Macclesfield Trial 18 Oct 2009

The Macclesfield Trials Club recently ran the second round of the Kelcoat club Championship at Rough Heys quarry near Macclesfield. The usual club format of 3 routes, saw 85 riders signed on to ride by the 10.30 start. The recent dry weather continued during the day and dust in the sections was a new hazard at a Macclesfield trial in October!!!

Four laps of 10 sections was the challenge, although the easy route missed the hill climb at section 7. Expert route winner Mike Roberts nearly came to grief on this section on his last lap, near the top of the steep climb his bike began to run out of petrol, however with the bike coughing and spluttering he somehow got out for a clean and finished the day an easy winner. Terry Craig buzzed his 125 Gas Gas round for second spot, keeping Gavin Black and his lovely sounding Montesa back in 3^rd place. Best Youth Tom Stewart finished a respectable 4^th overall on this route.

The scores were pretty close on the 50/50 hard route with the exception of Mike Leddy who showed all the younger riders how it should be done, as the lone over 40 rider you could say he was in a class of his own. Section 8 was tough, tight turns, little grip and very steep, double figures were the order of the day.  A dozen marks covered the top 7 riders in the intermediate class, leading the way was Terry Sheppard riding his immaculate Raga Replica.

On the most popular middle route competition was fierce. Leading over 50 rider, Andy Foot rode his beautiful Repsol Montesa to the overall win. Henry Rosenthal and Ken Roberts completed the podium. The youngsters in the over 40 class were lead by Phil Turner, his new 2010 Gas Gas performing faultlessly. Novice winner Mike Renshaw, got the better of Mike Finch on the most cleans tie decider.

The easy route was a victory for the not so new bikes. Francis Barnet mounted Leigh Hutchinson triumphed on the 50/50 route, whilst Steve Blackburn used his slightly newer 349 Montesa to good effect on the easy route.

Post trial, the butty wagon did brisk business with many smiling faces enjoying the banter. Mike Roberts divulged the secret of his success, bacon, egg and sausage butty with plenty of sauce!!!

The section setters should be congratulated, as every route provided a clear winner without the need for cricket scores in the lower ranks, well done lads.

RESULTS

Hard route.

Expert              M. Roberts  3               T. Craig  19                  G. Black  21

Best youth        T. Stewart  35

50/50 route

Over 40           M. Leddy  23

Inter                 T. Sheppard  47           C. Granby  48              R.Willies  48

Best youth        J. Stewart  49

Middle route 

Over 40           P. Turner  8                  D. Watson  10              L/ Elliott  10

Over 50           A. Foot  7                    H. Rosenthal  11           K. Roberts  22

Novice             M. Renshaw  28           M. Finch  28                T. Ancliff  29

Easy route

50/50 easy middle        L. Hutchinson  15         T. Pratt  23       J. Wilson  26

Easy                             S. Blackburn  2            A. Castle  5      R. Blackburn  5

Best youth                    J. Chambers  14