Once again it was an
extremely early start for the trip over to Wales for Rd 5 of the ACU Sammy Miller products
championship, The Frank Jones trial organised by Builth Wells MCC. Having picked up an intermittent wrist injury
I didn’t know if I’d be able to ride however, it felt OK in the morning so off
we went via McDonald’s.
The Class 1 entry featured
the main protagonists and factory rider Peter Collins favoured his Rigid AJS
over the big 500 Ariel. As usual Dave
and I contested Class 2 which once again featured a very healthy entry. Peter Meeson and Gary Kinsman (Ariel 500) made the trip
up from Devon and it was good to see Colin Hedges (350
Matchless) there. In fact, the only
notable omission was The Teflon Don who had a prior engagement. After arriving early, Penny and I headed for
the pub and while I signed on she ordered the tea and bacon rolls. After getting changed we were waved away bang
on time.
Getting underway! |
Heavy rain the previous
week coupled with a torrential downpour overnight made for tricky going;
indeed, the first two sections were omitted as the stream was in full spate. Starting at sub 3 the whole entry seemed
reluctant to start but those few riders that blasted their way through the
tricky mudslots and streams had the best of the going all day. Dave and I procrastinated and by the time we
finished these two subs we were way down the field. At Cilfodeg I broke the throttle cable and
lost more time while I fitted a solderless nipple. Each group got progressively harder as first
the sidecars, and then the solos chewed up the ground. What was cleanable as an early number was a
three or a five by the time we got there.
The beautiful rocky stream
sections at Aberanell were a real torrent this year and made for some particularly
tough going. The first sub was
particularly deep and for Ian Bullock, who lost control of his machine, it
proved disastrous. He lost his footing
and his beautiful Sprite sank to the bottom of the stream! Fortunately, Dave, Pete and I faired slightly
better although I gained a three and a pair of dabs which was not my finest
hour. Nevertheless, time spent
refurbishing the Rockshock units on AS500 was not wasted and they got a real
work out. Pleasingly, there were no
leaks and I was really pleased with their improved performance.
Dave (12) & I (11) at the start Pete Meeson in the background |
Once again, it was a
brilliant trial however, some of the Clubman sections turned out to be more
demanding than the experts particularly, where we had to exit or enter streams
up or down muddy banks. Nevertheless, it
was a great trial and thanks must go to the Clerk-of-the-Course and the
observers who were absolutely mustard and after all there’s not much you can do
about the British weather. Thanks to all
at Builth Wells MC for another cracking Sammy Miller round. Next up in the series it's off to the Midlands for Rd 6 at South Birmingham MCC and The Greensmith Trial.
Addendum: Whilst washing the bike off I discovered another broken spoke!!
Next up: The South West Classic Trials Association (SWCTA) Dartmoor Two Day classic trial!!
Godfrey gives AS 500 the once over with Gary Kinsman in the background |
Results