Constantial Sunday
The first trial of the season got under way at Constantia in ideal trials conditions- a little overcast and cool. All the sections were relatively easy, as I knew just about all the riders had not been doing any practise during the off-season. I was also glad about this as I was getting over a back injury. I also knew that there were not going to be too many riders for various reasons. As it turned out there were only seven including newcomer Ryan Altern, who has bought Kay Petersen’s Montessa. Hans Klein’s Yamaha TY 175 was looking very smart with it’s new tank and seat combination and mudguards but unfortunately it was not running very well, which led to his retirement after the first lap. Although it was his first trial, Ryan decided to do the clubman’s sections, and coped very well until the perennial river section, which I think may have been a bit much for him. I heard he also dropped the bike somewhere and decided to retire at the end of the first lap. He is very keen though and will be back for the next trial.
I was out for the first time on my “new “ 2005 Gas Gas 280 Pro, which I bought from Mike D’Aguir in January. It is really just a development of my 2001 model, but it is lighter and more responsive and generally nicer to ride. The first section, which was new for the John Fulcher Trial last year, was used again, only this time it was made into two consecutive sections exiting near the main path that runs into the forest. It remains a really good section and I’m sure we will continue to get more use out of it in the future.
The other sections were mostly in amongst the trees with off camber turns and the odd log being the predominant feature. The only significantly different section was the already mentioned river section that was in good condition. There was just a trickle of water in it and many well deserved cleans were achieved here. Section eight was on the return part of the course and involved a steeper climb than the others with a few rocks which seemed to be taking more and more marks as the trial progressed and riders were starting to tire.
Tim Jordan’s Gas Gas has been out of action for some time waiting for gearbox spares. These arrived during the week and he put it all back together only to find that he could only select third gear. He gamefully rode the bike like that anyway and was inevitably rewarded with third place.
Results:
|
EXPERTS
|
Total
|
Position
|
|
Brian Barson
|
14
|
1
|
|
Deon De Villiers
|
35
|
2
|
|
Tim Jordan
|
37
|
3
|
|
CLUBMEN
|
|
|
|
Roddy Mills
|
35
|
1
|
|
Jorge Cardosa
|
46
|
2
|
Thanks to The Ramsden family for the use of the venue and to all the riders for helping collect the markers.
As the next event falls on the Easter weekend, I will be sending out an e-mail to find out whether to change the date or not. The event will probably be at Conterman’s kloof, but this and the date will be confirmed later.
Brian.
