Just back from the IOM and despite much pre-start grumbling from many quarters, the spring challenge was great. Well organised and run, lots of great riding, more sun than anywhere else in Britain and a long steep climb to reach the overnight camp - ideal. There were noticably fewer competitors - but there didn't seem to be any moaning/griping. Well worth making the effort to get there. Well done Graham(s) and team.
Absolutely. My first ever Polaris, and it was a blinder. Thanks to everybody involved, especially whoever it was who arranged for the rain to hold off until this morning and avoid the event itself!
Couldn't agree more. On balance it was a fantastic weekend, the riding was superb, and the weather fantastic, Thanks and well done to everyone involved.
I only read all the moaning after the event ;-)
A great weekend and surprise that that Polaris swapped their rain machine for the wind machine. Thankfully it's really expensive to use both machines at once and the number of competitors = revenue = less money to buy bad weather!
Good thing too about the (absense of) rain - Imagine what the likes of Checkpoint 28,29,18 etc would have been like if it hadn't have been dry for six weeks!
SUGGESTION FOR jAMES
Just wanted to add my thanks to those above. Well done Graham and team for organising a great event. The quality and variety of the mtb'g was superb and we certainly got to see the best of the island - though I am happy not to have to ride the ruts of the Millenium Way again for a while!! Anyway, the downhills more than made up for that. Looks like those riders who couldn't (or wouldn't) make it to the IOM missed out - unlucky ...we all had a ball!! Anyway, thats my first Polaris complete and I am afraid that I am hooked....roll on the next one....
I'd like to thank Graham for organising a great event. My husband has been telling me that the Polaris forum is full of whingers, so it's good to read some positive notes at last. For all those who think they can do a better job of organising an event, go on try it.
By Huw Pritchard ( - 213.105.254.40) on Monday, April 21, 2003 - 10:25 pm:
Guess I'll be seeing you all in summer.
By James ( - 193.113.37.7) on Tuesday, April 22, 2003 - 10:13 am:
Unfortunately an inconsiderate friend has decided to get married and his stag do clashes with the summer one.....
James
By Mike D ( - 80.192.26.198) on Tuesday, April 22, 2003 - 11:24 am:
Fantastic event. Small field yes, but splendid.
We even managed to find a gas bottle for the stove on Good Friday, which was handy...
Mike.
By AP ( - 194.129.217.113) on Tuesday, April 22, 2003 - 11:33 am:
By IanB ( - 80.225.160.176) on Tuesday, April 22, 2003 - 02:27 pm:
As far as the wind was concerned, as long as you tent stayed up at the overnight camp, it was blowing in more or less the right direction to get you back to the start on the second day.
Well done to GrahamIOM for finding such great checkpoints that were varied, challenging and with fanstastic views (especially no. 27).
Roll on the next one...
By FatBoySlow ( - 81.77.130.118) on Tuesday, April 22, 2003 - 06:13 pm:
Why not take your friend to the North Yorks Moors for his Stag DO....
By daryl rush ( - 195.92.168.175) on Friday, April 25, 2003 - 11:26 am:
By Julie Hodgetts ( - 213.121.212.121) on Friday, April 25, 2003 - 12:59 pm:
As Daryl said it's a pity that more people didn't support the event - but it's they who missed out!
Well done Graham and Polaris for keeping up the good work.