Trials Blog - Bog Riding
There's something about Yorkshire in the winter time. Without doubt,it's a beautiful part of the world, with an endless supply of gorgeous rolling countryside and stunning views, but the ground offers trials riders a remarkable challenge between the months of December and April - you see, it's part porridge.
No matter how lovely somewhere is, when the rains come the ground seems to want to swiftly turn into a water-logged mud bath as soon as you set foot on it. Imagine then, what happens when a load of trials riders plough their way through a carefully set out course.
This weeks trial was held at a Yorkshire favourite - Parkwood 4x4 Centre in Tong. A venue which is without doubt a Mecca for the off roadist (bikes or cars, they're not fussed). The ground here has superb drainage (usually) but it had rained all day on Saturday and the same was forecast for the following day, so Sunday's trial was going to be a sloppy one.
Horsforth DMC decided (wisely, in my humble opinion) that, in order to satisfy the massive range of riding skills amongst its members, they would set the course out a little differently for the 2011 season, and this was to be the first attempt at doing so. Rather than having a hard course and an easy course and then trying to fumble something together from that for the majority of riders (a course known to members as the 50/50), they would set out 3 dedicated and separate courses; a hard, a clubman and an easy course. The only thing they would share in common would be the start and end gates.
Now, having 2 sets of flags can be daunting when you're trying to weave your way through them, but 3 could have proven to be down-right confusing. On the face of it, and looking at some of the sections, the array of red and blue, yellow and white and orange and green flags was utterly confusing, but once you found your flags and worked out where you had to go, it all worked very well.
Before this weekend I haven't given the setting up of a trials course much thought, I did go and 'help' a few months ago at Heck Gill farm, but didn't really do much other than walk round and have a giggle. I think it's only right to offer a word or two of gratitude here for the lads who willingly give up their Saturdays in order to set out a course so that we can have a ride on Sundays. Most weekends these chaps unselfishly spend hours setting out sections at each venue across the region, and the work they do kind of goes unnoticed and get too little thanks or praise. What they do get is a lot of grief from riders who complain that a course was too hard or two easy, too hilly, too muddy or too dangerous. Getting it right for everyone is a massive challenge, so instead, and I'm sure unusually, I want to offer them a big thank you and a pat on the back for the work they do so that we can just turn up and ride.
On Saturday - and although it was pissing down, I went along with Nige from Trials UK to 'advise' as to whether the sections being set out were easy enough for the beginners, whilst Sam Boocock came along and offered up his opinion for the hard course. Nige, Barry and Graham Smith (a few of the regular course layers mentioned above - although there are plenty more) would lay out the clubman sections. There's far more to it than just throwing a few flags down and the thought that goes into it is significant. Each section was laid out and then, where possible, was tested by Graham to see if it was going to do its job and take a few marks off people.
On Sunday I rode in the trial and through the aforementioned porridge. I won't bore you with the details, but I did OK. I was whooped by Rick (I can't let down the Rick-watch fans) who scored a lowly 8 while I limped home with a respectable but disappointing 21. By the end of the trial, I was covered in muck and shite but had a massive grin on my face. Looking round, it seemed that most other riders were wearing pretty much the same grin.
Having seen the scores, it looks like they got it close to right - it was maybe a little too easy for some on all the sections, but it wasn't far off given that historically, the first trial of the year is the easiest (or did I just make that up?). As expected, the ground cut up in places, but the rain and massive puddles meant no one would go home clean (just as we like it!)
It looks like the move to this 3 course trial was a smart one - cudos for those who suggested this idea as HDMC can now boast that ALL riders of ALL skills from absolute novice to semi-pro can come and have a play and enjoy the trial.
I really am looking forward to the next one.
Nick Said:
Top trial mate, loved it, muddy conditions an all...thanks for the coaching!
Roll on Deer Park, swap the mud for sheep Sh@t !!!