Manchester 17 MCC's good intentions to put on an extra Dead easy Trial last Sunday backfired somewhat with very bad weather on the day and competing events leading to a disappointedly low entry of just seventeen riders. To compound the day, the overnight rain made the going, particularly in between sections in the wooded areas far worse than anticipated, even allowing for the forecast when setting out. All this meant that the trial was anything but "Dead Easy".
Despite all this there were only two retirements and praise must be given to the ten Youth C and D riders, four of whom were on electric bikes, who never gave up and despite having to struggle many times, all completed the course. Heroes all of them, plus of course the Dads who looked more worn out at the end than the kids!
Most of the ten sections were set out in a long tree lined gully, made up of turns on grassy banks under trees, and mud in abundance. The going in between a couple of the sections cut up so bad that Club President Ken Roberts wielded a spade trying to cut a better way through and relieve some of the water! Well done Ken!
On the Harder Route, Arthur Austin ran out a clear winner with a loss of only one mark which given the conditions was a superb ride. Peter Lakin was next on fourteen, with Matthew Hopkins completing the top three on eighteen marks lost.
On the "not so Easy Route" young Christopher Douglas on his little Gas Gas came out on top losing forty four marks in the process. Ewan White whispered his way to second place on fifty three on the Oset, with another youngster Charlie Davie coming home third on his diminutive Gas Gas losing sixty one marks.
Lilly and Katie Cook, and Molly Barber, all deserve special mention for completing the course in the conditions, particularly Lilly who rode the Hard Route and did very well indeed.
Thanks to the Observers for braving the conditions, and to the riders who supported the event. Hopefully normal service will be resumed at the next Dead Easy event.
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REPORT: Roger Townsend