The club decended in force this year with a big turnout of riders wanting to try their hand at this classic event.
By my reckoning there were ten club night regulars and a further eight or so riders who all know each other and ride events as Manchester 17 members. A fair old turnout really.
With mixed weather reports earlier in the week it was clear by the Saturday it was going to be good all weekend. Very good actually. The brief was simple really. Arrive and park up at our usual spot, have a nosey at the tests, come back and stuff our faces, sleep, ride the bike on the Sunday. For the most part it all went to plan, it seems it was the sleep bit that was the most tricky!
It was with some gentle encouragement that some of the lads entered this year. New to events but decent trail riders everyone would be on the clubman schedule. In truth, the time differences are marginal and you spend less time hanging around at the checks.
I'd told the lads it would be advisable to walk the test so they had an idea of what to expect and if pushing it what bits to remember. With everyone loaded into my van on fold out chairs we drove down the road to the second test, which was the furthest away. Sure enough, there were only four bits worth noting and we headed back for the first test and the last check (which is mostly the first test ridden in reverse) so they had an idea of what this would throw at them. After a fair bit of up hill and down dale there were rumblings from the back about food and beer so we headed back.
Sunday dawned bright and warm, it was going to be a hot one. I was the first rider away in the Vets class at 8:45am, it was about half an hour before the next rider from the club went and then another block of them at the end of the clubmen at about 9:45am.
Being first off (and before the clubmen) I had a good first test with the ground in good condition. The Sportsmen had mullered a few bits but it went as well as I could have expected. The course then dropped onto the road and took us to the first check. 25 mins here, a bit generous maybe. The next check runs over the Trannon and through some Forestry. It's all off road so I expected it to be tightish. The moors were a bit squidgy and one ditch in particular was causing problems. There was, however, a bridge if you looked and that's right were I went followed by a 20 minute wait at the check. The next check runs you off the hills and back onto the road. There are a few lanes and some farm land thrown in before a long road section where the first fuel stop is at Cemmaes Rd. There was a bit of fun running through one wet area here. Two spectators were guiding riders into the boggy stuff and I buried my front wheel. Luckilly there were others there helping out so after a couple of minutes I was on my way again if in a rather annoyed and muddy state.
Ric and Bill were fueling and it's good to have a friendly face waiting. Kim Rogers was there also and showed me the test times which were on a specially set up website already. 11th in class, not too shabby. Fuelled up I headed off to the next check which would be the start of the Dyfi. Riding along I checked the time, 3 minutes to get there! I couldn't even see the forest yet!! SHIT. Nailing it down the single track lane when I hit the left turn knew I was there. Pushing through all the other riders, there was just enough time to get my timecard out before the clock ticked onto my minute, PHEW!
The two sections in the Dyfi are always good fun and usuaully you need to get a move on. Both sections were around an hour or just under and I was flying. Passing all the over 50 vets and a bunch of sportsmen the check arrived far too soon as I was really enjoying it. Another 20 minutes wait here. I rode the next check at a slightly reduced pace but still getting a move on to be greeted by another 20 minute wait at the end of this check. Hmmm.
Out of the Forest and onto the road for the second fuel stop. I filled up and killed a few minutes chatting. Everyone was still going and enjoying it. There'd been a couple of wrong turns but that was it. Deciding not to risk being late I headed off. A fair bit of roadwork later the course turned into a forest and the check. 30 minutes wait here.
The next check was the shortest of the day and followed fire road and a moorland track. Easy riding and as it turned out the tightest of the checks. Arriving with 5 minutes to spare it was more like what I expected. With only two checks left the day was nearly done. A 55 minute check and the final 5 minute blast of a check which you ride at test pace. Riding away from the check I was expecting a good bit of riding in the forest before hitting the test, err.... no. Within minutes the test came into view. I lined up and let rip on the green light. I'm glad I walked it now as it definately helped. Trying to be smooth I was covering the ground well and soon caught up the rider in front. He was not for moving over and it took a good few corners before I got by. Exiting the test I was pleased with how it had gone. Smooth and relatively quick (for me). A few minutes ride down the road and I hit the check, 45 miutes to wait!! Not a lot of fun stood in the full glare of the sun. I contemplated crashing the check but decided to wait it out. The time passed quickly enough though and just the final 5 minute blast. Could I do it?
Fortune smilled on me. There had been a break in rider numbers and the track was clear apart from a rider a couple of minutes ahead. With my timecard dangling from my mouth as soon as the numbers on the clock started to move so did I. Straight to the nearest marshal, as he filled the time in I knocked into neutral to leave both hands free to take my timecard back and secure it under its strap. I was off. Smooth and steady with speed where possible was my aim. It went well, very well infact. Again, walking it had helped. Only the bits I hadn't seen slowed me a touch but I was determined to try and make it. I caught and passed the earlier rider and pushed hard on the last bit arriving at the check with 15.03.45 on the clock, I'd done it. Timecard handed over it was time to head back to the vans, the day was done.
There was a bit of a break before the others started arriving back. Everyone had had a good day. The Powys isn't a hard event. Yes, there's a few tricky or sloppy bits but there's time for a breather too. The excessive time at the checks was a bit frustrating though. There's slack and then there's way more time than's required. Ok, you don't want people rushing on the roads but having to sit around for half an hour or forty five minutes is a bit much really. And not having any checks where you need to ride for an extended period at a good pace is a bit dull. Lack of new bits in the Dyfi forest as well. Having said that though, the special test times being uplaoded onto the web instantly was ace. I knew at the first fuel stop where I was and my time, very impressed with that. I enjoyed the ride but not the hanging about, this does need to be looked at really.
Well that's it for another year and I dare say it's pretty much all we're gonna talk about on Tuesday, but that's a good thing. Just gotta find another event to talk them all into entering now! See if I can get the racing bug to bite a bit deeper.