The trial was held in woodland, which offered some cover from the heat; my main concern for the day was would my 5000-gallon water supply last the event. Well it did but only just, my stomach was massive at the end of the trial after drinking so much water and I went home felling really ill and bloated. Anyway, back to my new camera, the first couple of test pictures appeared dark when I looked at them the on LCD screen. Fortunately an expert was on hand ‘Gary Roberts’ to explain I was under exposing the shots “try slowing the camera down a bit, he said”. The results were transformed and I hope as time goes on I will be able to produce some really good photographs. Thanks Gary for the advice. Now that I’m on the subject of camera’s and photographs if any of you readers would like to submit any of your photo’s that you think would look the good on our website or even on the front page, please send them to our web enquiries email link. The best pictures if on the same league as the present one of Lee Brocklehurst front page may replace that awesome pic, but if they are not up to that standard we can add them to the photo library.

The start to the trial commenced with a short ride to section 1. Robert went first and cleaned the section for what appeared to me as challenging and determined ride. Gary was next up but was unlucky to miss place himself within the section and had to do some footing work to have the bike back on line and three marks lost. I was up next and made one big mistake on the left uphill turning climb but managed to squeeze out of the section for a one. Section 2 I made a really big mistake but until I see the results I ain’t saying nothing!!!! Section 3 started with a short climb turning left, a quick short drop and then back up again, no problems with this section but I got lazy on lap four and lost a mark. Section 4 was difficult because Gary, Robert and myself were the first riders through, the cambers and slopes were un-worn and the section was rather choppy pushing the bike around, cost me a mark or two with Gary and Robert clean again. What a big surprise on lap two this section was, all you had to do was follow the tram line like path through the section and take your clean. Section 5 had the team debating the route with the marshal and we all agreed a tougher line was what the clerk of the course intended. All three of us cleaned the section on every lap and Robert decided to use the section for jumping practise on the exit log. “crazy dude”. Section 6 I managed to stall the bike to the delight of Robert and Gary, “don’t say anything you two”. Section 7 you rode straight in through the start gate loop around a tree and then drop down for the exit gate, really easy “did have some nice looking lady marshals, so the section wasn’t that bad”. Section 8 cost me half a dozen marks with its winding snake type route. I’ve got to say this 'intermediates ride a tighter and harder line than novices and it was clear to Robert, Gary and myself that some of the looping other intermediates were getting away with on some of the sections is not what you would call a fair game of cricket. Section 9 started with a nice fat log with the inters having the option to ride between the white cards, I think I lost may be one mark trying to exit this section with Robert and Gary may have gone clean – come to think of it Robert did lose a mark! Section 10 was a very easier up and downhill climb and I cleaned this section on every lap.

A big thank you to the Talmag club and the marshals, also thanks goes to the landowner.