Report Ken O'Brien
Heavy overnight rain and cold winds had ceased and so the the sun shone once again on the righteous for Oxford's Good Friday Trial at Steeple Hill Folly Farm Beckley.
This was the venue for Ixions 3rd and penultimate club champs round where a good entry of 50 plus riders set off to tackle 10 sections four times with a mix of mud roots climbs ditches and rocks that sorted an outright winner in each class.
It was a close run thing in the 50/50 Hard-Middle route class with only 3 marks separating the the top three riders.
Eventual winner Ian Watts 300 Beta lost 26 marks although incurring a maximum penalty at section eight third lap the now infamous Rocky Stream, which included a 10 yard muddy ditch crossing before lining up for the gully, there were only a scattering of cleans here on any route all day and so it made for an exciting section for the observer and gathered crowd.
Ian's travelling companion over from the Midland Centre was Phil Ducker who finished on 27 points piloting the 250 Gasser around the long lap course to take runner-up spot in comfort.
Phil was good on section ten, a sixty yard blast from low in the field to get to flat out in third as was required to get to dry land before a series of steep and winding cambers.
Adrian Steele 250 Beta aced the middle Yellow route taking best Clubman on 8 lost a meagre one point ahead of Martyn Wilmore 300 Beta over from the Swindon club.
Section nine 'Axford's Gully ' was tough, a water splash leading to a polished-up camber then a fast flowing stream with rocks and roots after which a heavily rooted turn had to be navigated, Steele had a steadying prod last lap after three excellent cleans.
Joe Pusey was best Youth C on the middle route with Riley and Freddie Middlehurst also having a good day in the youth classes, unfortunately machine gremlins were causing them delays so opted to take fives so their scores weren’t a true reflection of their ability on the day.
The ever popular 50/50 Middle-Easy route was aced up today by Freddie Davidson with a loss of 14.
Section seven was a tad different his time with a pair of begins and a pair of ends with a few pegs to keep you on the intended line, this one route fits all worked well, starting down the wood a 100 yard or so muddy gully had to judged to perfection.
Freddie had it weighed up at least for the first three laps then a lapse of concentration whilst flat out in fourth not realising a big root had been uncovered towards the end of section with rider having no option other than to bale-out into the undergrowth.
On the White Eased Course pre-race favourite Simon Dowling had a splendid ride with a loss of 8 marks.
Simon cleaned every section but not every lap and sub six first visit took a prod, it was down the woods where a really open but nadgery section had been plotted to take a few from the unsuspecting.
Robert Bremner headed home the Pre-65 brigade with a great ride on the beautifully prepared Ariel HT3, Rob losing 6 with BSA Bantam mounted Keith Baty not too far behind.
Both machines could be heard echoing through the woods as they caned the Big Hills of section three the 'The Verandah'.
Many thanks to all who helped on the day.