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TRAILPLUS WEEKEND 20-22nd July 2001

FOREST OF DEAN IN GLOUCESTERSHIRE

INTRODUCTORY CAMP TO ADVENTURE RACING

Diary of attendees Wendy Davies/Windle Valley Runners, Andrea Watson/Datchet Dashers & Berks Tri Squad and Sian Watkin/Burnham Joggers/Berks Tri Squad. 

Fri 20th - Arrive in pouring rain Friday evening after a very busy week for all of us but then we're not ones for letting the grass grow under our feet - are we?!

A very warm welcome from the Trailplus Team:

Keith Anderson (chef) Nick Ian Mike and Dave (Chef’s helpers)

There are 23 booked on the camp, a mixture of backgrounds, interests and reasons for going.  All apprehensive about what the weekend holds.

The Field Centre is based in Parkend in a valley of the Field of Dean which is blissful - mobile phones are signal-less so a whole weekend without mobile phones-Wendy’s cup of tea straight away!

First evening is spent with introductions in the common room and then down to the dining area for some excellent home cooked Lasagne, garlic bread and apple crumble, all helped down with bottles of Bud Ice.  Very friendly and relaxed atmosphere already.  Short brief about itinerary for Saturday morning before going out to local pub.  Itinerary going like this:-

7am 5k ish warm up jog

8am Breakfast Buffet

9am Brief and depart on bikes for Mallards Pike

That's enough brief because the pub was beckoning.  Meet young group from Milton Keynes, all working for Jaguar, preparing for the Jaguar Challenge.  Sounds like a good company to work for!  We decide to retire before them.  In hindsight, a very smart move.

Retire to our bunks-after making them up-have discussion about what kit to wear, what kit to take and decide to take as much as we can fit in our rucksacks just in case...plus family bag of Jelly Babies.

Sat 21st July.  6.30am alarm call.  We did not look keen and we certainly did not feel keen but having paid our money....... on with the kit.  Jog is organised by very friendly and knowledgeable Nick.  Pretty little run loop, not to tax us too much, back for stretching, and straight in for heaps of breakfast.  Keith being a chef means great food and lots of it.  No time for showers - just change and straight on our bikes for 5K cycle ride to lake.  On arrival split into 4 groups.  Day will be split into 4 sections, each group will spend one and a half hours on learning to read maps/navigate and fell running techniques, mountain bike techniques, canoeing and abseiling.

Apprehensive - no, not us.  Just so long as we get lunch!

First up for our group is the orienteering section.  This really worries Wendy, wonder why! She might get to where she's going but getting back-no chance.  Sian is concerned about not being able to keep up but shows us all her doubts are nothing to worry about.  We get to know other members of our party, all very friendly, all out to enjoy the weekend and not to be too serious.  Thank goodness for that.  Countryside is wonderful, weather is kind, not hot, not cold and more importantly, not bloody wet. 

After trying to work out where we are, Keith shows us how to get up and down hill (vertical slopes in our case) with most economy and speed.  We all pay great attention and have a lot of fun practising.

Next up-canoeing with Dave and Matt.  3 in a boat so we decide to scramble in together.  Can we do this? yes we can.  Can we steer......no we can't!  Instructor Matt patiently tries to help Andrea and Sian while Wendy sits in front ready to provide the power and positive encouragement.  (I think the girls let me sit in the front out of respect for my elder status - happy with that as I knew how difficult it would be)  Finish this session with 3 lap race (around buoy, back to shore, out and run with boat to jetty 3 times)  We WERE tired and we tried but somebody had to come last.  Finish with game of canoe polo - that's when out find out how competitive every one is.

AT LAST LUNCH, tongues hanging out, in need of caffeine too.

Next........Mountain biking with Ian.  Sian can't wait.  She was born with pedals on her feet.  We try riding up vertical slopes - oh dear - wrong gear again, lots of bramble scratches but great fun.  Find out how difficult it is to ride over wet roots etc without technique and confidence but both improving by the minute for all in the group.  Next, bunny hopping over logs....everyone has a go except Wendy who prefers to pretend there's a log and hopes nobody minds or notices!  Cycle tracks in Forest of Dean excellent so trail bike as a group until its time to head for the "top" and abseil section.

Some of the group have abseiled before so those who are apprehensive are encouraged to go first.  Matt and Dave, our instructors, again very patient and relaxed.  Sian down first, no problem, Wendy next, very stiff from bike ride and canoeing, takes on the challenge and twirls to the bottom. 

We both watch Andrea come down like an expert, just a natural, we think.  Hike back through undergrowth to top for our bikes and are pleased to be cycling back via the lovely trails to hot showers and hot tea.  Tea never tasted so good, especially with left over apple crumble and cold custard.

Running out of time before talk on kit and bike maintenance so have 100mph shower and then we're ready for the evening’s festivities.  We can't wait.  Always living for the next meal.

Dining area has been given rustic atmosphere by candles, wine and table cloths!  A wonderful meal follows.  Get to know different members of group and chat to Trailplus team about their wonderful achievements.  It’s 10.30pm already and try not to be tired.  Short brief about getting ready the following morning then everyone retires........except us!  Off to the pub for a last beer.  Finally retire at 1 am, knowing that we need to be up at 6.30am to prepare for Adventure Race Sunday morning.   Work hard, train hard, play hard.  That's us!

Sunday 6.30am alarm goes again.  We rise all groaning about our aches and pains.  Decide easier to name what doesn't ache but can't really think of anything!  We plan and plot our route for the cycle and run.  Thank goodness we won't have to canoe but some of the challenges incorporated in gaining points may be tricky.  3 in a team.  We are put together - strong team- Not! 

Breakfast 8am and lots of it.  Cycle to lake again, legs don't feel so bad after all.  Race time limit is 4 hours.  Decide to cycle before run,  Yes we got lost, Yes we swore but we kept smiling (most of the time anyway)  Run section included getting wet and climbing through and up things but we don't want to put any readers off so omit details.  We failed to find all the compulsory controls so our point’s score was not good.  Our lack of map reading abilities with the combination of our competitiveness was to be our undoing but we had no problem with the team spirit aspect.

Cycle back to centre then just a short out and back jog for Andrea and Wendy - only mad ones doing that!

A great fun day so back to base for prize giving, tea and cakes and goodbyes.

We had a brilliant weekend and would return should anyone else want some company.  We may even try a real adventure race next year.

Many thanks to the Trailplus team.  Absolutely wonderful.

See their website www.Trailplus.com

Wendy, Andrea and Sian.