Timber Woods Long Distance Trial

Sunday 30th July 2006

The seventh "Timber Woods Long Distance Trial", named in honour of our late Chairman and President. The event attracts 100+ riders on enduro, trail and trials bikes, both modern and pre-1967

Round 2 of the South Eastern Centre LDT Championship

Results

Event results here (42kb PDF) (updated 2/08/2006)

Team results and SEC ACU LDT Championship standings here (52kb PDF)

You will need Adobe Acrobat Viewer to view these files

Photos

Page 1 of photos from Marge Clarke

Page 2 of photos from Marge Clarke

Page 1 of photos from Matthew Grant Browning

Page 2 of photos from Matthew Grant Browning

Page 3 of photos from Matthew Grant Browning

Photos to come from Mandy Seldon and Jamie Clarke

Reports

Check out this and this thread on the TBM forum for write up's

Matthew Grant Browning

Timber Woods 2006
( One third of the Sidcup Dabbers –minus 1 )

Following last years debacle, ( whereby I achieved 10 miles before a terminal engine problem, and lost Peter Burrell’s phone number, and had to walk back to the start), Peter had offered me a free ride in the 2006 ( thanks to the club for that). I had pledged last year that I would complete the 2006 Timber Woods. So armed with an XR250 ( with the new tyres transplanted from the ill fated 2005 entry) and now with a riding partners John Edwards (12) and Mark Bowden(13) ( who was unable to make it on the day.) I was very optimistic. The weather forecast suggested rain all day and did not disappoint in the early morning.

Having arrived in good time, tummies rumbling and eager for our hunger to be assuaged in the time honoured tradition of bacon rolls from a catering van, we were to be disappointed. (I had the foresight to pack a banana or two). Still we were all set to go at our allotted time.

As the day began the gloomy mist and damp gave way to bright summer sunshine…this is what it’s about I thought. So again up hill and down dale etc. etc. we came to the 1st section. Which looked very straight forward, off I set. Just before the end of the section the observer said something and I ( fool) stopped to ask what he said as I thought I’d missed the markers DOH!

The day carried on with some interesting byways ( I had no idea that there was this alternative network of thoroughfares – certainly not to the extent to which we were being introduced!). After a few hours we were able to stop at Tescos for lunch break – the sight of lots of trialists arriving and leaving, or just eating and chatting, was really quite warming. Much good banter was heard. I have to say the quip that made me choke on my non-descript chicken and something sandwich, was where one chap said “ I keep getting flies in my goggles”…to which came the reply “ they’re trying to get past you”.

It had become very hot and I decided to pack my jacket away and ride in T shirt. This was fine and quite pleasant…….until the vastly overgrown byways were upon us. I think the club should have been paid a fee for clearing these as the only thing that had been down them in recent times seemed to have been rabbits!!! My arms took a fair shredding…but no bother, I am actually quite hard!!! ( Very sore today though!! ).

I did enjoy the final set of sections deep in the woods - despite the fact that I did very badly. And then to the last section and the special test, John had an emotional reunion with Mandy at the top of the hill as he zipped past before the descent – and that was it, I managed to get round without incident ( save for that bloody rut that threw me off).

Last year I complained that my feet were killing me…it’s my arse this year!

What can I say, a huge thanks to all for yet another FUN day. Thanks to John and Mandy for taking me and riding with me ( and most importantly …bringing me back).

Matthew Grant-Browning ( Number 14)

Ian Booth (aka "Araf")'s write up from the Rides list

I'd arranged to do this with Liam, and Chris Phillips, resurrecting Team Skate, Dab & Flounder. On the day, we were joined by Aussie Pete, affectionately known as Limpet, for clinging to the team.

For a change (and the first time ever for me) the start was within riding distance on the day of the event. Luxuriously, Liam and myself were able to wake at 7.30 and have a cooked breakfast at 8.00 (thanks Mrs Araf) before getting on the bikes, and riding to the start, meeting Chris and Pete at SS9 on the way.

The bike had felt funny on the way to West Hougham, and we soon realised that the tyre was extremely soft. Pump borrowed from Rob from Gillingham, I put a few PSI in it, only for the thing to go completely flat before I'd even scrutineered. A phone-call to Mrs Araf, and she was on her way with a can of tyre sealant from the garage. She arrived, can collected, and I started to shake it, ready for the 'off.' My minute ticked past, and I pushed my bike through the start, filled the rear tyre with weld, then rode off down the road for 5 minutes whist our team waited for the Limpet to start. The tyre seemed to be holding up, so off we all went. Just before the first byway, we came across a horse rider, with no horse. She looked familiar, but it wasn't until after we had passed that I realised it was Pete's girlfriend. I made a mental note to egg Liam on (who didn't know her) once we stopped, but decided better of it, not knowing how Pete would take the humour.

The first byway was one that we have used often, lumpy but not rutted. It ended at one of my favourite spots - where the householder insists that vehicles shouldn't use the ROW. From there, through the Alkham Valley, via a couple more byways, and round to the queue at the first SS. Riding into it cold, I messed up, and 3'd it (don't think I missed any gates). By now, the sun had emerged, so those pessimists amongst the group stripped off their waterproofs. On to Lydden, up Lydden Hill, and then to SS2, which again I entered cold as we had to wait, and promptly messed up on, probably a 3, by a harsh marker could give a 5 for stopping momentarily. Round the back of Lydden Circuit, and onto SS3, using a bank that I often think I don't want to go down when I ride that byway. On the section, we had to go down twice. Yet another 3. I wasn't concentrating at all on my riding, and it was showing.

