I think I tried this once before but did not get much response.
Over the last 12 years we have tried to find new locations for the PC and on an overcrowded Island have succeeded.
But maybe now it is time to revisit some old areas so let me have your comments on your favourite and most hated event areas, no comments re Keilder as we know how you feel about that.
We also want to get the Navitac up and running next year and need some suggestions of a suitable area.
The NYMNP is out because of bird nesting but we need a similar area with a good blend of forest blocks and open upland area with plenty of trails. I have been scratching my head but not coming up with anything other than Keilder or Grisedale, any thoughts?

i missed the t/q at glentress,but one of my mates has camped up there and said it's huge with ex trails,failing that the lakes offers all sorts as well as yorkshire/howgill area,just a few thoughts for you to chew over!

Personally I love Kielder, and Galloway was good as well. I also loved Salisbury and wished I had a singlespeed to have done that one on. It's only distance. Its the hills I have a problem with!

I have only done 3 polaris challenges, work, family, and foot and mouth stoped me doing more, all were great. They were Exmoor, Salisbury, and N Lakes. I would have no problem revisiting any of them, but look forward to visiting new places too. Hopefully once number 3 child is out and barring no more accidents I hope to be doing alot more in the future!

Of the five PC's i've done(way back when) i'd say:

NYMNP - pretty good but obviously not an option

Mid Wales - Very good (lots of tracks but oh yea that farmer and his gate)!

Keilder- OK so it's all been said before, I got joint 26th with about 150 others, so not a great choice of routes?

Yorkshire Dales - liked that but not much forest.

Dumfries & Galloway - excellent but a long way from Hertfordshire (and bloody cold in '93)

Isle of Man for the Navitac?

There are loads more trails that Graham (H) didn't take anyone on, plus plantations, quiet roads and so on. Just make sure you do not clash with any MotorSport event!

Revisit anywhere for a "normal" Polaris!!!

Peak Disrict - used too often? Salisbury Plain - just the job - Yorkshire Dales - soooperb, Exmoor even, but Kielder?? - no ta

Wales Wales and More Wales please

Its in the middle, steep, empty and fun.

Llanwyrtyd Wells was my first Polaris in the early 90's. Its so long ago I can't even remember which year it was, but I can remember it was great fun.

Wales would be great for Summer 04. Up north they have midges, down south they have too many tourists. Mid-wales is the perfect place, plus its almost guarenteed to rain...

Dumfries and Galloway - I'd love to do an event in Scotland - it would be worth travelling.

The Polaris Event Area List

1991 Autumn North York Moors, Bank Foot

1992 Spring Mid Wales
Autumn Keilder Forest, Northumberland

1993 Spring Yorkshire Dales, North East
Autumn Galloway Forest, South West Scotland

1994 Spring NE Lake District, North East
Autumn Radnor Forest, Welsh Borders

1995 Spring Yorkshire Dales, South
Summer NYMNP, Cropton Forest
Autumn Elan Valley, mid Wales

1996 Spring Keilder Forest, Northumberland
Summer NYMNP, Dalby Forest
Autumn Howgills, North West England

1997 Spring Exmoor, Southwest England
Summer NYMNP, Dalby Forest,
Autumn Snowdonia, North Wales

1998 Spring Cheviot Hills, Northumberland
Summer NYMNP, NW, Bank Foot
Autumn Lake District, South West

1999 Spring Welsh Marches
Summer NYMNP, Cropton Forest
Autumn Wark Forest, Northumberland

2000 Spring Peak District
Summer NYMNP, NW Kildale
Autumn Exmoor

2001 Spring Cancelled FMD
Summer Kielder
Autumn Salisbury

2002 Spring Brecon Beacons North
Summer Peak District
Autumn Lake District NP NW

2003 Spring Isle of Man
Summer North York Moors SE, Dalby
Autumn Northern Pennines

If you're going to do more overseas Polarises, I wonder how far people will travel? I've always wanted to do a 24 hour event somewhere with midnight sun, like Sweden or Finland!

I don't think it would work for a winter polaris, but the south downs has a lot of potential for the summer event. I can picture it now, high speed, colosal distances, recuperating on the beach, ice creams, fish and chips......
It would be more like a holiday than a Polaris.

Having had a look at the Aussie Polaris site...

What about an Urban Polaris?

Me and a few mates had this idea back in the early nineties after competing in the first couple of PC's, we wanted to run it in London with the A to Z as the event map, bike shops as control points and a disused warehouse for the overnight doss (sorry - camp). Eventually we decided it was too much work when we would rather be out riding our bikes than event organising!

During FMD we tried to get one off the ground with zero response. Nuff said.
I still have the planning info for the ones in Sheffield and Teesside.