The good news is, I dont need to do copy this month as we already have an Inter route report so no need to spill the beans on the immediate 5 on the first section and a stall on Russ’s section first lap setting me up with 10 points straight away!

Nevertheless, it was a brilliant event with 73 riders turning out to Pen Y Graig on a really nice day. Due to this being a working farm and a whole flock of sheep needing to be sheered, we were asked not to turn up till after 09:30 and the good Aqueduct citizens followed this to the letter so a huge thanks for that! Its only with the landowners consent that we get to use these venues and these little asks and our conduct around them goes a long way to making sure our ability to use them remains in place.

14 Pre 65s and 20 Twinshocks were supported by 19 AC Monos and 20 Modern Monos. It was great to see 6 riders on the White (Beginner) route enjoying the day and at the other end of the spectrum, 9 riders on the Blue/Red (Expert) route. Clubman (Yellow) was contested by a whopping 28 riders with 30 riders in the Intermediate (Green) route. The biggest class was AC Mono Inters with 11 riders now contesting this group.

A few years ago, the club lost a member to a road based motorcycle accident and following this, a trophy was donated in his memory which focused on riders who were developing their trials journey but also embraced the spirit of the fellowship of the trials community that the club aims to uphold.

Pre Covid, the last person to be awarded this was Graham Pennington and during the start briefing he asked for a few minutes to say a few words. What followed was a heartfelt ask that the trophy be passed on to the operational committee of the club for all of the efforts over the Covid period, maintaining events within the Covid restrictions where this was allowed, even when only a small number of competitors were permitted. This was greeted with a roaring round of applause and was humbly accepted. A lovely way to start the event and remember Chris Davies!

Many thanks to everyone below who contributed to the event report.

Dave Riley – Pre 65 / Intermediate

I love the events at Pen Y Graig, even just getting there can be an event due to pulling a trailer, if anything comes the other way you are knackered.

 I arrived at the farm to the usual well organised car parking. I don’t know why but I always end up at the furthest point from the signing in trailer. I wandered down to Sign In and the usual 20 minute socialising by Chris de Burger’s van. Before the Trial commenced there was a “get together” where Graham Pennington presented the Chris Davies Cup to the Aqueduct Team for the great work throughout the Pandemic.

Continuing onto the Green Route which I was lucky enough to ride around with Kev Williams, it consisted of the following:-

Section 1 – Nice starter – In through the gates to an uphill climb to the left turning left through 2 trees downhill over a couple of roots. At the bottom of the hill turning right and straight out

Section 2 – A winding route through the trees ending in a right turn and quite a steep hill with a left turn mid way and straight out at the top

Section 3 – Down hill into the section with a tight turn to the right followed by a 180′ to the left up a slight rise over debris to a left hand downhill turn. At the bottom was a tricky right turn on a camber and up a bank to right with a tightish left turn over a few rocks which seem to disappear for the 2nd lap??

Section 4 – Uphill to a tight right turn through a bit of “Greenery”. Another left turn and over a large boulder and a slight left to a tightish right turn and out through the gates

Section 5 – Through the start gate and turn right through a bomb hole travelling up hill to a shale/rocky turn to the left. Through some more “Greenery” over a number of well placed rocks to a tight left turn to and (on the first lap), a tricky slippy boulder. On the 2nd lap a nice path had been established around the boulder

Section 6 – A steady downhill through trees on small rocks to a tricky right turn into a dip. Up and over a rock step and a tight left turn over rocks/shale. Followed by traversing across a tricky camber to a pair of trees and turning left down a steep hill to the end gates

Section 7 – All over moving rocks you went in through the gates and a slight right to a large boulder followed by loose rocks uphill to a left hand turn on a downhill camber and out

Section 8 – I believed this was the trickiest !! Into the section downhill to a steady left turn which needed to be the right line or it left the next turn really tricky. Uphill turning tight right and immediately over a fallen tree laid on the ground. If you got the turn wrong dabs were needed to keep going. Once over the tree, uphill again over a mound turning to the right, then downhill on a bit of a camber to a right turn through rocks and a tree stump. Up the bank and out to the left

Section 9 – In through the gates and a steady left turn to a loose climb with a couple of tree roots at the top. Once over the top it was an immediate right 180′ turn downhill straightening up to a left turn into a bomb hole with the out gates up the hill and immediately on the right

Section 10 – Into the section turn left downhill and across the road. Up a shale climb and turning left to a downhill tight off camber right turn followed by a steep shale climb which needed good traction in the bottom of the turn to get grip. At the top of the hill there were a few exposed roots with a left turn down the shale hill with a camber to a left hand turn over rocks and turning left again to the out gates

A number of riders were struggling with their orienteering skills as we must have been a good hour into the trial before we heard the last ” Do you know where Section 3 is??

