone.
Third place went to Team BJ, Brian Turner; Yamaha XT660R and John Loader; BMW F650GS. Early and very strong leaders at the end of Day One, they demoralised the opposition with a massive points score, well ahead of second place team. However, it seems they cracked under the pressure on day two, navigation skills suffered, and they came in with 970 points.
In fourth, Team Marsden, Rupert Marsden; R1100GS, Jeremy Jameson; F650GS, and Mario Agius, on an XT600, with 807 points. Their score may have been higher had Rupert not been riding one handed at speed while filming with his left hand. Next year he's coming back with a helmet cam!
In 5th place was Team Priest, Kevin Priest;CCM, Sabina Shread (on her brand new Yamaha TT250 AND on her FIRST day of off-road riding - she did VERY well - and was very proud of only falling off twice on the second day, bettering the four times on the first day) and Lee Bolding;KTM 525MXC. Extra prayers didn't help them to a win, but they did end up with a strong 767 points. They also rode down a particularly gnarly trail that another team struggled to get up - and swore that you'd have to be crazy to go down!
Next up was Team Mitchell, Gary Mitchell; R1200GS, Tony Jeffery; KTM950, Ashley and Deborah Simpkin both on KLE500's, with 539 points. At the end of the second day Debbie was the only one that came up smelling like a rose - she hit the showers while the rest of her team chose to hit the bar.
One team that prioritised scenery over points was Team Avery. Kevin Avery; R1150GS, James Dee; R1200GSA, (who got some quick off-road tips for his first off-road riding ever on the Friday!) and Gordon Sargeant; KTM640 Adventure came in last place with a total of 272 points out of a possible 1085. They were last off the mark both days too, but they were also the "most improved Team" from Saturday to Sunday! There's talk of an Avery award for next year's last place team ;-)
The Lamsdale's second on 350's also showed that it really didn't matter what you rode - preparation, planning and determination were all key. The top riders all had well-prepared maps, with many ingenious solutions to make it easy and clear to read their route.
When the competitors were asked what they thought of the event, the general sentiment was; "We'll be back! I can't believe all the trails and how good they are - it's just amazing! WELL worth the trip down!"
