Trials Torque: Three is the magic number for Richmond
By John Dickinson on 19th Jul 17
THE Richmond club, deep in the Yorkshire dales, stage many events during the year, some of which are epics both to stage and mark out and man with officials.
Not the least of these is the infamous Scott Time and Observation Trial each October.
But their Reeth Three Day Trial which takes place this weekend, Friday-Sunday, July 21-23, is a major undertaking even for a club as keen and experienced as the Richmond boys and girls.
Not only is there the little business of packing in no fewer than 250 riders - with a 20 strong list of reserves still hoping for a ride as this was written.
There is also marking out three totally separate days' single-lap routes and sections in different dales deep in Scott Trial country centred on the town of Reeth.
The start/ finish field is actually at Grinton but that is less than a mile down the road from the ancient market town.
With 250 entries there's a heap of competition for Expert, Clubman and Green (50/50) plus class awards and the Expert has a cracking entry for overall glory.
Leading the way is last year's winner, local all-round ace - he's no slouch in enduros - Jonathan Richardson.
But Jonny will have plenty of rivals to fend off with the likes of Richard Sadler, Ian Austermuhle, Guy Kendrew, Luke Walker, John Crinson, cousins James and Jack Stones, Richard Timperley, Sam Yeadon, Tom Hick, Tom Minta and Darren Brice, the latter making a rare outing these days.
Roger Williams and Darren Wasley should be somewhere near the sharp end of the Green course while on the Clubman course you wouldn't bet against Katy Sunter. And joining Katy in the Three Day is a host of girls like Chloe and Niamh Richardson, Robyn Alderson, Lucy Smith, Victoria Payne and Louise Alford.
Loads of families are riding joining in with Louise along with bro Chris and dad Stuart, Anthony Rew and sons James and Peter motor up from Devon and there's a whole bunch of Richardsons including brothers Allan, Les and Stephen - time Gerald joined in!There's even a few Twinshocks with James Moorhouse on his Bultaco, John Holland on Yamaha and the omnipresent Barry Roads on Armstrong.
Glen Scholey risks his beautiful air-cooled Honda RTL and Graham Tales has his lovely Montesa 2T.
Friday will cover 30 miles taking in 30 sections as an easy opener, starting at a relaxed 10am.
Saturday gets into the meat of the trial with a longer 40 miles and 35 hazards through Swaledale and Arkengarthdale with a 9am kick-off ,before Sunday takes in yet another new route up Swaledale.
Nathan Stones is in charge of the course overall with Bruce Storr taking on Friday's route before handing over to Nathan on
Saturday, while Andrew Brown cracks on with Sunday on land he knows blindfold.
It's going to be a cracking three day weekend...
