Mercian H&H 26th August 2007
Report by Jim Delahay
Jim's report proves you are never too old to learn whilst out riding! Plus a few of our other club members can learn lots from following his riding style. Some of our lads: Phill Gardner 14 Laps, Martin Kear 13, Paul Waycott and Gavin Bailey 12, Glenn Thomas, Mike Edwards and Jim on 10 laps, Craig Ruck (another first timer as only 16) on 9 and Roderick Boycott on 8. Dave Pinney DNF'd.
Jim's Report
My first H&H could be described as a `bitter-sweet` experience and as I apprehensively queued to sign on, the level and tone of the conversation going on around me endorsed my apprehension making me wonder if I was capable of riding with these moto-crossers. (I'll refrain from a more accurate description)
Having had the bike scrutinered I had the choice of parking it at the front of the group or at the rear and chose the latter, thinking it may be safer than taking the risk of being run down at the first corner. Chatting to Roger Brown he suggested that it might be worth a look at the final stream crossing near the end of the lap which revealed a large area of porridge like mud and water or a narrow stream crossing more akin to a trials section. This turned out to be a valuable observation as the day progressed!
So 11 o'clock came and the experts all went off in a cloud of dust followed a minute later by the clubmen and then our group; all round the first corner okay around the field to another narrow gateway where a couple of stalled machines brought us almost to a standstill, but I managed to pass a few riders here, then toward the farmyard along a muddy track to a narrow gully littered with old tyres and stones which was very slippery; here another queue formed as some riders had no traction and some were lying down or stalled. This section was relatively easy for me on the 230 with its soft motor and managed to pass a few more riders here and completed the lap without a major incident as riders became more spread out. With slight optimism I started the second lap only then to be routed into a new section of stream; `Section` being an accurate description, with deep mud and large boulders, which Glenn had described before we started but I assumed it was not being used. Much chaos here with stalled bikes and also stuck in the mud but I managed to just get up the left hand bank around a tree and saved a lot of effort, tho' I did get caught in a huge rooster from the guy in front. Fortunately this section was only used on laps 2 and 3 and then routed straight by thereafter as on lap 1, when I was then able to settle down into some sort of `steady` rhythm.
At least that was until ending the 5th lap when a guy (moron) must have thought he was going to get the lottery jackpot if he could get by me and charged by in a narrow section near the end of the lap hitting my arm with his handlebars and fetching me off; during this incident there was a thump thump thump on the back of my helmet which must have been the back wheel/tyre of his bike and I ended up trapped under my bike. To say I was annoyed would be a gross understatement. Thought I was very lucky to get up and carry on but the extent of my luck was not realised until after the event when I noticed my shirt had been ripped and my back protector scored. (To add further insult the next day I had huge bruises on my arm and hip!) (And people say I'm mad riding events with my rear view mirror on! I feel quite justified now! ed.)
However I managed 6 laps before refuelling and having some sustenance, then to resume and complete a few more laps with renewed vigour especially when the time limit was reduced from 3 hrs to 2 1/2.
Julian (Bish was the Centre Steward. ed.) remarked after, how did I keep so clean as many bikes were covered in mud; this was due to my close inspection of the stream crossing near the end of the lap as mentioned early and avoiding the deep water.
Although I didn't break any records I was satisfied with my effort which makes a change.
So in all, a well organised event and great fun except for my incident and this endeth my lesson in H&H, -- i.e. not to be repeated. (I think I recall a similar comment from Jim after entering the ISCA Enduro back in the mid 70's together with Alf Bendall and a few other club lads! ed.)