Round 3 of the North Kent Trials Combine (NKTC) took us to the rocky slopes of Cowden
on a fine sunny morning of March 9th, the event was to challenge all riders on all routes with an increase in competitiveness and a brilliant display of course
management by the Wickham Club and Ely family.
Section 1:
When I arrived at section one a large number of riders had gathered to lay witness
to the carnage on a ten foot sand stone rock face climb, the rock face was like
nothing I have ever ridden up before and for the first time in a trial I was worried,
no one was jumping the queue and after watching some half dozen Inter's and Expert B
riders crash it was my turn. The marshal waved me onto the section and after a couple
of deep breaths I engaged third gear ran the bike up the first small incline and then
let the bike have it, I new my trusty old 320 Gas Gas had the balls to get up this climb as I rammed the throttle into the stop with the bike and myself rocketed up the rock face as if
it wasn't there. I could hear the cheers of encouragement but chose not to be distracted,
my bottle was tested to the limit and I came out on top even though I lost three marks on this section.
Section 5:
Section five was another pants filling section. I managed to tag along with three Expert
riders on route to this section and had the opportunity to learn from the best. Section
five commenced with a down hill drop into a shallow gully that was as slippery as hell,
the first part of this section was a dual Inter and Expert route combined and when I saw
the first Expert rider dragging his foot all the way down this gully to stabiliser himself
I started to poo my pants. Nicky, the third Expert rider to ride this section had just
fived it trying to get out of this gully when it was my turn next. 'GULP'. I set off calm
'well not quite' and with my arse glued to the rear mudguard slithered and poo'ed my way down the
gully stopping to jam my telescopic foot into the bank to lever myself around to the left, after
riding around the back of a tree I managed to smash my leg on the bars and was already
up to three marks lost. To finish the section required more footing than a millipede
and I was awarded a three for my efforts. If the conditions had a been dryer I would
have made a more concerted effort with this section, but as it was I was happy to get out of it
for a three. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Landowner, Marshalls
and Bob Bond who without your help and involvement couldn't have made this successful event happen.
