Rob Faulkner
Michael Johnson
Ron Walters
Darren Walters
Adrian Steele
Martin Hayes

2012 Harold Avery Trial

Report Ken O'Brien

A cold but sunny morning greeted sixty riders for the 65th running of this prestigious Open to Centre Trophy where in the past such great riders as John Avery Sammy Miller Don Smith Bill Faulkner and Pat Lamper have all been triumphant.
Twelve sections were plotted to be ridden three times with mainly long wooded climbs and loose cambers with no-stop rules to adhere.
Best expert today was Michael Johnson out for the first time on a newly acquired 4RT, Mike had to work hard on section nine though a real tough one, up over a narrow track to be confronted with a huge root step before trying to find grip on a very steep climb and then an equally tough vertical gully through trees to the last 20 yards of  slick roots.
Best Intermediate on the hard route was Darren Walters who rode section seven for a single dab a really long a
Thomas Plant turned in the best Youth A card losing 34 with Thomas enjoying his day especially at sub eight ' The Bombhole '  a virtually straight up climb from the rivers edge in forth gear where he recorded a clean sheet.
Best performance on the Standard White route ensures your name will be engraved on the Phillip Howkins Memorial cup and this year it is that of Adrian Steele who put an accomplished ride in on the Gas Gas although was caught out for a dab on section four a twisting rooty affair to start with before a long cambered climb and then an awkward low bough to pass with a greasy climb to finish.
Rob Faulkner piloted the 320 Majesty around for a steady eight and the Twinshock pot was safely in the bag his Majesty putting in a royal performance on section 5 a nadgery right handed camber then left over a fallen tree before dropping to the banks of the Windrush and exiting up a sharpish bank.
Ever improving Martin Hayes stormed the Youth A with a very creditable ride and a thirty point loss was scored, Martin however put three faultless rides in at section one an old favourite 'the fallen tree'.
Twenty three turned out for a gentlemanly days ride on the Blue eased route but in the end it wasn't as easy as it looked and Veteran Tony Sulivan  BSA C15 280 had to call all his years of experience in to take the best in class ahead of  local Electrical contractor Ron Walters whose immaculately turned out 200 Fantic purred around the 3 mile course 5 marks adrift.
Many thanks too all observers.

 

Red Route
Expert Michael Johnson 4rt 14
Intermediate Darren Walters 51
Youth A Thomas Plant 34
White Route

Philip Howkins Cup

Adrian Steele 7
Runner up Andy Perry 11
Twinshock Rob Faulkner 11
Youth A Martin Hayes 11
Blue Route
Pre-65 Tony Sullivan 8
Twinshock Ron Walters 13
Youth B Liam Anderson 36

Full results can be found here .