Now this is a real trial!
By TMX Archives on 23rd Oct 08
JD's been to the Scott and this week he tells us why it's one of THE events on the calendar...
WELL, as it was the Scott Trial last Saturday, what else can I possibly devote the column to!
It's been said time and again, the Scott Trial is a unique event that, like the Scottish Six Days, flies totally in the face of current trials convention. The long, long, 85-mile course is a true marathon compared to the 100-yard sprint of all modern trials while its high-speed nature is almost incomprehensible compared to ‘normal' trials which can be so slow-paced as to barely register on the movement dial.
There's always a special anticipatory buzz when you get up on Scott morning. I live about an hour-and-a-half west of Richmond and it's dark when you bounce out of bed (!) and wonder if it's raining or freezing outside. I aim to hit the start about 8am so it's dark leaving the house at around 6.40am and the anticipation builds as the dawn breaks and you start guessing if those big black clouds over Hawes will have lifted by the time you get there. This year they didn't! My route takes me through the Dales taking in Sedbergh, Hawes, Leyburn and the many villages in between. It's a drive through fantastic country, I know it well and as we tick the villages off I am already running through the day ahead, wondering who will be quickest, who will be best on observation, will Doug win three on the trot, can Graham break the record, how will Fuji go, what about the young guns, how many Scotts has Phil Alderson ridden?
I know where I plan to go during the day in order to (hopefully) just stay ahead of the action but I then start thinking if I can just squeeze one more section in. Or if I do will it then screw-up the rest of my timetable? ‘Yes', is the answer to that one.
Then you get to the first section, boots-on, wet weather gear, camera, notebook, entry list, pens, buns, a drink and suddenly the first rider's due. Time to stop unsuccessfully juggling all the above and get stuck in. Then, check watch, time to scoot, keep ahead of the mob and get to the next section. Cars forever-more at Surrender, so abandon car and just get there in time to miss first rider – sorry Richard Ridley. Enjoy compulsory exchange of insults and ignorance with spectators in between watching the guys and gals dong their thing and before you know it it is time to gasp back to the car and move on, to By Pass this time and leg it through the heather, up the valley, to the sections. On way back down – keeping to my timetable – jump out of Wayne Braybrook's way as he's speeding towards me. Obviously enjoying himself immensely, Wayne shouts, "Hey Dicko, watch me jump this beck!” – And promptly fires the Gasser over the flooded stream yelling, "Not bad for an old ‘un!” as he disappears.
Puff and pant steep uphill to the road and join the convoy heading for Arkengarthdale. Decide it's too late for Whaw Bridge and Faggergill so peel-off right and head for Shaw Gutter which is another sprint across becks and bogs. Laugh openly as someone gets their feet wet crossing the beck and then get rightly laughed back-at as I do same in a black boghole! Honours even then.
So it goes until the final rush back to the finish to catch the first man home, James Dabill this year, and listen to the tales of the riders that reach the finish. It is a brilliant day from beginning to end with the enthusiasm from riders, officials and spectators positively infectious. It is one of very few events that take place each year that you just don't hear criticism over. Sure, plenty of shattered riders threaten, "Never Again!” but it's amazing what a few pints do for you at night and equally amazing how many are back on the start line the next year...
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FOLLOWING last week's column tailpiece when I expressed my desire to better 53mpg in the old 2.2 litre diesel Mondeo I was sportingly ragged by several spectators on Saturday over my quest. One kindly enquired if I had discovered sixth gear yet (yes!) while another claimed to squeeze 60mpg out of their two-litre version. Mmmmm 60mpg...
You may well laugh at my search for mpg but talking to owners of medium-sized vans, the difference between driving at 65mph and 80mph can be as much as 100 miles per tank. These days, that saving could easily be the difference between being able to afford to ride your bike on a Sunday or not...