Long Distance Trials (LDTs) involve road legal motorcycles (trail and enduro bikes) using as many Byways as possible, joined up with lanes and roads. The route is carefully planned and submitted to the RAC Motor Sports Association, Kent Police and Kent County Council Rights of Way Department.
The Trial starts and finishes at the same place, so bikes can be brought in vans and on trailers. The route is between 80 and 100 miles, but no time or speed schedules are set - it is definitely not a race!
At ten to twelve intervals on the route we set up trials sections to be ridden and scored by the section observer. Sections are planned with the enduro/trail bike in mind and are not 'Dougie Lampkin' type sections.
Either somewhere on the course, or back at the start/finish, entrants ride a Special Test - normally a short speed test. This is to resolve any ties from the section marking.
For an information sheet on how to read the Roadbook, click Here.
In recent years Sidcup & DMCC has run two Long Distance Trials each year; the Sidcup LDT in aid of the Kent Air Ambulance Trust in April or May, and the Timber Woods LDT in July. These two events, together with the Witley MCC's LDT in the autumn in the NW Hampshire area, make up the three round South Eastern Centre Long Distance Trials Championship. In 2012 the Eastbourne Club ran a Long Distance Trial for the first time in the East Sussex area. For 2013, we are running just the Timber Woods LDT on Sunday 22nd September. Please note that this a change from the date originally published of 28th July.
In the five years of supporting the Kent Air Ambulance Trust, we have donated over £5,000.
In addition to Long Distance Trials, club members arrange ride outs around Kent and twice a year trail riding trips to Northern France or the Dordogne area. For more information these, contact Peter Burrell.
FINAL RESULTS of the 2012 Sidcup Long Distance Trial (held on the 20th May 2012) are HERE
FINAL RESULTS of the 2012 Timber Woods Long Distance Trial (held on the 15th July 2012) are HERE
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