With a record breaking 150 riders it was a busy start to 2014 for the organisers. 12 sections had been laid out the previous day by a larger than normal setting out crew - an encouraging start for what is to be another busy year for the club. 3 laps or 4 was the question on Saturday evening but there was no doubt 3 would be enough as the 150th rider signed on - 3 laps would be plenty to keep the club officials busy till dusk.
Richard Timperley was the clear outright winner on the hard route with a loss of 22 on a far from easy course . Section 4 looked the most spectacular with a slippery muddy climb with an equally slippery approach finished by a jump over a horizontal tree branch but Richard lost just 2 here . Section 6 was the hardest of the day with a huge gripless climb, turn and descent followed by a evil cambered exit to the ends cards which were passed only 6 times by the entire expert entry.
The 50/50 Hard/middle route was well supported and a bit of a Welsh affair with best Int going to Robert Wild on 34 some 23 points in front of second place man Matt Treweek. Gaz Hinton put to one side his concerns about getting sunburnt and made the trip worth while by taking best O/40+ just infront of the Robertson brothers from Rochdale. Toby Eyre on 23 came close to recording the best ride on the middle route in the trial in which the overall winner receives the Len Eyre ( Toby's sadly missed Granddad) Trophy - a very commendable ride on his Twin-shock Yam.Toby was just pipped to best performance by John Fearn - best Novice, John Walker - best O/50 both on 21 and on 22 Best O/40 Colin Bowers.
Best middle/easy route rider was 4 stroke mounted Andy Atkinson with another “cheeky little win” .
On the very popular easy route with an entry of 44 riders it was Ian Bryceland who took top spot on 39 just beating veteran Mike Kelly on 43 and Andy Grimes on 45 in a close 3rd place . Best youth on this route was Tom Shepherd.
Due to a clash of dates the March trial is cancelled and the next and Final Kelcoat round is on the 20th April.