HUMM 2010 - Horizons Unlimited Mountain Madness

 

The mountain trails have been heavily reconnoitred and small metal plaques have been affixed in stunning locations. Each plaque bears a random string of six letters. Just like orienteering each team gets the same map (one month in advance!) and a checkpoint booklet ON THE DAY BEFORE the START. Each checkpoint gets its own page upon which its location is clearly described. Teams must record certain letters from each plaque. Crucially, the booklet is not a roadbook. No two teams ever take the same routes, there is no course as such.

Austin Vince pointing out how easy to find the checkpoint markers are - they are NOT hidden.

Austin Vince and Lois Pryce laid the course.

On the next day, some folks dash back home whilst others sedately spend a few more days visiting the checkpoints they didn’t get to during the event. In this way the HUMM is both an enjoyable competition and a ready-to-go trail riding package.

The on-road HUMM is designed more for the 'stop and smell the roses' types, although it does get very competitive!

Enjoy the fabulous views in the Pyrenees

Just like orienteering each team gets a map in advance and a checkpoint booklet on Day 1 of the event! Crucially, the booklet is not a roadbook. No two teams ever take the same routes, there is no course as such.

Susan works on her map-reading skills!

We (Grant and Susan) have ridden just about every paved-ish road in the Spanish and French Pyrenees and Andorra, and selected the best for you. For 2010, we have selected 40 checkpoints out of the 60+ available, and we have affixed a random letter somewhere around the checkpoint. Unlike the off-road version, the letters are NOT out in the open to reduce the risk that they will be removed between now and the event, but there is a picture in the book to clearly show where it is.

Each checkpoint has its own page upon which its location is clearly described. Teams must record the letter at each checkpoint, and occasionally answer a question which can only be answered from information at the checkpoint. There are bonus points in case of a tie.

Lots of nice restaurants to stop for lunch or coffee.

Note: Road teams MAY NOT go off-road voluntarily. If roadworks require a short detour, that's okay, riding off-road from Andorra to Spain is NOT okay. Violation of this rule will result in disqualification of the team.

You must pay attention, though - there are road hazards!

As with the Off-road event, we do NOT expect teams to be able to get to all the checkpoints in the 2 1/2 days. Stick around and spend a few more days visiting the checkpoints you didn’t get to during the event.

More great views in the Spanish Pyrenees.

• Full use of the parking garage is included in the deal. And it's huge, ample room for all the bikes and to work!
• The hotel will provide a full 'English' breakfast, and also vegetarian options at dinner.
• For 2010, the hotel will be doing buffet-style dinners for a negotiated price of €15, which is very competitive with other restaurants in town, especially as it is all-you-can-eat.
• Use of the Spa IS included in your room price as part of our special deal, so enjoy!
• Free wireless internet access is available throughout the common areas of the hotel.
• Hotel facilities include: Outdoor swimming-pool; Spa & Wellness centre; Sauna; Turkish bath; Restaurant; Bar; TV lounge; Board games room and pool table; Childrens playground; Conference room; Gardens; Terrace; Massage service (NOT included in your room rate!); Luggage storage; Fax/Photocopying services; Internet connection; 24-hour reception; Modern décor.
• Room facilities include en suite bathroom; central heating; air conditioning in all rooms; satellite TV; direct dial telephone; mini bar; hairdryer and 24-hour room service.
• No pets
• Excellent views from the hotel.
• Girona airport is 82.9 Km. away.
• Check out: Noon.

Hotel Address and contact details:

• Remember you do NOT book with the hotel for the event, we do all that for you with a special package price that is much lower than booking on your own.
• We also book any extra days you want.
• Keep the details below with you on the way there in case anything goes wrong and you need to contact us or the hotel.

HG La Molina,
Cami Pista Llarga 1,
17537 Alp, Spain

Free phone international: 00800 3400 0034
Spain free phone: 900 900 407

Photos of the HG La Molina Hotel here

We've arranged with Tim Skilton of LocoForMotos (yes they speak English!) to have hire bikes available, but you MUST book with them well in advance. Bikes are all Spanish registered and have Spanish insurance and ITV (MOT) where necessary regarding age.

