The usual eight section
s were set out on the Saturday by Chris, Scott and James Dark and Colin Don, with an eye on the forecast for a very wet Sunday and with the knowledge that a number of Club riders were moving up a route for the New Year.
A good turn out of 32 riders braved the rain for what turned out to be a really enjoyable day.
Section one saw all but the yellow route riders dropping into the stream down a steep bank - this was a test of nerve as it looked far worse than it rode. Stan Metcalf, on his elderly Triumph Cub, despite bottoming out the front suspension only lost 1 here all day. On the blue route a few high scores on lap 1, missing gates being the main reason, then nearly everyone was clean on the following laps. Ben Alway managed a couple of cleans here on laps 3 and 4.
Section two saw the blue route riders drop down into the stream, cross the stream and finish up a steep bank. Despite a few high scores on lap 1, riders got better as the day went on with all but Rob Edwards, (who had a dab), cleaning the section on lap 4. Reds had a downhill start across some roots then into the stream. Mark Alway on his trusty TY175 lost 1 here on lap 4 to break his run of cleans.
Section 3 was into the stream, some tight turns and exit up a relatively shallow but greasy bank. Pete Jenkins steadily improved here as the day went on cleaning laps 3 and 4, but being caught out for 2 on lap 5. For Scott Dark and Stuart Read this section proved harder as the day went on with Scott cleaning lap 1 but having a 5 on lap 3!
Section 4 saw riders drop into the stream, up the bank and down into the stream again to finish either over roots and up the bank or through the stream and a greasy turn to finish. This was the bogey section for the red route with most people dropping dabs here. Fin Reynolds did get a clean on laps 2 and 3. Chris Dark missed the root exit and dropped the bike in the stream, with the venerable SWM drinking a few pints of water which caused Chris to retire - looks like a strip down for the SWM!
Section 5 had greasy turns for the yellow route and the stream, banks and greasy finish for the other routes. This section got better as the day went on with only Stuart Hescott dropping 1 on lap 5 with all the other blue route riders clean.
Section 6 was a drop into the stream, then up the stream, over the rocks, up a bank and over a log to finish. As the day went on the water level here rose 3-4 inches as the stream filled with the steady rainfall. Despite the depth of water Trevor Howell riding the blue route at Club trials for the first time was clean on lap 5. Grace and James Dark, also riding blue route for the first time had cleans here, with Grace only dropping 1 dab here on lap 4. Keith Cross on reds cleaned by lap 5.
Section 7 saw riders cross the stream to finish on a greasy bank and turn. Ben Edwards had cleans on laps 1, 3 and 5 riding the red route. Mike Husband riding the inter route (white/blue) cleaned here on lap 4. Antony Read managed to get stuck in the mud and needed assistance to get his leg out - for those who don't know Antony, he has a false right leg which relies on suction to keep it in place. Lucky for him it was while walking the stream and not riding it got stuck!
Section 8 was over some roots, down the bank and into the stream, some tight turns then over the stream again, then up the bank to finish over a pair of logs at right angles to each other. Good rides here by Tom Charman, Gordon Cumberland and Stan Metcalf to name a few. Alan Stanley was clean here but dropped a slack 2 on the final lap.
A really good day was had by all, the sections rode well considering the weather conditions.
I would like to thank the laying out team, and also all riders for their patience with the parking. Improvements to the car park are planned in the future. Thaks also to Carol and Grace Dark for signing on.
Our next Club trial is at Reel Hall Farm on the 23 February start time 11am. This will be the last time RRND Club ride here as the land is to be sold, which is a real shame to lose such a great Winter venue. Please come along and enjoy a last ride here.
Colin Don