What is a Lanequest? I would describe them as orienteering on a bike. You have 2 hours to collect as many controls as possible from a maximum of 30 and there is a penalty if you are late back. You don’t have to stay out for the full 2 hours! Controls are all on footpath fingerposts unless indicated on the map.

Lanequests get you out riding on roads you’ve never ridden (even if you are only a few miles from home) and really make you think. They’re a great social, before, during and after, with good grub at the end. And they’re for absolutely anyone! Young, old, racing, not racing, in a pair or solo. E bikes are allowed, generation pairs or pairs. I did one with my son last year and he (and I!) really enjoyed it. If you’re competitive, there are prizes at the end of the series (of 6): 1^st Men’s, 1^st Women’s, 1^st Pair, based on the 4 best results from 6. Money raised goes to the North West Air Ambulance. What’s not to like?!

A three year old Stan Rushton enjoying his first Lanequest

The first event on Sunday 1^st September is at The Punch Bowl, Barrows Green, Kendal LA8 0AA. Register between 9-10am, start time 10am. Cost is £10 (including food afterwards) for BMBO or KVRC members; £11 for others. You can enter by emailing tonydixon1951@yahoo.co.uk or phoning Giant Kendal - 01539 728057

Further events:

2nd Event - 6th October - Strickland Arms, Great Strickland, CA10 3DF
3rd event - 3rd November - Holme Working Man's Club, LA6 1RB
4th Event - 1st December - Hare and Hounds, Bowland Bridge, LA11 6NN
5th Event - 2nd February - The New Inn, Yealand, LA5 9SJ
6th Event - 1st March – The Anglers Arms, Haverthwaite, LA12 8AJ

• Lanequest info https://www.bmbo.org.uk/calendar/details.php?event_id=1136
• Full calendar https://www.bmbo.org.uk/calendar/
• Giant/KVRC Lanequests 2019-20 https://www.facebook.com/events/367504247301851/

Claire Rushton