I'd like to begin by saying that trials riding requires a degree of getting covered in mud, with the emphasis on the word 'covered' you would most probably understand what the conditions were like at Stonegate on this fine November morning.
Lap one was always going to be my best lap, if the weather had not held out on the day I don't think that anyone would have been able to do all four laps. It was the rivers sections on the new Expert White Deviation route that terrified me the most. Section eight began before I even passed the start gate, this section had me writing my last will and testament which had nothing on section nine the next section along the river. I set off in brain-off mode to the roars of come-on cliff you can do it, after passing through the start gate I had a short ten or so feet ride to the death drop, this is best described as a death drop because failing to get down the first six foot drop on a negative steep camber angle and riding across wet clay with no run-off is… well I'll leave that to your own imagination. The next drop and now into the river was a vertical three-foot descent that had my front mudguard forced upwards and into the radiator plastic grill. But, by the grace of god and for some unknown miracle I was clean up to this point, and with my confidence growing and my head expanding made the stupid mistake of allowing my concentration to drop. I finished the section on a three footing my way out.
After messing up section eight and waiting for the rest of MBT to complete the Expert Route we all headed off to section nine. Rob, Ed and myself walked the section together to assess the damage the bikes were going to take and Ed had his mobile set to quick dial 999. I mounted up and passed through the start gate, riding over a fallen tree and looping up and around a thicket bush, my pants beginning to fill as I approached the "Gazzer special" pants staining drop. If I were to clean this descent I would only get one chance to do so. Lady luck wasn't shining over me on my approach and I collided with a tree removing a large piece of bark with my handlebars, bent the front brake disc and went over the bars. The good news was that the incident wasn't caught on camera and my injuries were minimal, however the bikes looked pissed. I decided that I would leave this section uncompleted, Ed on the other hand was on form and gunning for a clean; I think you took a one on this section Ed, but correct me if I'm wrong.
Rob was a tad luckier than me but was well out of shape on the descent as well.
On arrival at section ten I had 'no' front brake and my bottle had gone, I heading back to the car park to straighten out my bike and try to compose myself for the final section. Rob and Ed had already battled their way around this section by the time I returned so I rode my bike through the start gate and stopped to take a five. The second lap was a different matter and all of the river sections were aggressively ridden for an overall enjoyable high scoring day.
Well done to everyone that helped lay out the trial. Thanks also to the guys that helped me straighten out my bike in the car park.
Round three of the BDMCC clubman's championship will be held at Wainscott, the club presentations will also take place on this day. I will be picking up the top honours award so autographs after the photo shoot please. If the Stonegate trial is anything to go by the Wainscott trial in December is goner be wild.
By Cliff Barnett 'MBT'