A busy double header weekend for Manchester 17 MCC started with the latest in the series of Dead Easy Trials, preceding the following day's Hipwell road trial. Both trials were in close proximity, based around the Peak district village of Peak Forest. Harrat Grange Farm is a superb venue for a Dead Easy Trial, proving its popularity with another healthy entry of 61 riders.
The sun shone and four laps of ten sections awaited the riders, consisting of twisting climbs and drops on grassy banks, with a bit of limestone thrown in but nothing frightening to deter the audience these trials are intended for.
On the Hard Route, ten riders went clean but there was a very good calibre of riders in this group, and further down the pack, marks lost told a different story. Quite a few who went clean said afterwards they really had needed to concentrate on some of the hazards to avoid a quick dab.
Young Tom Shepherd finally got his clean ride after being so close in the last couple of events. Good to see Steve Ransom back in the saddle after a couple of year's absence following a nasty accident in a trial. The oldest bike in the trial, a 1952 Panther, was ridden by Dales Classic stalwart Henry Gaunt who had a very good ride losing only nine marks on a machine that must a times be a handful.
No clean rides on the Easy Route, best being Nigel Rigg who cast away a couple of dabs. Veteran and stalwart supporter of these events, riding a 1956 James, Alan Critchlow, had a great ride to finish runner up on four marks lost.
Two young ladies on Electric bikes had praiseworthy rides,Ellie Molyneaux, rode round with her Dad, losing a creditable eighteen marks, and Molly Barber not far behind on twenty eight.
Special thanks to the Observers, a full complement makes such a difference. Thank you to the Landowner, and all who made the trial possible.
pdf Download Full Results (23 KB)
Report: Roger Townsend