Beth's on trial!
By TMX Archives on 28th May 08
T+MX reporter BETH HOGGARTH declares her feelings on having competed in her very first trial
FOR many years I have wanted to compete in trials but despite attending local events to watch and marvel at the lads and lasses hopping their bikes around, I have never plucked -up the courage to enter and have a bash'.
Well on Wednesday evening, May 21, I bit the bullet and decided to contest a round of the local and popular Lancs County Wednesday Evening series, a series aimed at attracting novices and beginners. I set off to the venue with butterflies in my stomach and the T+MX hierarchy in tow. I had Mannix as my minder and editor JD' as the team photographer no pressure there then!
As the 69 other riders and I headed away to the first section, my brain started ticking and all I could think was: What the hell am I doing?
The mass of bikes pilled up at the start of that first hazard, and before I knew it I was walking through a muddy stream with minder Mannix advising me on the best line to take.
Well, section one was a very shaky affair, a foot down here and a wobble there, followed by both feet in the water and revving the hell out of my little Beta, before I emerged at the end cards feeling relieved, more than anything, that I had made it out.
However this feeling short lived, and was rapidly followed by a sense of angst when I was informed that the trial was four laps!
On we went to section two, a slide down a fairly steep banking into a stream... and that was just to get to the begins cards! The actual section involved a blast up the stream and a climb out to the end cards. I gave it some gas, went for it, and to my surprise went clean!
Things progressed slowly with queues at most sections and I had a few cleans interspersed with a few silly mistakes.
Then we arrived at section eight and it was a swamp a foot deep and a smelly mess. Visions of my photo in T+MX, face down in the swampy mud started to creep in. I hung in there and got on with what I was told, emerging at the end cards still upright, if slightly dirty!
From here on my confidence grew, and I started to have fun!
Yes, I had fives, missed a few flags, stalled the bike, and paddled my way through deep becks and slippery mud, but I was having fun and enjoying myself.
Everyone was great, friendly faces coaxing me round and asking how I was doing, and before I knew it I had finished my first trial!
As I headed back to the car park with a big grin on my face, I was buzzing with accomplishment and excitement. A far cry from the wobbling wreck that set off in the opposite direction only a couple of hours earlier! Bring on the next trial!...