For 2010, bikes are available in three size categories as follows:

Category A	Category B	Category C
KTM 450 EXCR Enduro	Yamaha 660 Tenere	BMW GS 1200
KTM 690 Super Enduro	BMW GS 650	BMW HP2 (Enduro Spec)
BMW 450X Enduro
BMW 650 X-Challenge

Rental prices are as follows:

# of Days Rental	Category A	Category B	Category C
2 days	€175 euros per day	€175 euros per day	€195 euros per day
3 days	€170 euros per day	€170 euros per day	€190 euros per day
4 days	€165 euros per day	€165 euros per day	€185 euros per day
5 + days	€160 euros per day	€160 euros per day	€180 euros per day

Included in the rental price:

• Insurance
• bike supplied with suitable tyres and prepared for the event as if for a two day enduro (just as you would do if it were your bike).
• All enduros are supplied with mousses, so no punctures! (Or HD tubes if you prefer for more highway use).
• Off-road tuition - 3 hours of off-road tuition (in a group) is included with the rental.

LocoForMotos will be there to support the bikes, but damage repair(s) and replacement parts are chargeable. LocoForMotos will have a spare bike of each type to cover all eventualities.

Credit card deposit of €500 euros (returnable) for the two days for any incurred damages is required, on top of the hire price.

Additional (Optional): €25 euros per day

• Enduro clothing: Boots 43-47/ 9-12/13 (although we recommend using your own for size and fit)
• Knee protection
• Riding trousers
• Body protection (back, elbow, shoulder, chest with kidney support)
• Riding shirt
• Helmet (although we recommend using your own for size and fit)
• Goggles
• Gloves

The bikes will be there on the 25th and available for set up in the afternoon/evening. The bikes leave on the 1st August, in the morning.

Deposit and Payment

LocoForMotos need a 30% deposit to secure the hire of the bike.

The hire must be paid in full by April 30, 2010 in line with the event policy.

Cancellation

Notify Loco for Motos before April 30, 2010, and they will refund your deposit less a 20 euro fee for administration and to cover administration. AFTER April 30, 2010, there will be no refunds. Substitutions will be allowed, and the hirer(s) will need to confirm it.

Book your bike now!

With Grant Johnson and Tim Skilton - July 26, 2010 (AM or PM groups)

3 hours of tuition in a group (maximum of 10 riders)	Price
Owner's bike	€45 euros
Loco for Motos bike (if not already rented)	€110 euros
If bike already rented from Loco for Motos	Free service

Package includes:

• Training at a suitable site not too far from the hotel
• Soft drinks and snacks
• Assistance with tools
• Medical assistance should it be necessary

Book now!

Loco for Motos is also offering a Tyre Changing Service for 2010

• €20 euros for one, €15 euros for two at the same time (front and rear). Both with owner's tyres.

...a two-day dual-sport off-road motorcycle orienteering event in the Pyrenees.

The third annual HU Mountain Madness event is over, and once again met with rave reviews!

The weather co-operated beautifully for riding the 3rd annual HUMM in the Spanish Pyrenees. Over 40 teams participated in three classes:

Off-road Over 645cc

• First Place - Iain Woolley and Ian Chappel reclaimed their title and top score overall - congrats!
• Second Place - newbies Paul and Hans Jorgen Ostergaard (Team Viking)
• Third Place - Charles Fleming, Jon Boella and Mathieu Preveraud (Charlie's Angels)

Off-road Under 645cc

• First Place - James de Ville, Trent Whitta and Peter Baird - the Mushman Candidates retained their Team #40 from last year so they didn't have to repaint their bikes! Well done, guys!
• Second Place - Bernard McKevitt and Peter Ferris (Pog Mo Thoin)
• Third Place - Dave Austen and Linda Hughes

Paved Road

• First Place - David Pointer, Gary Smith and Matt Pope
• Second Place - Steve and James Grant

Gold scores (within 15% of the winners score):

Iain Woolley, Ian Chappel, Paul Ostergaard, Hans Jørgen Østergaard, James de Ville, Trent Whitta, Peter Baird, Bernard McKevitt, Peter Ferris, David Austen, Linda Hughes, David Pointer, Gary Smith, Matt Pope

Silver (within 30% of the winners score):

Charles Fleming, Jon Boella, Mathieu Preveraud, John Loader, Brian Turner, Hamish Oag, Ed Scrivener, Ashley Bryan, Alfred Mansfield, Stuart Macfarlane, Deborah Seed, Les Butler, Steve Grant, James Grant

Bronze (within 50% of the winners score):

David Evershed, Hilary Smith, John McComb, Jane Cavell, Vanessa van Wyk, Chris Milne, Michael Pocock, Lionel Cox, Grace Hagan, Martin Ashby, Jeremy Ashby, Nick White, Nicholas Bridger, Stephen Jones, Peter Howell, Simon Jordan, Steve Summers, Tony Weeks

