Maj Anthony Myers AGC ( SPS ) | G8 – SO2 BUDGETS

Ex ARRCADE REMEMBRANCE 2023 was a two-day multiactivity Adventurous Training package which took place in the Lake District National Park over this year ’ s Remembrance weekend . It gave participants the chance to practice their navigation skills in the Borrowdale Valley and test their nerve whilst mountain biking in Whinlatter Forest . We also had the chance to remember the service and sacrifice of all those who have defended our freedoms and protected our way of life when we visited the memorial to Borrowdale men killed in World War 1 which sits at the top of Castle Crag .

Day 1

After travelling north up the M6 on Friday night and spending the night in a YHA Hostel we woke up to an absolutely beautiful day . When planning this exercise , I expected a weekend full of clouds and rain but instead found bright blue skies and a brilliant sunshine which put us all in a great mood . We travelled from our hostel to Whinlatter Valley to pick up our mountain bikes and then WO2 William Watson , our instructor , started the pain train . After giving us a 2-minute taster of going downhill , he then decided that we should spend the next 45 minutes constantly going uphill to get the longest possible downhill run . This was not all too welcome first thing on a Saturday morning when most people were just starting to enjoy their morning coffee . It was made even worst by the groups of middle-aged men in Lycra who were sailing passed us on their power assisted E-Bikes . However , the view from the top on this clear day was even more enjoyable after the effort put in to get there . And the first big

run down the mountain was completed in a more than reasonable time with no injuries , which is always a winner when you are the leader of the activity .

After a CILOR ( Cash in Lieu of Rations ) funded cold lunch and a credit card funded coffee we hit the mountain trails again . On this run , WO2 Watson took the time to improve aspects of our riding and build our confidence in our own abilities , allowing us to push ourselves that little bit further and go that little bit faster . After around 20km of mountainous riding we called it a day for the bikes and spent the rest of the afternoon exploring some trails on foot and enjoying the sun and clear skies .

Day 2 ( Sunday )

TTo make the most of the second day , unfortunately it was necessary to have a 0530hrs start . The clear skies of day 1 were due to be replaced with rainfilled clouds by 1400hrs so the decision was made to get up early and make the most of the dry weather . Maj Lee Kuizinas fuelled everybody up with his famous porridge oats and we set off for the top of Castle Crag - in the dark to really test our navigation skills . We made it to the top in good time with only one minor navigation error and we were able to pay our respects at the war memorial ahead of the crowds at sunrise . On our way down we came across Millican Dalton ’ s Cave . This was a cave in which the self-styled “ Professor of Adventure ” lived for 50 years , living a frugal life and enjoying lots of adventures in the Lake District .

The rest of day 2 was spent trying to get as many runs downhill on the mountain bikes as we could before the rain rolled through . After we had built confidence in both our own ability and the quality of the mountain bikes , we set a couple of PBs down the hill and WO2 Watson was impressed by the increased speed and willingness of participants to attempt jumps .

Conclusion

Ex ARRCADE REMEMBRANCE 23 was a successful small scale Adventurous Training package which proved that you can achieve the aims of AT in a short time period without having to travel to the far-flung corners of Europe .