Next, off for petrol at Arter Bros. Got 3 litres into the tank, so whether I should have bothered or not is another matter, but the Pamp seems to go onto reserve at about 4. Off to Tappington Hall, and over the hill to the Elham Valley, via the byway that exits at the Palm Tree pub. I saw that some poor cereal farmer had his land-rover in the car park. Registration WHE 4T. Along towards Elham, and a slight detour to take in another byway, we then carried on along the Elham Valley Road to Lyminge, where we used the byway behind the golf club, followed by the one from the MOD aerial, down the escarpment and on to the A20. Then the byway from Postling Corner on the A20, through to Stone Street, we stayed on this road, and went for petrol again at Six Mile Garage. By this time, Liam's stand spring had broken, absolving him from gate duty for the day. It was about 1.30 by this time, and we'd only covered 40 odd miles. We guessed that by now we were at the back of the field, having high numbers. Down the county road to Stowting, and onto part of the North Downs way. We then had to stop as Chris's bike was making funny noises. Realising that we only had 10 minutes before SS4 closed, Liam and I left Chris and Pete with a toolkit, and got to the SS just before it closed. Both Liam and I cleaned this one. Was it due to riding straight in? or had we finally got our competition heads on.

After this, we looped through Brook, and into Crundale, and upon arrival at a cross-roads, saw Chris and Pete arriving from another direction, with Chris's bike able to complete the ride. At SS5, we again queued, but found that we had caught up well, as we were there 30 minutes before it closed. Around Bossingham, and into Patrixbourne, we stopped under the A2 at Bridge. Poignant moment, as it was where I first met Liam many moons ago for a trail ride in the winter (shelter below a road bridge being preferable to being rained on). Looking at the road-book, I could see that we were being directed onto a quite pointless UCR, as it's always overgrown. Even with close to 100 bikes passing (as I thought) it was pulling on my clutch and brake levers, but once through, I also realised that I had to switch to reserve. No panic, as after the next Byway, Cooting Down, we left the route to visit Arter Bros for the second time that day for a tank of juice.

Back on route, and knowing where we were going, for about the fifth time Sunday, I didn't bother with the road book. Unfortunately for the team, all previous times I had been wrong, but this time, there was no other logical way of getting to the finish. The byway behind Chillinden was dispatched, as was the one to Eastry, then along the Roman Road towards Elvington, which turns into a byway about half way along. On this byway, we met Barry and Colin manning SS6. Another section clean, and through to Elvington, where a few kids were directing the bikes (surprisingly the right way). We were less than a mile from home, but continued along the route, which then doubled back, passed through Eythorne, and past the High and Dry pub, where plenty of riders seemed to be trying to get the pub to live up to it's name (OJ of course). Turning left, we were flagged down by a stranded Bultaco which had run out of petrol. I had a litre of pre-mix in a sig flask, so donated that. He asked where a petrol station was, so I told him of the two options, one from the road-book, or one in Dover just off the route. He elected for the Dover stop.

Onto the last byway of the day, Guston. Within the first part was SS7 and 8, in a wooded area owned by a member of TriK. On the first, manned by Richard Colquhoun and Ian Packer, I took a couple of dabs, but the second was a complete mare. Not looking forward to the log, I didn't even get that far before touching clay with my bar end. Though some were expecting me to carry on to the log, I elected to extract myself from the section by the easiest means. Totally disgusted with myself, I didn't even register who the observers were, so sorry if I know you. Back onto the Guston Byway, it's notorious for catching bikes out, whatever the state of the ground. It always seems slippery on the North side of the A2 with which it runs parallel. At the Guston bridge, I waited, and waited, and finally, out came the team. I later found out that Pete had cross-rutted and gone down, smashing his Ico and posh roadbook holder. Down into Dover, and in Tower Hamlets we again came across a stranded bike. I can confirm that a 30 odd year old Bultaco cannot get from Eythorne to Dover on 1 litre of premix. This time, Liam siphoned off half a litre to get the rider to the garage. We continued to SS9, and the special test. SS9 was ably manned by Jamie Clarke, and going straight into the test, I again managed a 'clean.' Local knowledge was NOT to blame, as it had changed a bit since the previous day, when I was there with Peter Burrell. Then to the Special, and finally a chance to use the little motor in anger. Gunning it up the hill, I rounded the tree, tried to stop the engine on the rear brake, it came back to life before I finally killed it, and coasted on the clutch to the dead engined stop.

Job done, and back to the farm for the finish.

Brilliant event. Thanks to Sidcup and all their observers and marshals -some mentioned above, George, the farmer from where the event was based, and Sean. Final thanks, to Chris, for getting his bike going, and only missing one section, which may relegate me to Flounder, but will help the team's position.

Final note, as some are aware, part of the course was on a bit of land that I have. I popped up there yesterday to see how it had faired, and am happy to say that all I found was one arrow and a gate market. Thanks everyone for leaving it tidy, and taking your litter home.

Entry List

Here (20kb PDF)

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Location

The start/finish will be near the village of Church Houghton which is just off the A20 between Folkestone and Dover. More directions and a map here