West Glos Riders Chasing March Hares 2004
Report by Ben Falconer
Ben Falconer was taken out for the day by his Dad to the March Hare Long Distance Trial, which was, frankly a brilliant event. Here's how the West Glos' riders fared…
MARCH Hare in February? Thanks to the leap-day, Golden Valley Classic MCC made it so for this excellent Long Distance Trial based around Dursley and Wotton-under-Edge.
Starting from the Hunter's Hall inn at Kingscote, the route was reversed for this year's event, with the first sections marked out at Chavenage, the scene of an average Hare and Hounds Enduro the previous week.
These organisers didn't have any problems finding tricky obstacles this time though including the first section, which certainly wasn't a loosener. Ice packed grass caught out some on the expanses of Chavenage, including the rider of a Pampera 320 who was having a little lie down by the time his dad/mechanic caught up with him.
Ending the Chavenage group, we found Neil and Ian Hannam and Dave Harris enjoying a few laps of the Enduro course thanks to the markers left behind from last week. It seemed there was no escape!
Now being almost a local in these parts, I took the lead, followed by about 10 lost riders, to the Nympsfield Wind Turbine. From the turbine on to the woods above Frocester and this was where the real fun began. Of the 50 miles quoted by the organisers (more like 75), it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that 80 per cent were proper off-road trails.
Neil and Ian were both riding the standard route and came unstuck on the savage rock steps - I planned a clean and got away with a three. It's a bit sad when you're chuffed with a three but I was because that was better than Neil and I've not beaten him before!
Off the edge of the Cotswold escarpment, we headed towards Cam for a quick chat with observers Peter LePlain and Brian Lethbridge, then Dursley for juice before getting in to never-ending woodland north of Wotton. Not before AJ Falconer had got all excited planted the Pampera in the bushes and cut his face, mind you.
Most of the going was single track with plenty of gradient and privately-owned too. Full marks to GVC MCC, it was a superb ride round.
With a choice of routes - sidecar and standard - the event catered for just about everyone.
Did someone say sidecars? Well they were in single figures but Stan Howitt and passenger number 634, Zoe didn't appear to be enjoying the going early on but got in to their stride later with a few inspired rides.
Goff Hannam rolled in to the Hunters Hall after a day of comparative luxury on Cliff's Bultaco - the Ariel was out of commission after the Tuck Cross and he had hoped to have it ready for The Barratt, the next round of the Sammy Miller series.
Who lost what? Dunno, the results are in the post. We do know that Steve Venn went clean on his Pampera though. Well done - we'll nobble him before the Wyegate.