OWLS LDT 2004

Sunday 4th April 2004

South Eastern Centre LDT Championship Round 1

On Sunday 17th August 2003, the OWLS MC ran their second long distance trial from just south of Maidstone and the course went all over Kent. This year Jamie Clarke (me), Marge Clarke and Eric Dadd manned the fourth section while lots of club members rode in this event.

If anyone has any reports, photos or the results to put on this page email me

Photos

Jamie Clarke - Page 1

Reports

Report by Dave Blanchard

Now in its second year the OWLS Long Distance Trial is the first round in the South Eastern Centre 'Long Distance Trials Championship'. This event took place on the 4 th April and the 9.00 am start was at 'Deepdale' in East Sutton, which is near the old town of Maidstone and within the smell of 'Hop Fields' in the garden of Kent. Other aromas were experienced along the way but not all of them were rose scented.

The total distance for the route set was 89 miles, but this was probably exceeded by those who failed to follow their 'road book' carefully and therefore took a wrong turning here and there.

Eight really good sections plus a special test against the stopwatch would be the decider to find an overall winner and also an individual winner for each class. These tests of skill were absolutely spot -on for this type of trial because the rules were absolutely no inspection of any part of the efficiently marshalled and observed areas.

Some of the byways were easy going and most riders took this in their stride. But! We soon arrived at some much tougher ones which took all your strength and skill to master. Some struggled to find the techniques of constant forward progress without the need for falling off, stalling, or just stopping for a rest because you had the cramp. Others suffered from exhaustion due to lack of fitness and regular trials training, this would halt their progress on numerous occasions. I was included in the stopping due to my aching leg muscles that were giving me some real gip!

On the day I had great company in the shape of John Excell, Derek Baker, Steve Blanchard and Adrian Dicker. Steve was to lead for the first part of the course with me taking the reins for the final parts. Our little group made good progress considering my old bike slowed them up a lot on the tarmac bits.

This years very strong 'Bexleyheath Club' fielded their successful team once again and came away with a victory for the second year running. Who knows, perhaps they will put on an even more special effort for next year to go for the 'Hat Trick' of wins!

The overall event winner with a clean ride and the fastest special test was Dick Caselton on his Honda XL 250. Dick was also the winner of class B, best over fifty and also a member of the winning team. His two other team mates were, Mick Cheese Honda XR 400, with last but not least, Steve Fellows riding his rare 'Cheney Honda 305'. Steve also picked up a first class award in B group with a clean ride. Well done to those men, especially as they are all over fifty!

Class A 'Supremo' on the day was Gary Morgan, a man from the Normandy Club riding a lightweight Yamaha 125. His was another clean ride but with a quicker special test time than second placed man, Keith Bloxham on his Honda XR 200, who was also clean. There were 3 firsts and 3-second class winners in this category which included my two team mates who were both riding Yamaha Serows. Derek Baker had a first class award with just a dab all day, and John Excell lost 4 for his second class award. 'Smooth and Steady' riding brought them all success.

The heavyweight riders rode in class C and by heavyweight I mean the bikes were big capacity machines not the heroes who rode them. One or two probably needed all that power to transport them around the course anyway. But, very fit and strong boys they all are so their bravery needs a mention here whilst keeping mum about their sanity. Think I will ride in the anonymous class next year, just in case they read this and have good memories.

That man Clive Boughtflower from the Sidcup Club powered his KTM EX520 around the course throughout the day and at the finish of battle was declared a clear winner for class C. A great ride indeed and even better when you consider that he started the event with a 5 point penalty for using a road legal Enduro tyre on the rear of his bike. He lost another 6 points in the sections to add to his tally of 11 points lost. Fantastic effort Clive, you must be built like a brick toilet with all the finesse of a ballet dancer on mud. Well done mate!

There were just three riders entered in the British Bike class including yours truly. Just when needed Joe Stollery from the Woodbridge Club turned on a bit of style to ride his Enfield 500 to a well deserved 'British Bike' class victory. On the way he squandered just 3 points in the muddy section 4. Joe was part of the team called 'Eastern Plonkers' from the much-maligned county of Essex. His 'partners in grime' on the day were Norman Blakemore of the EFA riding a Beta Alp 200, with the third member Bob Drane from Braintree club piloting another Beta Alp 200. Norman also takes back to Essex with him an 'A' group first class award, having had a great ride for a loss of just 2 minuscule points.

Another Essex man who rode the Long Distance Trial was the Eastern Four Stroke President Ian Preedy. I had a quick chat with these Essex men before the trial because I know of them from another club journal I sometimes write for. They are great blokes and good riders. Now I have met them I can quite categorically say that there is no truth in the wicked rumour that Essex Trials men dance around their bumbags! I don’t know who started it? But you heard it here first!

There were two lady riders in this event and they showed Great Spirit. Mandy Seldon from the Sidcup Club was brave enough to take on the men, purposefully competing on her Suzuki 125. So well done to her! Young Nicola Clarke, another Sidcup member confidently controlled her Honda XL 125 to good effect for a very determined and consistent days riding. Keep going ladies! Motorcycle sport needs you!

This event has been a major success due entirely to the extremely hard work and forward planning the OWLS Club carried out over many months previous. I did not see one glum face or hear anybody even remotely moan on the day. Superb organisation, great characters running the whole event, generous use of farmers land, fantastic sections and well laid out road book allowed every rider to thoroughly enjoy the day!

Many thanks from all of us who had the pleasure of riding with the OWLS Club in the 'OWLS Long Distance Trial'.