FIFTY-SIX riders turned out for the first event in the 2005/6 Mintcake MTB Winter Cycle Orienteering series and faced a challenging course around the Low Furness area, made tougher by a deluge followed by a freeze.

It quickly became clear that visiting all 30 controls spread between Gleaston and the top end of Kirkby Moor in the three hours available was impossible and route choice became the deciding factor.

Series organiser Paul Allen from Kendal posted the highest score of the day and, even with some advance knowledge of the area, he could only manage 290 from a possible 525 points.

The senior men's prize went to Antony Rowland, whose 275 points were matched by veteran men's winner Mike Hayward from Lancaster, with winner of the super veteran men category Andy Stubbs of Ulverston close behind on 266.

Local knowledge helped Anne Plant, from Pennington, win the veteran women category with 235, and generation team Andrew and Tim Crozier took their category with an excellent 251. Simon and Sarah Sarginson from Kendal were the mixed team winners on 218.

Punctures from recent hedge trimming and rural bridleways turned to mudbaths by the rain posed the challenge in the southern section, while sheer distance, remoteness and climbs belying the Low Furness tag, made the points hard-earned to the north. The next event on Sunday 11 December is around Whinfell, near Kendal, details www.mintcakemtb.co.uk. Any proceeds go to charity - proceeds from the first event will go to the Rosemere Cancer Foundation.