Finishers:

Philip Wright, Mel Jordan, Jon Balderson, Mike Pringuer, Warren Murray, Etienne Van Wyk, Richard Shine, Iain Patterson, Debbie Simpson, John Wright, Nick Minutello, Ron Hall, Michael Hargreaves, Wolf & Jan Rost, Kevin & Suzy White, Rocket the dog, Geoff Harvey, Sarah O'Connor, Tony Hemming, Anne Anderson, Matthew Anderson, David Haines, David Shield, Stephen Wain, Ian Fews, Rob Wallis, Niall Connolly, Fergus Connolly, Louise Tovey, Fraser Drake, Neil Kelsey, Kerry Farmer, Mark Sweetman, Steve Farmer, Mike Strawford, Philip Tearle, Rob Strawford, Darran Bree, Richard Mollet, Greg Veit, Lee Bolding

And for various reasons, mostly mechanical, there were a number of DNF's and even a few DNS's too!

See Team Garage Night's video of the event

More comments:

"First time to the event for me. Thought it was fantastic."

"With riding in Europe I find it difficult to know which dirt roads are public - I love the fact that someone has marked out publicly rideable but challenging roads that can be undertaking legally (despite occasional cow-herding locals bailing up riders and whacking them with sticks!)."

"Thanks so much for organising the HUMM again this year, we had a brilliant time."

"The location was great, the Hotel's facilities were good too (especially the spa). The people taking part were great fun - such a diverse crowd."

"First time I've ever done anything like this and was lots of fun. Will be back for the next one."

"Thanks for all your efforts in organising such a great event, I still can't stop smiling!"

...a two-day dual-sport off-road motorcycle orienteering event in the Pyrenees.

The second annual HU Mountain Madness event is over, and once again met with rave reviews!

On-Road HUMM results:

David Pointer, Gary Smith and Matt Pope cleaned up on the road, hitting every checkpoint and bonus mark, missing a perfect score because they came in late on Day One. The cruiser riding team of Paul Myers and Vanessa and Rowanna Greenhough were a strong second with good scores.

Off-road HUMM results: (max possible score 5350)

Kevin Priest (R1200GS) and Alistair Lindop (F650GS) topped the charts off-road with a score of 3,118, after also leading on Day One with a score of 2,091.

Peter Baird (KTM 950), James deVille (KTM640) and Trent Whitta were a very close second with 3,079 points.

The "Two Ians" Ian Chappel; (R1200 GSA) and Iain Woolley (Africa Twin), last years champions, met with trouble on Day One, and were behind in points, but vowed to make it up on Day Two - and almost did, finishing a very close third with 3036 points. If they hadn't been late in on Day one, incurring a 100 point penalty, they would have won again! They're plotting a return to mastery in 09!

Jon Balderson (F650GS) and Mark Bell (XRV750) finished a very close fourth, with 3027 points, coming from way behind on Day One to end up with the highest Day Two score.

The top 4 teams were separated by a mere 91 points out of 3000 - 3% - so an incredibly close finish!

The top riders all had well-prepared maps, with many ingenious solutions to make it easy and clear to read their route.

Gold scores (within 15% of the winners score):

Kevin Priest, Alistair Lindop, Peter Baird, James deVille, Trent Whitta, Iain Woolley, Ian Chappel, Jon Balderson, Mark Bell, Cheyne Bunnett, Tony Johnston, Michael McGee, Richard Colquhoun, Neil Smith, Nigel Jeffery

Silver (within 30% of the winners score):

Brian Turner, John Loader, Mark Bart, Jane Keats, Bernard McKevitt, Robert Quinlan, Simon Jarvis, Simon Titterton

Bronze (within 50% of the winners score):

John and Graham Bird, Barry Nash John Lidbetter, Ashley Moule Adrian Sant, Jon Homfray Wayne Darcy, Mike Condliffe Philip Jones, Phillip Ellis-Jones Michael Austin, Colin Campbell

Finishers:

Lionel Cox, Grace Hagan, Paul Cordle, Mat Wilkinson, Tony and Theresa Hemmings, Geoff Harvey, Sarah O'Connor, Matt and Anne Anderson, Simon Jordan, Andy Oakes, Steve Summers, Dave Austen, Linda Hughes, Bill Sterry, Tim Cullis, Martin Clark, Nick Smith, Steve Brazier, Paul and Annie Clayton, Conrad and Mandy Witan and Suzie in the sidecar, John Nowell, Arnaud Stephenson, Murray Briggs, Paul McCluskey, Michael Pocock, Paul Atherton, Russell Francis, Martyn Brett, Matthew Hough.