A really enjoyable day was had by all. Thanks again

Michael Griffiths – Observer Section 6

Just a thought from behind the ‘board’…

I had a grand section (6), well thought out and a bit of a tester. The experts route was niggly to say the least and took marks off nearly all. Chris Garlic had a clean ride on his GasGas where as Richard Webster dropped few marks on his twinshock Fantic. Proving you don’t need the modern stuff to do well. It was nice to see Steve Jones back riding and finishing a trial with very few dropped marks. Seems all the ‘cheeky boys’ came to my section as I think the Woke brigade would have been going daft with what is known as banter flowing round. Non worse than that there Bill Brown sneaking down from the Northern climes ‘pot hunting’… Serves him right as he rode in the wrong group . Just one little gripe from me was the lack of thanks to the observers from many riders. Doesn’t cost a lot lads. Also finally there are one or two who could get a bit of a move on as 2 1/2 hours for a lap is a tad on the slow side… Did I enjoy the trial ? you bet , even the death ride back with Geoff….

Stephen Harding – Modern Mono / Clubman

First of all a big thanks to everyone involved for putting on such a great event and Chris deburger for keeping us fed and watered, and a huge thanks to all the observer’s for giving up there Sunday. The day started with a bacon butty and a decent brew from Chris deburger as usual, then the presentation of the Chris Davies trophy to the club from Graham Pennington, and well deserved, for all the hard work that they do and for keeping the club  afloat during a very difficult 2 years for everyone (no easy task). Then the ride down to the quarry from the farm yard. So here are a few of my favourite sections of the day. Back with my usual crew Tony Williams and Alan Hotchkiss, we made our way down to section 3 where Mark was waiting. We were first to the section so had a good look then started off . You started off from a bit of a high bank and dropped straight into the section then straight away turn right and climb up and over a few small rocks, up to a tight left, under a low branch then tight left and round a large rock. Then you drop back down tight past another tree, then right on a very loose off camber bank and climb up a fairly steep loose climb and out of the section. Dropped a few daft safety dabs on this one.

Section 8 – Sue on watch on this one. Again you start off from the from a bit of a steep bank and drop down into the section straight on to a couple of rocks. Then up and left tight past a tree, then a right up a bit of a climb up to a right and a rock sticking up to catch you out. Then keep climbing and over a fairly large rock to the top of the section then a bit of a right and mind you’re head on the low branch and right back down and a bit of a tight left between the trees and down then straight back up the bank over some good sized rocks and a tight left at the top of the bank and out of the section. I managed to clean this one every time,  

Section 10 David on watch – Geoff getting things moving at the start gate,  You start off from the top of a steep bank and drop down and across the main track and then straight up a steep shale slope and turn tight left past a tree on very loose shale then down hill on a loose off camber bank before climbing up right and then left over some rocks tight to a tree. Then on to a bit of a plateau and a tight left between two trees and out of the section and a bit of a steep drop back to the main track.  
 Overall I had a great day and some of the best  sections I’ve rode so far. Once again a big thanks to everyone involved. Well done aqueduct you guys smashed it again. 

Dave Pengillley – Twinshock / Intermediate

Arrived at the farm remembering not to be too early to allow the farmer to do some early morning sheep shearing. Directed up through the farmyard and was parked up in the usual orderly fashion by Geoff. Fantastic spot with stunning views over looking the valley. Strolled down and signed on then over to Chris for a coffee and chat which turned out to be very educational learning about the fine art of bee keeping, sheep shearing, and much much more like a proper old school field trip. Albeit with mature students !!!!!!

The entry gathered for the usual final instructions from Russell and Mark. There was a new speaker in Graham Pennington who presented the organisers with the Chris Davies trophy for 2020/ 21, in recognition of all the behind the scenes work that they had put in to ensure that the trials got restarted after Covid, and Aquaduct would continue stronger under the amca banner.

Down to the sections in the quarry. Section 1 was a nice straight forward section to ease us into the trial although you had to concentrate as the green route proved there was little margin for error.

