Contermanskloof
This venue is traditionally used early in the year because the river is still dry after the summer, and there is a lot of scope for sections. Last Sunday Jorge and I set the course in very dry conditions, expecting the same for the trial. I don’t know how much rain there may have been there during the week, but on the day of the trial there was just enough to wet the rocks and make them very slippery. This affected three of the sections. The first one was shortened for the clubmen and they managed to find a skelm line through the reeds that circumvented most of the slippery rocks.
I was the only one in the expert’s class so I left the expert sections as they were.
Robert Sandell was the only rider who may have qualified for the novice sections, and although there were some, he decided to ride the clubmens line instead. He was in fact coping very well on his Beta 80 up to section 8. This section started on one side of a small stream with a few pools in it, crossed the stream and then ended on the other bank. Robert unfortunately needed a dab as he crossed the stream not realising how deep the water was just off the line. He ended up in the water followed by the bike which sucked in water and drowned. Robert survived the ordeal very well though cold and wet. Some quick action had the water emptied out of the Beta and it was soon running again. Robert didn’t have spare riding clothes so he decided not to continue.
Neil Tweddle arrived with a “new” bike- a 1964 Greeves Essex. 250. This bike is in very good condition but had to have a few things done to restore it to trials trim as the previous owner had licenced it for the road. Neil only did a few laps then had to leave early. Another early leaver was newly wedded Ryan Altern who also had other commitments. Last week he was on his honeymoon. Another newcomer was Morgan Riley who rode his first trial. He is a very successful motocross rider and showed considerable promise for trials.
Apart from the fact that the rocks and the score sheets got wet, most riders seemed very pleased with the event as it was fairly challenging. The weather was certainly kinder than it was in town, and for me the event was very enjoyable.
Results:
|
EXPERTS |
Total |
Position |
|
Brian Barson |
14 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
CLUBMEN |
|
|
|
Anton Krause |
19 |
1 |
|
Hans Klein |
29 |
2 |
|
Jorge Cardosa |
30 |
3 |
|
Mark Shearer |
37 |
4 |
|
Morgan Riley |
51 |
5 |
|
Roddy Mills |
68 |
6 |
Thanks to Jorge for all his help with the event.
The next event will be at Spes Bona, subject to confirmation.
Brian
