Manchester 17 MCC have certainly come flying out of the traps following the easing of Covid Restrictions with three trials in six weeks! The latest offering was the second in the series of Dead Easy Trials and this one proved just as popular with a healthy entry of eighty seven riders. Particularly pleasing were thirty two riders on the Dead Easy route, with a lot of youngsters and very new riders taking part, just what these trials are all about.
Bodkin’s Bank is not a venue that has been used a lot but thanks to the efforts of a club working party to clear undergrowth and trees, plus some careful planning, it has opened up new possibilities. As a result ten sections were laid out to be covered four times. The sections consisted of turns on grassy banks, steep shale outcrops, a couple of gullies, and rocks. Section six surprisingly turned out to be one of the hardest sections. Turns up and down banks and round a tree proved harder than intended.
Section ten was a good challenge,tight turns over rocks on a broken down wall. Observed by club stalwart Pete Hallam who had a lot to do with plotting this section, it required concentration if a loss of marks was to be avoided. There were some interesting riders on interesting machines, to prove the point that any machine is suitable for these events. A couple of riders rode trail bikes in readiness for the upcoming long distance Peaky Boulders Trail Bike trial. Andy Hipwell had a great ride on a Yamaha Serrow, to lose only three marks on the Hard route. Henry “Renthal” and Andy Foot waged a private battle on their immaculate restored Bultacos. With no quarter given, Andy came out just ahead on two marks lost to Henry’s six. The main thing was they never seemed to stop having fun all day. Although eight riders went clean on the Harder route, this was not a true reflection on the trial as it was very easy to lose marks on the tricky but sensible sections.
On the Easy Route, Paul Hemsworth was the only rider to stay feet up all day. Well done Paul. Happy smiles all round at the end told the story of another enjoyable event, well done and thank you to all those who worked hard to put the event on, and of course the Observers, without whom it would not be possible.
REPORT: Roger Townsend