And for various reasons, mostly mechanical, there were a number of DNF's and even a few DNS's too!

See Team Fruit's video of the event

...a two-day dual-sport off-road motorcycle orienteering event in the Pyrenees.

The first annual HU Mountain Madness event is now over - and if you weren't there, you'd better plan on being there next year! Why? Because it was fantastic!

Comments ranged from "Best riding day ever" to "Awesome" and "Absolutely amazing!"

Twenty-three hours of riding in the beautiful mountain trails of the Pyrenees, hunting for elusive marker points and bagging mile after mile of fun trails, with fantastic mountain views, left some of the riders in such awe of the place that they spent more time looking at the scenery than they did bagging points!

The "Two Ians" Ian Chappel;R 1200 GSA, and Iain Woolley;Africa Twin had never even met before the event, and live a hundred miles apart. They were teamed up by the organisers, and proved a killer combination - one Ian planned the route for the East half of the map, the other for the west half, and swapped navigation duties on the second day.

Coming in two and a half hours early (!) on Sunday, with Ian on a flat rear tire for the last ten miles, they were asked by Susan if they had a problem, "No, we've done it."
"What do you mean?" questioned Susan.
"We got them all, every point," said Iain.

And so they had - they hit every checkpoint, which layout man Austin Vince swore before the event was impossible - and they came in early for a beer at the bar to show their absolute domination of the event. They also proved the lie in Austin's words that a "proper trailbike" was the best way to ride the event, both riding big bikes to crush the opposition under their wheels.

Second place and the 'machismo (or is it spelled masochism?) award' went to Team Lamsdale, Gary Lamsdale;DR350, and Roger Lamsdale;XT350. Gary rode the whole weekend with a massive toothache that required a trip to the hospital after the finish Sunday night, and a trip to the dentist on Monday morning for emergency work. He said: "It got bad at altitude, so coming down to where it just hurt felt good". They also packed their two bikes into a Kangoo van - absolutely chockers, with both wheels off the whole lot fit just nicely! At 994 points, they thought they were in with a chance for the win, but Team 'Two Ians' shocked everyone.

Third place went to Team BJ, Brian Turner;Yamaha XT660R and John Loader;BMW F650GS. Early and very strong leaders at the end of Day One, they demoralised the opposition with a massive points score, well ahead of second place team. However, it seems they cracked under the pressure on day two, navigation skills suffered, and they came in with 970 points.

In fourth, Team Marsden, Rupert    Marsden;R1100GS, Jeremy Jameson;F650GS, and Mario Agius, on an XT600, with 807 points. Their score may have been higher had Rupert not been riding one handed at speed while filming with his left hand. Next year he's coming back with a helmet cam!

In 5th place was Team Priest, Kevin Priest;CCM, Sabina Shread (on her brand new Yamaha TT250 AND on her FIRST day of off-road riding - she did VERY well - and was very proud of only falling off twice on the second day, bettering the four times on the first day) and Lee Bolding;KTM 525MXC. Extra prayers didn't help them to a win, but they did end up with a strong 767 points. They also rode down a particularly gnarly trail that another team struggled to get up - and swore that you'd have to be crazy to go down!

Next up was Team Mitchell, Gary Mitchell;R1200GS, Tony Jeffery;KTM950, Ashley and Deborah Simpkin both on KLE500's, with 539 points. At the end of the second day Debbie was the only one that came up smelling like a rose - she hit the showers while the rest of her team chose to hit the bar.

One team that prioritised scenery over points was Team Avery. Kevin Avery;R1150GS, James Dee;R1200GSA, (who got some quick off-road tips for his first off-road riding ever on the Friday!) and Gordon Sargeant;KTM640 Adventure came in last place with a total of 272 points out of a possible 1085. They were last off the mark both days too, but they were also the "most improved Team" from Saturday to Sunday! There's talk of an Avery award for next year's last place team ;-)

The Lamsdale's second on 350's also showed that it really didn't matter what you rode - preparation, planning and determination were all key. The top riders all had well-prepared maps, with many ingenious solutions to make it easy and clear to read their route.

When the competitors were asked what they thought of the event, the general sentiment was; "We'll be back! I can't believe all the trails and how good they are - it's just amazing! WELL worth the trip down!"