Snowy start to 2022

Sunday saw us holding our first trial of 2022 at Rogerley Quarry in Weardale.

Marking out on the Saturday had been wet and windy We had good support with our marking out team and got 10 sections in as well as a conducted route. We also put in a blue route (50% white / 50% clubman) for those who fancied more of a challenge but don't want to injure themselves. It seemed to have been well received and enjoyed by the majority of people. A few tweaks needed for the next time we try it.

Sunday had a sunny start with blue skies and a rainbow, but the waterproof trousers were on just in case. They were needed! Snow, sleet, wind, sun. We had all four seasons. I was very grateful for the observers who turned up to help us out, thank you, and John Featherstone who gave up his ride to help us out.

The conducted route saw 11 riders take to the challenge in tricky conditions. The medium course was won by Arthur and the easy course was won by Ed.

As for the main trial, the white route saw two riders, Oliver Smith and Chris Robinson finish on 26 but Oliver took the win with most cleans. Richie Matthews was not far behind on his new vertigo dropping 28.

Mike Minns took the win by 8 marks on the new blue route dropping 19. Ian Cheetham finished second with Stephen Turnbull a close third, only 1 mark behind.

The clubman route was taking plenty of marks but Gary Younghusband took a clear win dropping only 20 marks. Darren Fowler took second place with 36 marks and Nathan Hanley finished third on 49.

Philip Baxter on his pride and joy, SWM, took the win on the green route with 34 marks dropped. James Black was a close second on 38 marks and third was young Joe Wray on 56 marks who's riding is improving all the time.

Joe's older brother Alec Wray took the expert route win on 64 marks with Callum Fowler in second on 80 marks. Sections two and ten seemed to be causing the most bother.

Thank you to the landowners, organisers and observers!

Our next trial will be at Lambshield on 27th March.