What's the deal with the quiz / clues? Looking over the rules / last years entry list and it mentions these but I don't know what their purpose is... considering all of the checkpoints are given out two weeks before.
*confused*
It's mostly Highway Code stuff. Nothing too stretching but I have to say I did not do at all well last year. V.poor score which was embarasing!
Sat Nav's are fine but it's much more fun and satisfying (unless it all goes Pete Tong) going analogue. I wrote this up for them about last years for the magazine. I don't think they will mindmyposting ity on here:-
It’s been a good few years since I’ve been involved in a SAM event and a good few more since my name graced the exalted pages of Full Chat (if I get passed the Editor!). The SWPR was the catalyst and The Com holds the blame. An invitation aimed at the national RoSPA membership saw a cheque for the entrance fee sent off pronto. It was obvious that a great deal of organisation and commitment had gone into the inaugural event and all those involved should be congratulated on what was, for this rider, a thoroughly enjoyable day, I would be glad to take part again should the invitation to join in be repeated.
I have done the National and Welsh on several occasions and know that a successful day depends on some homework, planning the route and deciding what can be done and just as importantly, what can’t. I knew 15 unmanned controls was quite do-able, 20 achievable and 22-23 with luck, so that was the target. The controls were cleverly located and to get round with the minimum of doubling back required some thought especially as there were some that were a must, like St Mawes that is a favourite haunt of mine, but a bit out on a limb.
The route was going to be from V&J [Bridgwater], across Exmoor to Hatherliegh and Torrington then up to Bideford for the first stop, down the north coast and across to St M., Charlestown, Bolventor, then over Dartmoor ending up in Culmstock. I would have liked to go further down but it’s a long way back from deepest Cornwall and I had family commitments on the Sunday and a late finish wasn’t really on.
Now, I pride myself on knowing my way round these parts fairly well, so it came as a bit of a surprise to find myself “miss-placed”, shall we say, on the road between N. Stowey and Crowcombe! Hellfire. What I thought I was doing I’ll never know and I hadn’t got to the second control, yet. Normal service was resumed, double quick, and after a good run round I was in Bideford with 9 controls done and a pasty consumed from a familiar baking establishment just up from the bank. Bideford is one of the few places left where the town quay is still used for unloading coasters. Cranes are parked up on the pavement and they just get on with it.
Five controls later and I was in St Mawes for lunch (familiar pattern emerging) followed by a snooze in the sun on the grass by Lanvawseth Castle, which is one of a pair built by Henry VIII, Pendennis being the other across Carrick Roads on the Falmouth side of the estuary. Sadly, this indulgence couldn’t last; things to do, places to go.
The manned control location sheet clearly said, The Harbourside Inn, Charlestown. I went there. Nobody. I went in. It was a bit posh. “We don’t serve bikers in ‘ere.” It was a statement of fact, and an invitation to leave. “What? There’s a bit of a rally on and you’re a control”, I protested. His face said “bugger off“, so I did, just across the road to where 4 square riggers were berthed in between filming and sail training duties. More indulgence. Whilst looking at the rigging, I saw a man waiving his arms about further up the harbour wall and clearly in some sort of distress. It looked like he was trying to attract my attention. There were some bikes over there as well. Clang! Penny dropped loudly. Now, if the instructions said “find a bloomin’ great anchor and we’ll be there”…….never mind.
Bolventor was next (what, no mushrooms on toast?), then Milton Abbott. I left out Lydford as the resulting dog leg would have cost too much time and went straight to Princetown (isn’t it grey?), produced my get out of jail card, did not collect £200 and rode over the moor to Bovey Tracey, 5 more done and all 3 manned. I have to admit to a mischievous thought here. I did consider removing two of the stones from the top of the pile on the roundabout in attempt to queer the clues but it wouldn’t have been very subtle, and besides which two more participants turned up just in time to prevent a return trip to Princetown at Her Majesty’s pleasure.
I finished with Bickleigh and Culmstock. Mrs Bridges and I nearly bought a house in Culmstock and have eaten at the Culm Valley Inn. Recommended.
So was Sue’s chilli, served up at the finish. Perfect.
It was good to catch up with old friends and although I’ve been a bit low profile of late, I haven’t turned my toes up quite yet, Peter!
Look forward to next time.
Fluffy Bridges.
(On the bike front, Helga the K12 went to a new home in Verwood, two years ago. I’d had her 10 years before the urge to trade her in for a younger model proved irresistible. The GSA is a different ball game altogether but a belting bit of kit just the same. The Guzzi is now 14 and in fine form. Matt and Tim will remember the 441 Victor, now replaced by a Tiger 100 Metisse for those dirty weekends!)
. Still OK for the 14th/03 thro 
.
