Inside Stories from the Wyegate 2004

It feels wrong to start with stories from the riders when we are just users compared to the organisers who do it all for... well, its not money and its not really glory as most of you don't know who they are, so it must be that knowledge that they have put lots back into their sport. I can't possibly rectify that here, but I'd like all of you to know their names and when they enter your events or you see them out competing with you, you also see their halos shining brighter than your average rider.

They are Matthew Neale Clerk of Course, Peter Neale Chief Marshal, Jackie Jones Secretary, Rod Jones, Dave Harris and Colin Davis who were the sector marshals and put in tons of time and effort in talking to residents on the route and marking sections. Amongst the Course Openers, Closers and pre-event helpers and Observers are Anthony Moore, Mike Allen, Clifford Hannam, Carol Nicholas, and if I can remember who was on which section we have: Merv Morgan & Steve Cooper, Julian Bishop, oops! I need to get the full list. I'll finish this off later, sorry

How did our teams fare? Well all of our best riders were doing the organising so that only left a few to uphold club honours. West Glos A team should have been in with a chance, But the depressing weather got the better of Elver when he punctured and the thought of messing about with that or getting back into a warm van left only one option. (Or have you got a better excuse John?) This left Dave and Neil floundering as you need all 3 to finish for an award. Dave probably didn't use a map or route card all day as he is responsible for tons of organising work on the route in the months leading up to the Wyegate, and now knows most of the residents personally. Thanks for all the work Dave us mere riders owe you big time!

Our second team fared no better with one of our newer members really in at the deep end. Poor Jimmy Marshall on his DT175 was last seen screaming his bike up the hill climb. The reality of riding the Wyegate as an introduction to LDT's has hurt many experienced riders so no shame in retiring. Hopefully his determination will have increased proportionally. (Next year a finish?)

Many of you know we share some of our members with the WTRA club so their club entry consisted of Taff Davies, Nick Philpott and our Web editor Colin Jones back on a bike after nearly 8 years. Well it wasn't long before he was back off the bike, in front of club chairman Ian Vessey at Nant-y-banw and before his start cards. Not to be outdone, Taff actually got past the start cards then right at the end dived headlong into the water. Nick took note and played safe for a 3. This team of locals managed to finish intact and just stay away from being last Team. There was one other team from the forest (Ok they had to buy in an outside player, Sam King, but he was only there as an interpreter for the other two foresters.) We are talking about RAW Sports Posse of course. You can't have missed that Steve Grindle won on his Dad's old bike. (Did he know you took it out the garage while he was out of the country Steve? Just in case you didn't know The RAW Sports Bike clothing firm is Steve's baby.) And our Frankie Lettner (sorry, this spelling is an in joke from the 70's when Mr Luther was the club's Top Motocrosser, The original Whooshda!) They wound one-another up perfectly all day to extract an excellent performance for 24 between the 3 of them.

How to pass a CCM - Someone, who shall remain nameless, had everyone rolling in fits of laughter as he was coerced into retelling his version of events, to all around the long table at our club meeting. The story goes something like this, but comes over better if you get it from the horses mouth. Ask him when you see him next. "I was riding along happily on my Pampera behind the course openers and Anthony Moore in particular, OK, we were steaming along as it was on private land in Forge wood, when I opened it up in third and it kept on opening up! Ah... Back of CCM approaching rapidly. What do you do when your throttle has stuck open? Jump off now or this is going to hurt more when it gets faster", thinks our hero. First thing Ant' knows is there is a riderless Gas Gas on full gas flying by him on the left. He stops to look behind for a victim and there is Neil (oops! that's given the game away!) wrapped around his rear wheel. Luckily nothing much was damaged. Of course sympathetic club members made all the correct caring comments like why didn't you pull the clutch in? and Why didn't you hit the kill switch? I have a feeling this one is not going to go away for a while. What we need now is a shot of him in action. Anyone got one to send in please?