On up into the quarry every section on the green route needed to be ridden inch perfect especially sections 6 and 7 over the loose rocks, at the end of lap 1 I was still clean but only just. (I knew it wouldn’t last)

Section 8 had a tricky right hand camber turn then straight over a slippy angled log closely observed by Suzanne. I manged to clean it on my first 3 visits, fourth lap on exactly the same line as I thought, the back wheel kicked

Sideways over the log which called for a well planted works dab to haul the Kawasaki back on line to complete the section for a 1.

Section 10 proved to be the sting in tail across the path up and around a tree then dropping down to a tight turn on loose soil leading up to a climb around another tree. First lap it rode well but laps 2 and 3 were a different story. Lap 2 a little too slow and had to work hard to force the bike around the tree for a scratting 3. On lap 3 determined not to make that mistake again, steady around the turn then approached the bank far too fast and needed a 2 to regain control around the tree.

An excellent well thought trial on the green route. As always thanks to the organisers and a special thanks to all the observers who give up there time so we can enjoy our sport.

Suzanne Jones – Observer Section 8

I had a great time!

A massive thank you to Graham Pennington it meant so much to all of the Aquaduct Crew , thank you to all you riders, it was a new section for me but you all did great.

Thank to Moz for his time and patience with me at the very beginning

All your thanks were very appreciated. See you all next time

Before we move into the usual stats, we have to close by once again say a huge thankyou to the club team for all of the effort they put in over the preceding months to make this happen, the observers for still taking the time to support and the land owner as always.

Top Places

Pre 65

• Expert – No riders
• Intermediate – Dave Riley, Cotton (6); Les Richardson, Drayton Starmaker (8); Paul Owen, Bantam (11)
• Clubman – Steve Walker, Francis Barnett (0); Jon Flower, Triumph (1); Steve Jones, BSA (5)
• Novice – Terry Lloyd, Triumph (5)

Twinshock

• Expert – Richard Webster, Fantic (11); Steve Williams, Honda (41)
• Intermediate – Tim Cuffin, Majesty (3); Dave Pengilley, Kawasaki (6); Steve Sherwin, Yamaha (11)
• Clubman – 3 way tie (0) = Darren Riley, Bultaco; Dave Lycett, Honda; William Leigh, Yamaha
• Novice – Oliver Barker, Bultaco (3); Joel Riley, Yamaha (17)

Air Cooled Mono

• Expert – Chris Garlick, Gas Gas (3); Peter Ruscoe, Gas Gas (19); Kev Ellis, Yamaha (21)
• Intermediate – Mike Jones, Gas Gas (3); Robin Foulkes, Yamaha (7); Shaun Mountford, Fantic (8)
• Clubman – Stephen Richards, Yamaha (0); Bill Brown, Fantic (1); Tony Williams, Honda (13)
• Novice – No riders

Modern Mono

• Expert – James Brooks, Beta (6); Julian Price, Beta (24); Hayden Rainford, Montesa (50
• Intermediate – Paul Hornsby, Vertigo (3); Ken Williams, Montesa (14 T); David Williams, Montesa (14 T)
• Clubman – Jeff Hughes, Beta (3); Chris Mellor, Montesa (4); Stan Trojnar, Beta (10)
• Novice – Glyn Roberts, Montesa (10); George, Montesa (33); Jack Black, Montesa (67)

Observer List

1 – Elwyn

2 – Jan

3 – Mark

4 – Russ

5 – Tony Rainford

6 – Michael Griffiths

7 – Ade Robinson

8 – Suzanne

9 – Ben

10 – Dave

Stats

Bikes Classes

• Pre 65 –
• Twinshock –
• Air Cooled Mono –
• Modern Mono –

Route Classes

• Expert –
• Intermediate –
• Clubman –
• Novice –

Bikes

Pre 65

• BSA – 4
• Cotton – 1
• Drayton Starmaker – 1
• Francis Barnett – 1
• Matchless – 1
• Triumph – 6

Twinshock

• Bultaco – 3
• Fantic – 5
• Honda – 5
• Kawasaki – 1
• Majesty – 2
• Ossa – 1
• Yamaha – 1

Air Cooled Mono

• Aprilia – 2
• Fantic – 3
• Gas Gas – 5
• Honda – 2
• Scorpa – 1
• Yamaha – 6

Modern Mono

• Beta – 5
• Gas Gas – 3
• Montesa – 8
• Sherco – 2
• TRS – 1
• Vertigo – 1