4.613miles with 229m climb in 54:23
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IpBikeI decided to run a shorter course after exceeding my limit significantly in Gay City. Seeing that Red was long (for me) and stocked to the gills with challenging controls would probably have dissuaded me anyway. Green also had a couple of tricky controls but a much friendlier length so it seemed to fit the bill.
A quick warm up around the parking lot and down to the start for a stretch and off I went following the path North. Choosing where to head East off the path was fairly simple. Directly West of the control was the first clearing in the almost unpassable scrub. Hit #1 perfectly and continued East hoping to hit the path where it turns North West which I did. Continuing East and hitting #2 dead on. Not so difficult when you have a big f-off cliff to mark the spot. Next control was quite a distance North which I knew I would have no chance of finding as the crow flies in a decent time so headed back West to the trail. Followed it North turning East at East Lagoon. My aim was to head North as soon as the trail crossed the stream which I knew would be easy to find which it was. I think my bearing was good but my following it was not. Steep and overgrown terrain was too much for my inexperience. Returned to the path and repeated the process which took me further West this time and to #3. Took a straight bearing to the next control and did pretty well but still goofed it. Needing to get contact which was completely lost, I headed North West to the path. Followed it North East to intersection of another path so I knew exactly where I was. Took bearing South and hit #4 dead on. Heading further South for a couple of minutes running straight to #5. Again pretty easy when you have a cliff to light the way. Headed South to the path and followed it East and South, around the big cliffs and then North to the point where the line of cliffs would intersect the path. Took bearing and headed South West straight to #6 perfectly. Strategy for the next control was identical to the 3rd. Too far for me to find cross country quickly so I headed back the way I came to the path which I followed North West to Lake Hopewell. Headed West beneath the lake on path just past the point where the finger of the lake almost touches the path. Took a bearing South and following cross country over the fence which had conveniently been flattened by a tree at the point I wanted to cross and then over a stone wall hitting the #7 perfectly. Was a little dubious that the narrow clearing through the thicket would be passable but headed West to it anyway. It worked as I was on the path in no time. Followed it South to the bottom of the field and then the path North. Ran to the finish singing for glory.
The lost time at 4 and 5 could have been avoided if I had know the difference between the symbol for a hill and a re-entrant. The latter of which I thought was a u not an n.
All in all it was the most enjoyable meet I've had for some time. Down I think to learning from previous mistakes, improved fitness and keeping contact with the map.