Oxford Ixion Trial - Lower Ridings Results / Comments

[steve]

Hi,

Anyone else on here enter the Oxford Ixion Trial last Sunday at Lower Ridings?

I was wondering if there were any results available for the Trial yet as I haven't been emailed any.

Also wondering what other riders thought of the Trial?

I haven't ridden a Trial at this club for many years and have recently returned from a 10 year break. Although the club is in my centre it was still a 1 1/2 drive for me and I was a little disappointed with the event.

I will try to explain what I didn't like and please remember that this is only my opinion and I am still very grateful for all the organisers and observers for giving up their time to put on the Trial.

My biggest gripe was double subs. The trial had 16 sections, 3 laps - all double subs.

In some instances a double sub is necessary. Perhaps 2 sections in a stream where queuing would be impossible between them necessitates a double sub. Or where observers are in very short supply.

However on Sunday most (not all) subs had their own observer. All the subs were in woodland with ample space for queues. Because of the double subs though there were very long queues at many sections. On several occasions I counted over 20 riders waiting at a section. On one occasion on the last lap I queued so long I had to use choke to restart the bike as the engine was stone cold !!

The second thing I think could be better was the marking of the sections. There were no pegs, only small pieces of paper stapled to trees / logs. They didn't use different colours for left / right either. Hard route was red, middle route white and easy was blue.

I think the ACU should insist on a standard format for marking sections out. Most clubs use Red / Blue markers with variations for the easier routes where necessary.

On more than one occasion I glanced up to see a red card and instinctively wanted to ride to the left of the card. Another point is when riding I tend to look down at the ground ahead of my front wheel as I'm sure most riders do. It's not easy to spot a marker half way up a tree!

On one particular double sub there were so many white pieces of paper stapled to all the trees it was so difficult to see where to ride. I witnessed several riders passing the wrong side of a marker and on the 3rd lap there was 2 clear paths worn on the ground either side of the tree where a marker was. I never was 100% sure which side to go (I don't think the observer was either as he was cleaning riders that went either way!!)

I think for the standard of rider present at the trial the severity wasn't too far off. (Though I haven't seen any results yet) I personally chose the wrong route but that was no fault of the clubs! The organisers and riders were very friendly and there was a good entry so the club can't be doing too much wrong. I hope my comments will be taken as constuctive critism.

What do you think? Agree, disagree? Perhaps I am out of order for daring to comment?

[pete_scorpa3]

I've just got back from our club meeting and a couple of our members rode in this event.

Coincidentaly, they both mentioned the issue of double subs and the subsequent queues, however they also said that the section severity, organisation and the venue were really good.

For our club trials, I always put in one or two double sections as it means that I need to find less observers, if (IF) I manage to get enough volunteers then I do put two people on the double, if I don't get enough (which is often the case) then I don't have to scrap the section as one observer can do both.

[jammiemills]

I rode at this trial aswell on sunday, the lower ridings trial. There was a fair bit of queueing i agree, but sometimes it is how it is. The section markers comment which you left about them not having a right and left marker, different clubs have a different way of laying trials out, so it just depends on what club you are riding with. Like the club im a member off, has blue for easy, red for the middle route then white for the hard route, so it just depends on where your riding really. Also i agree, they are a very friendly club which is run by the Faulkners, they always put on good events with "THERE OWN" marker colours, thanks for a good event faulkners. Cheers J

[steve]

I'm glad you enjoyed your day Jamie. I see you had a good ride. Well done.

Do you know why the club uses double subs on every section?

You mentioned your club uses different colours. The point I'm trying to make is why can't all clubs mark the same? Imagine if road markings, signs or traffic lights changed as you drove around the country. How confusing would that be!!

This of course is not the fault of the Oxford Ixion club.

I wonder if there are any recommendations from the ACU on marking?

[motorcycleemptyness]

Great trial - no complaints , finished by 2pm , whats the problem ? Ride in five centers like i do , you'll get used to all the different route marking systems.

8 double subs is like 16 sections , never gonna get 16 observers (we had 10).usually lucky to get 5 .

Keep up the good work Kendo , Gordon and all !

[manwithtool]

Well I throw in my views....

Not a big fan of double subs...I forget too easily where I'm going, and it causes bigger queues. But on the other hand Oxford Ixion have always use double subs and it makes a change. Severity of sections was spot on, no rain for a change ! and as someone else said, all finished before 2pm. I like the earlier start time ! Bit of ground is pretty good, and they often have a graded hill climb which my son loves ( not this time though).

Always seem to enjoy their trials, bit of a trek for us to go but always worth the effort.

As for the markers....just keeps yo on your toes !