TOURIST TRIAL
This is an annual Sunday morning fun ride that is somewhat like a cross between a treasure hunt, orienteering and a bike ride. An Ordnance Survey Map is definitely a very good idea!
At the start the organiser will give you a set of instructions and you will need to consider these carefully for a while (using your O.S. map as a reference) before determining your plan.
The organiser will make sure that you know where you are going before you set off. He will check the route that you plan and may well deduct points for errors.
You will have to answer questions en route about the countryside, cycling, the environment and the highway code. You may need to spot requested information - like, for example, the name of a vicar or the licensee of a pub. You may have been given photographs at the start and will need to give a map reference stating exactly where they were taken.
You will have to answer questions en route about the countryside, cycling, the environment and the highway code. You may need to spot requested information - like, for example, the name of a vicar or the licensee of a pub. You may have been given photographs at the start and will need to give a map reference stating exactly where they were taken.
REPORT FROM THE 2017 VERSION
PALMER WINS THE LAST TROPHY OF THE SEASON
A stellar cast of past champions and enthusiastic challengers faced up to the challenge of the Worthing Excelsior Cycling Club annual Tourist Trial, the last opportunity to take home some silverware for 2017. This year the circuit, starting at Partridge Green, was on a challenging, undulating course of 35 miles over a mix of main roads and country lanes with some parts over rough ground and bridle paths. Bike handling skills were a vital test of the rider’s competence together with a degree of fitness and endurance sufficient to combat the stop-start nature of the event. To add to the challenge, riders needed to have developed a skill in map reading - it’s like orienteering on a bike - together a keen eye on their observation skills.
An additional test introduced this year was in the form of a ’scavenger hunt’ with riders required to gather disparate items along the way. Some were more successful than others, but, when asked to produce a ‘conker’ but can’t tell the difference between a horse chestnut, a sweet chestnut and an acorn then there’s no hope for some.
The quiz at the end was a mix of several different elements so that every rider had an opportunity to compete successfully. Questions included references to Sussex history and its geography and a number of questions on cycling. Unfortunately no one got the right answer to the question on the distance covered whilst riding a bike backward whilst playing a violin (it’s 64.45km), and not everyone knew the name of the proprietor of Stan’s Bike Shack.
The winner this year was Tony Palmer whose knowledge of Sussex roads is known to be encyclopaedic, he having won this event over many years. It was a close run competition with Graeme Gill, Robert Downham and Phil Frean just behind. All the competitors thoroughly enjoyed their ride out and said that it was probably the most fun you could have with a bike.
A stellar cast of past champions and enthusiastic challengers faced up to the challenge of the Worthing Excelsior Cycling Club annual Tourist Trial, the last opportunity to take home some silverware for 2017. This year the circuit, starting at Partridge Green, was on a challenging, undulating course of 35 miles over a mix of main roads and country lanes with some parts over rough ground and bridle paths. Bike handling skills were a vital test of the rider’s competence together with a degree of fitness and endurance sufficient to combat the stop-start nature of the event. To add to the challenge, riders needed to have developed a skill in map reading - it’s like orienteering on a bike - together a keen eye on their observation skills.
An additional test introduced this year was in the form of a ’scavenger hunt’ with riders required to gather disparate items along the way. Some were more successful than others, but, when asked to produce a ‘conker’ but can’t tell the difference between a horse chestnut, a sweet chestnut and an acorn then there’s no hope for some.
The quiz at the end was a mix of several different elements so that every rider had an opportunity to compete successfully. Questions included references to Sussex history and its geography and a number of questions on cycling. Unfortunately no one got the right answer to the question on the distance covered whilst riding a bike backward whilst playing a violin (it’s 64.45km), and not everyone knew the name of the proprietor of Stan’s Bike Shack.
The winner this year was Tony Palmer whose knowledge of Sussex roads is known to be encyclopaedic, he having won this event over many years. It was a close run competition with Graeme Gill, Robert Downham and Phil Frean just behind. All the competitors thoroughly enjoyed their ride out and said that it was probably the most fun you could have with a bike.
DETAIL FROM THE 2016 VERSION
Andrew Lock kindly put together this year's edition. It was a huge shame that the torrential rain during the early part of the morning deterred many. Those who braved those early conditions thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
And Mick Irons ended up winning the club's largest trophy
And Mick Irons ended up winning the club's largest trophy
EXAMPLE FROM A PREVIOUS YEAR
Outward Section:
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From Washington, start by proceeding east on A283 through spot height 63,
Follow a route that passes the following:- Spot height 35 Fair Oak Farm on your left At map reference TQ167154 take the shortest route to map reference TQ165162 Pass the nearest church with a spire on your right Cross the River Adur at spot height 5 Continue through spot heights 8 & 23 Whilst riding north, pass a telephone box and pub on your left Continue to cross A272 at Clock House Spot heights 25 & 64 Pass Old Park Farm on your left and Shuckers Farm on your right At map ref TQ 170249 join the Downs Link Cycleway Continue to 11’s at Southwater Country Park |
Homeward Section:
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From Southwater Country Park proceed to road junction at map reference TQQ161254, where turn right.
Continue to turn left into Church Lane adjacent to The Cock Pub Pass a cemetery on your left and continue to descend Bonfire Hill Turn right and continue to go through spot height 56 Continue to pass Richmond Farm on your right and then take left turn into Trout Lane at TQ133268 Take 1st turning right and in 300 metres right again to LC where left Continue to T junction where left, and continue to A272 at Coneyhurst where left and 1st right to Broadford Bridge where left and 1st right to West Chiltington At village crossroads turn left to join B2139 at Picketty Cottages Right on to B2139 passing through spot heights 66 & 36, continue to junction adjacent to college, where left through to spot height 71 where turn right onto unclassified road and continue to spot height 56 at junction with A283. Turn left Continue to finish at Frankland Arms, Washington. |
If all this makes sense to you then you're clearly up to the challenge. And the points winner on the day gets to be presented with a nice trophy at the club's annual awards dinner.
