A superb autumn day with bright sunshine greeted the sixty solo riders and five sidecar crews who turned out to contest the latest Dead Easy Trial organised by the Manchester 17 MCC. The club is blessed with spectacular venues in and around the Peak District and Harrat Grange Farm near Peak Forest is no exception.
The course plotting team set out the usual format of four laps of ten sections. Four were set out at the far end of the course in the old quarry whilst the remaining six were a mixture of turns, climbs and drops on grassy banks with a few rocks thrown in for good measure. The team endeavoured to put in different routes and variations to those used before.
The sidecars had a mixture of sections exclusively for them and some shared with the solos. On the Harder Route five riders kept their feet up all day but after the “famous five” there was a big spread of marks lost demonstrating the wide range of abilities at these events. Similarly on the Easy Route four riders went clean with again a wide spread of marks further down the order.
On the sidecar Harder route Toby Eyre and passenger Kiris’ winning run was ended by the Bert White/ John Rowson pairing with John Stanley and passenger Paul Thomas heading the Easy Route. J
ust a word about these events, they are run with the purpose of providing an entry into the sport for absolute beginners, and for those just wanting an easy day out without risking life or limb. Ages range from five to eighty two, with every variety of machine appearing at one time or another. The average entry proves the appeal of these events. Thanks to everyone who worked hard to put the trial on.
Report: Roger Townsend