Just to clarify I love Spen and Horsforth Trials and we have been doing them for a number of years.
Now Tips on both venues
Get there about 15 mins before the start and have a look at how to enter, who is the secretary and where the entry forms are. Saves time later on. You'll also get an insight into the bikes, the best way to carry them and the best gear to wear.
At both wear a good pair of boots. The Stalwarts is muddy off the old Railway line and you may have to cross a stream or boggy ground to get a good view. If you are taking kids make sure they understand that the bikes can hurt them and the best places to stand to avoid getting tangled up. Most riders have children of their own so are tolerent. And be careful not to get in the way in the sections. Even the riders fall foul of this one!
At Both Venues it is possible to park on the road rather than use the field. If you aren't used to parking in fields,(especially at this time of year!!), or haven't a 4x4 it might be best to do this until you know what you are getting into . The last Stalwarts had parking in the owners yard.
At the Stalwarts there is an old railway line embankment that follows the course. However most sections are at the bottom of the banks either side so you may have to negotiate the slopes to get a better view. Sections usually go anti clockwise or clockwise from section one up one side of the embankment to the Railway tunnel(shut off so no problem), and back down the track bed and around a wooded area before coming back over the bank. (that's anti clockwise, turn it around if the course is running clockwise).
Deer Park is more of a escarpment venue. It's mainly rocks in a shallow incline. It's only boggy in places and the initial sections tend to be closer to the car parking and road than the Stalwarts. Usually the section numbers increase going away from the car park and at least two can be seen from one vantage point. Hence once you get to the last section it's a blast back to section 1.
Both clubs are very friendly and you'll see a variety of bikes old and new. You can join the club there abd get your ACU form stamped ready for sending off.
Whichever one you go to make sure you are warm and enjoy it!!