It's pure Carr-nage
By John Watson on 7th Oct 10
The surfing talents of Scarborough's James Carr, were almost needed at the East Yorks Two-Day trial hosted by Middlesbrough DMC.
He battled the extreme weather conditions – I was told some of the wettest ever, by a weathered old gent who has apparently been present at most of the Two Day events since its conception in 1974 – and strong opposition from British A class Champion Richard Sadler and
Yarm's finest Russ Rooksby, to reign supreme as the East Yorks Two Day Champion.
Just three marks separated them at the finish after a terrific battle of mind games and superb riding all weekend.
Riders burst forth into the Saturday morning sunshine rosy cheeked and prepared for the battle ahead.
Clerk of course Pat Galway had 30 sections and 23 gruelling miles of mostly moor crossings planned for the massive entry of 160 riders from all over the country.
There was nothing to bother the top men early on, although York's Richie Kendra was unlucky to lose a chain in Tonia Carr's section and Josh Sprintall suffered flag trouble in the slippery stream of Barry Overy's group at the Riggs.
These two followed the setback with typical, nothing-to-lose hang-on rides after this, finishing their day on just nine and eight lost and still in with a shout.
A few of the clubmen were beginning to show signs of stress at Ruswarp gully manned by Middlesbrough DMC.
A new rocky section cut out on the steep hillside caught many, with fives for early runners Colin Chapman and budding racing cyclist Scott Stephenson from Holmfirth.
Simon Kershaw and Mark James dropped a couple here, as did Joel Sadler, but Dave Pye, Adam Milner, Rooksby, Carr and Sadler R were all unpenalised.
Observer Bill Currey was enjoying his day immensely on the tricky rocks and tight turn of number four and spoilt Pye's clean sheet, catching him for two dabs.
Pye, annoyed with himself for the lapse, never lost another mark to finish the day on two.
Andy Cripps lost one after a handgrip flew off, but would suffer time faults later in the day, while Phil Alderson recovered well after a disastrous three on the first at Rigg Hall.
Geoff Brooker travelled all the way from Erith, London, only to discover he'd left the key to his bike lock at home.
A stone saw did the trick and once Geoff got the car bumper off his back wheel, he had some good rides to get his customary finish.
At the end of a long hard day it was close.
Rooksby, Carr and Sadler all went clean, Milner and Shaughan Galway were on one, Pye finished on two and Kershaw three.
Sunday morning dawned as dull as some of the riders' faces after a rough night and by 9.30am the rain was incessant, and never eased off.
The leaders started brightly but the Eboracum group at Raven Gill proved a tester.
With rivers beginning to rise, Rooksby had a steadying dab at the now flooding rock step of Dave Cockerill's.
He then produced a cracking ride for a one, as did Carr over the awkward angled rocks of ‘Billy' Kendra's, both holding it together and riding superbly. After Ravens, only Milner and Sadler remained clean.
This was soon to change though, with the rivers at Harwood Dale rising along with the tension.
Sadler dabbed to keep the bike out of trouble in deep water, but later suffered carb trouble.
At the lunch check, Skeeby youngster Will Reynolds dropped off the pace with a five at the penultimate section, and Alderson was also losing ground on eight.
It was now between Kershaw, grimly hanging in there on six, Milner three, Sadler, Rooksby, two and the unflappable Carr one.
The Hellwith Beck group where Scarborough stalwart Pete Race was in charge would turn out to be the decider.
A tight turn and treacherous climb over rocks caught Milner for three and then a dab on the next put paid to his spirited bid for a second win. Sadler needed two to reach the ends and Carr rode it for a safe one.
As Hollins Gill became too dangerous to ride, with riders lifting bikes over fences to avoid swollen rivers, observers Keith Sleightholme and Rose Pye had to go for a paddle.
Keith said it was up to his knees. Rose commented it was up to her armpits, but they both returned safe and well just before dusk.
Alan Carr and his team proved good shepherds as, on hearing a rider was still out on the moors, they all went to the rescue of the lonely, lost and forlorn figure of Carl Tesseras, waiting patiently at the Raven Gill group.
After this, it was all over bar the shouting, with the very popular winner Carr taking the plaudits from Sadler by one mark.
An excellent effort from Rooksby saw him finish third on five.
The East York clubs would like to thank all helpers for sticking to their posts and producing a superb event in atrocious conditions.
Results
Premier:
James Carr (Gas Gas) 2 marks lost, Richard Sadler (Sherco) 3, Russ Rooksby (Gas Gas) 5, Adam Milner (Beta) 11, Josh Sprintall (Gas Gas) 13, Mark James (Beta) 14.
Over 40: Paul Dennis (Gas Gas) 52.
Over 50: B Roads (Beta) 67.
Over 60: Mick Whitlow (Beta) 153.
Novice:
D Clarke (Beta) 50.
EYC Novice: James Alonze (Scorpa) 49.
Club Awards: Eboracum, Mark Coulson (Beta) 59, Hull AC, Mark Summer (Beta)108, Scarborough DMC Colin Bailey (Beta 54), Guisborough DMC Ian Hopley (Gas Gas) 36, Guisborough Nov Colin Chapman (Gas Gas) 65, Middlesbrough DMC Phil Perry (Gas Gas) 52, Middlesbrough Nov Dean Tate (Beta) 96, Northallerton DMC Russ Rooksby (Gas Gas) 5.