Report
Very many thanks to Iwan Jones to this report. Results are below.
The Icicle Navigation Run was set to be to be a tough event. The clubs toughest navigation run of the year organised by Lee and Sion Mathews. The pressure was on as last year defending winners of the tankard, and with Duncan Littler on the hunt after a first-place tie on the last event the scene was set. All crews met in the David Hughes Leisure Centre in Menai Bridge for a 18:30 sign on and 19:00 start. With a few amendments and route diversions we knew it would be a tricky night.
As we were handed the packs, we discovered plenty of NAM’s (Not As Map) and intricate sections not used before. Enough to keep everyone on their toes and the playing field level. We took our time to plot knowing the intricacies could catch us out. A good 15-minute runout let all the crews settle down and get organised. Well, I’ll speak for myself anyway.
The symbols started just off Rhiwen with a slot left straight after the petrol station. We were soon weaving our way on and off the red (A4244) and this being prime dud location. It was a short first section finishing with a tricky narrow slot right through the big rock in Brynrefail before the reroute back up to Deiniolen. A relatively straight forward start with a tricky tight right before the chapel leading us back to Deiniolen. With the first NAM scrapped due to re-route and Sion taking a new tactic for the second NAM with some Google Map instructions it was time to be patient. We turned left down on Lon Tai Castell and proceeded cautiously, we were looking for a right and missed. Headlights were coming from where we needed to be. With no room to turn around we decided to take the loop again. It was narrow and tricky but as soon as we were in, the Google Maps directions read beautifully. We were soon out back on the main road and a right between some houses and a white on the left and we were heading north. A quick NAM on the right lead to some symbols and we were on our way.
A lucky stop to let a car pass between NAM 3 and 4 and we discovered the shortest route was not plotted and a quick retrace of our steps lead us back on the breadcrumbs. We were soon at NAM 4 which required some legwork as Mrs Jones had parked in front of the entrance and Merf decided to park what felt at the time like 2 miles down the road. NAM 5 and 6 followed in quick succession and we were at our nemesis - Tregarth. Having gone wrong here before, we went the right way this time, doubted ourselves twice, turned around and tried again. A lot of time was lost, and Chris Farrell was on our tail. We worked a clockwise loop which finished at an impossible give way hairpin left in Bethesda and we were off towards Rachub. A couple of symbols picked here and with time to make up we had Will and Cian in front. We worked our way northeast back towards Tal y Bont taking in the A55 underpass along the way. A quick little white and another before Castell Penrhyn led us onto Llandegai ford and coming out on Bangor High Street.
A quick dash around the one way past the railway station and up to Morrisons lead us onto NAM 7. A tricky one tacking in narrow back streets past Pontio and an extra little loop to catch you out if you weren’t paying attention. After this another quick dash down to the pier. Give way go left and we were heading back up Ffordd Siliwen toward the finish venue at the Menai Hotel & Bar. A few no-entries a one-way section and a ticking clock made this section crucial. We were glad to see Sion at the end signalling to a car park space. Tales were shared and a good night was had. Thank you to Lee and Sion and the C&A team for organising these events.
RESULTS
1. Merfyn Williams / Iwan Jones; Ford Focus – 86 points.
2. Will Hughes / Cian Jones; Volkswagen Amarok – 85 pts.
3. Emyr Owen / Duncan Littler; Skoda Octavia – 83 pts.
4. Yvonne Matthews / John Evans; Volvo C30 – 82 pts.
5. Iwan Evans / Sioned Evans / Erin Williams; Ford Focus – 75 pts.
6. Jill Clarke / Paul Clarke; Audi A4 – 71 pts.
7. Robin Jones / Sion Jones; Ford Focus – 70 pts
8. Geraint Jones / Cameron Haselgrove / Matthew Haselgrove; Suzuki Swift – 66 pts.
9. Winnie Chen / Gabby Tsantanis / Catherine Thomas; VW Golf – 56 pts.
10. Stephen McEnhill / Simon Drakley; Mini – 55 pts.
11. Chris Farrell / Cain Farrell; BMW – 53 pts.
12. Elis Matthews / Matthew Henry; Nissan Micra – 52.5 pts.
Maximum possible score = 88 points.
Thank you to The Menai Hotel & Bar and David Hughes Leisure Centre for the use of their facilities.
Many thanks to Sion Matthews for organising the event and to Lee Matthews, Endaf Davies and Dafydd Edwards for assisitng.
Information
This will be the third Navigation Run of the seasons and organised by Sion Matthews and team.
Navigation Runs are ideal for learning to plot a route and read a map, and provide good practice for anyone aspiring to compete in a road rally anytime soon.
The start venue is the David Hughes Leisure Centre, Menai Bridge, LL59 5SS, at the rear of Ysgol David Hughes - Ordnance Survey map 114 (Anglesey/Ynys Môn), reference 547 723. what3words location ///airbase.prayers.germinate.
Sign on and route handouts at 19.00 hours. Finish at 22.00 hours.
You will require O.S. Map 115 (Snowdon / Yr Wyddfa), plus the usual navigation aids of poti, romer, pen/pencil, etc. Sign on from 18.30 hours; route handouts at 19.00 hours.
Drivers and navigators need a valid club membership. Renew or join at Membership Application
