OSET CUP NORTH ROUND 3 at Peggy Bottom Camping.
Phew !!! What a weekend in the Yorkshire Dales. Picturesque, decent weather, loads of kids and bags of family fun. We rode bikes, sang, danced, swam, barbecued and went crayfish hunting.
The site was full of campers and tents on Saturday night with a few getting there even earlier on Friday night. Come Sunday morning we could not believe the stream of vans and cars that kept arriving. We nearly ran out of space. Extended family members turned up to watch too which was fantastic. So many new riders to the series who have all said they would be back. A shout out to newbies William and Charlie Holgate, Jake Trippier, Noah Robinson, Rocco Mcvitie and Bobby Perigo. We had 37 riders in the event and another 3/4 possible new riders who came to watch what it was all about. If the chat is anything to go by we will be mobbed come the next round at Rock 'N' Hop. We had a split of models with 4 x 12.5 12 x 16 18 x 20 and 3 x 24.
Carl Batty, Ed Roe and I mapped out a challenging route which proved to be just perfect. We had 6 observers which helped to make the event run smoothly. A big thankyou to all of you. I have never heard so much encouragement from spectators and family members and not just for their own children but everybody. The Adams family who normally share a bike between two kids, Lottie and Arthur, had a puncture late on in the trial and without hesitation another family lent them a wheel and a second bike so they could both complete the trial. Amazing !!! More about the trial later.
On the Saturday we had practice with all the different routes catered for. Carl, Ed and I did some coaching and it was great to see a lot of riders improve and gain confidence as the day went on. It was a chance for them to try a slightly harder route but with no pressure. Wee Al from Scotland certainly came on but we are in need of a translator for the next round. Friendships were formed between families and kids alike. Practice went on until 4pm and then it was bikes away so the evening fun could start. The gate to the camping was closed and the barbecue's were sparked up. The energy the kids had was amazing, they were all still flat out !!! Karaoke, party games and a conga around the camping field ensued until it was time for bed. Medals were awarded for best dancer and best karaoke performances.
For Sunday the entry was split in two, with half the riders starting at section 4 and the rest at section 1. This worked well and the event flowed nicely. A few of the parents will be down a few pounds after all the running around they did. There were fantastic performances in all the classes and it is as always difficult to pick out anyone in particular but here are a few names, Alisdair Pollock, Chloe Grace Charlton, Eddie Charlton, Joshua Tate to name but a few. You are all in the results and hopefully in the video which was filmed by 20/20 Productions on the Saturday during the day and early evening.
On a personal note I would like to thank the following people without whom the event would not take place.
Landowner- Ed Roe who not only allowed us to use the land but coached, observed and kept the camp running smoothly.
Carl Batty- Carl thanks for all the help. I could not do this without you.
Victoria Clegg - For observing and keeping me in coffee.
Oliver Hellewell- last year he was riding, this year he is giving something back and observing.
Steve Longlands- For observing and being flag sorter of the year.
Mrs Farren- For being dropped in at the deep end with observing. Great job.
Hope I have not forgotten anybody. Breath now and on to the next one at Rock'N'Hop in conjunction with Ripon Club and taking in TrialGB. See you all there.
