My first time up north somewhere off the M1 near a town called Matlock. That was the venue for the first round of the ymsa trial. As we turned off the motorway at j28 and headed towards Matlock the land did look a bit on the flat side, I did say to gazza at the time 'you sure about this' we've just driven 240 mile to ride on a flat piece of land , could have done that on my doorstep and saved the journey. (how wrong was I!!!)

As we drove through Matlock and out the other side it was suddenly obvious that every section could be a graded hill of giant proportions, and if you don't like rocks don't even bother thinking about riding in Derbyshire. Rocks Rocks and bloody great big rocks, they were everywhere from the sizes of houses down to the size of Eds Nackers (grain size) and very slippery.

Having arrived miles to early getting up the M1 quicker then we thought Sprinter at flat out speed all the way we did have an hour or so to look around the town and make notes on the quickest route to the A&E dept just for reference purposes, just in case we tore the odd limb off or impaled ourselves onto our bikes. Would have looked good at the A&E reception 'excuse me doctor could you remove my bikes foot peg from my neck before I faint' thanks.

Having rode the first few sections with Gary & Edmondo it wasn't all that bad which meant I could take my heart out of my mouth and get on with it. Having made the mistake of glimpsing at a few sections before the start and trying to fathom out the different marker cards (flags) system without the aid of a flag translator it was all being translated Pete Tong. 'up there your Joking!!'. Over that! Yeah right. I'm booking a place in that hospital now. I thought you could read these damn flags Gary? Gary & Ed both looking confused (which doesn't take much) walking around sections 1 to 7 couldn't really work it out where anything went, but should luck have it some nice chap explained to us retarded southerners the inter route and the way the flags worked. Blue flag on yer left and red on yer right and then follow any yellow diversions. All seems far to complicated to me, why not just use cards with blue gates and reds ect far more simple then those flags on metal pegs that fall over when you breeze past them and caused me two fives or more. Most annoying! Did I ever mention I hate bloody flags.

Most of the entry seemed to be youth about 80% so that made me feel really old, and Gary, well he should be getting his bus pass soon!

The sections were fantastic the best I have ever ridden but I did struggle on sections 3, 4 & 6. but that was basically down to my lack of ability to ride over rocks without head butting the handlebars and also having difficulty in getting my fat ankles through the narrow gaps in the rocks. Also I was suffering from Van Lag from the tedious journey up so I wasn't in the best of physical or mental fitness to ride these simple looking sections. they only looked simple when some young 13yr old comes along on a gassa 125 and makes me look like a novice, these kids are so good bouncing from rock to rock with so much skill it made me think of giving up and going down the pub for the rest of the day and sticking the bike in the car park with a for sale notice on it.

It was good to see a few faces from the Southeast shandy-drinking centre. Jamie Burroughs, Ben Wibberley, Nicky Downland, Eddie flat out Roberts, little Morthet, just a few names to mention. Jamie, Ben, Eddie & Nicky were riding the expert class which was bloody brave or mad as they were very extreme and I did see them have a few good rides but did also see them dragging there bikes off the top of skyscraper size rocks. Made our inter route look pansy compared to what they had to ride. So I take my hat off to them for having a go at them god damn mental sections. they got where I didn't think a trials bike could go.

Even spotted young Chris Stay from the Isle of Wight taking a painful tumble and landing on a sharp rock. OUCH!! And that was in between sections. dad on hand to put the pieces back together and it wasn't long before Chris was back on his bike and doing what he does best. Sorry to the isle of wight posse if we didn't chat, was to busy trying to get round in one bit and getting pics at the same time, was miles away most of the time thinking of the long journey back. I know you lot wouldn't hang around anyway. Even longer journey then us and having to catch the ferry as well, that's dedication. See you lot at round 2 or at our trial in April at coopers wood if you make it.

It might seem likes its not worth making the trip up north by the looks of my write-up, but take my word for it, IT IS!!!!

The land is amazing the best land you will ever see, the event is run like clockwork, and the YMSA have these events organised down to a tee. Apart from the flags that is. It is advisory to watch a few riders through first just to get to know the correct route and make sure you don't fart as you pass a flag as it might fall over! Come on its only 2 and a half hours away. make the journey you won't regret it!!

Thanks goes to all the marshals the YMSA and the Kilhams for a great event. We will be back for round 2 so see you there.

fleety

ps:did you know these mad northerners name there pets after trials products. some bloke calls his dogs clice and hebo,

na sorry thats just mad mad mad.