Scottish Trials Championship Round 1

Now that the dust has settled on Sunday, I'd like to thank a few folk who helped create a brilliant trial last weekend.

Firstly, our COC Derek Ramsay and his layout team. They put a brilliant trial on the ground, challenging but rideable and as the scores show just right in the severity stakes. Thankfully the weather was kind on Sunday so there were no last minute concerns.

Next our Observers, they know who they are. Rules went back to no-stop again this year and soring will have the odd questions in judgement by riders but I've heard no real complaints. Without them we don't have a trial so thanks to each and every one of them.

Thanks also to Carolyn and Amanda for managing the admin side of the trial, Scott for his help setting up the Park Ferme area and Kirstin Pennycook for getting the results to us early in the evening. The electronic scoring certainly beats scoresheets and punchcards.

Congratulations to the class Winners

Championship - Jamie Galloway, Sportsman - Lewis Byron, Sportsmen 0ver 40 - Sean Mackay, Clubmen - Craig Jagla, Clubman Over 40 - Murray Whittaker

Clubman Over 50 - Alan MacDonald, Yellow Route - Steven Mycock, Youth A - Aaron Oliver, Youth B - David Edes, Youth C - Alisdair Pollock

Youth D (Red)- Neil McLeod, Youth D (Yellow) Owen Ruscoe , Youth E - Struan Buchanan

Lastly, to the riders for joining us we hope you had a good day, hope to see you back in 2027

Cheers

Donald

BAMCC Member Callum Morrison, has been penning some stories of our club trials this year and has put his views of the trial on paper.

Cracking Craiglash

This was the first round of the Scottish Championship and though I’m biased, this is one of my favourite venues to ride trials, there is massive potential for MASSIVE sections in these woods. I was really hoping to call this write up Crazy Craiglash but I don’t think that would be accurate as the layout of the sections was not crazy but cracking.

The weather was kind on the day, despite dark clouds threatening at times it stayed dry which no doubt made everyone happy. There was a bit of a buzz around the carpark before starting and it wasn’t just the kid’s electric bikes there was an eager bunch of riders itching to get going and see what lay ahead. After a good briefing from Derek everyone was sent out in groups to avoid the first lap queues. This is being written from a sportsman's perspective of the sections.

Sections 1-2 were nice and friendly with not much to worry over which is a nice way to settle any nerves. These two needed you to turn the bike well and commit early to make a couple of climbs a bit easier for yourself. Section 3 is a more recent discovery and has only been used a few times and was the first real challenge of the lap. The first climb was up some big chunky rocks which would move underneath you there was a couple lines to choose from but none were easy. I managed to get through this one with single marks.

Sections 4-6 is where everyone got their tyres wet in the now well used burn sections. The first was a gimme as it was a straightforward ride through. 5 seemed to be a simple section with the main hazard being a tight left-right twist in the burn then a ride up a wee waterfall to finish. I’m not sure what I had done wrong here but I did pick up two 5’s in this one which I didn’t expect to see in the results. 6 was a belter of ride up the burn and was a good test of endurance the trickiest part was having to ride up the rocky bank and turn back down sharply to rejoin the water. The rest of the section was just a case of navigating the lumpy rocks to get the end.

Section 7 after a burl along the fire road the course went uphill towards the outcrops at the summit of the hill. 7 was a nice climbing section, starting at the bottom you had to pick your way up to the top with only a couple rocks to try throw you off. I found out on the last lap that losing focus here could cost though. I got myself a bit off line and made a mess of the steep hill taking a couple of marks. Section 8 wow, what a climb to finish this one. The start was straight forward enough riding over some rocks to climb up on top of the outcrop before dropping backdown the hill, The climb up to finish was a massive rock slab, the run in was tight between the tree’s and getting up it required a lot of rev’s and commitment this was the one that having a catcher up top was essential. I was happy to get up this 2 out of 3 times.

Section 9 was a classic, riding up two tiers of rock slabs. The first set of steps was a new twist on this classic section which I really enjoyed going up. The second is another massive slab but one I’m familiar with so blasting up it in third was straightforward. Section 10 was deceptively difficult, the ability to find grip and turn the bike well were paramount. The off camber climb in the middle didn’t look much, but to ride it well was a challenge. I do think this one did get easier was the day went on as some of the loose stuff on top was brushed away.

Section 11 probably gets the award for the hardest section of the day with multiple points where it was easy to lose marks. The entry was a steep climb up some polished granite with a step midway keeping a good pace helped to avoid losing grip. The middle had a tricky left right turn on the rocks which got slippery as the day went on. The real crux was the final slab which by itself is a good size but had been made trickier with a tight approach. I failed this bit twice so was fairly happy when I got up it on the last lap. Fin Yeaman was even there with the camera to capture the moment. Section 12 another familiar favourite which didn’t cause any drama for myself anyway andwas really just a nice ride through to finish the trial the final step to exitthe section was a good size so I didn’t totally relax until I was up that.    

Overall I was happy with my riding and the event as a whole.  A couple of highlights; Sorry Brogan but you just randomly crashing into me and Callum G in the queue for section 3 had me in stiches. Getting up the section 8 slab and out the section 11 end cards I am counting as wins for the day  

Looking at the scores it the event was hard enough to take marks off of everyone in the class. It did feel easier than championship rounds from previous years but the spread of points across the riders in the class is probably about right. Good job section setters.

Massive thanks to everyone who makes this happen.

Photo by David Mowat