Nidderdale wins the plaudits after motorbike trial
THE RAIN just about held off last Sunday, providing reasonably pleasant conditions for Round 5 of the Sammy Miller Trial, a national championship for pre-1965 bikes, organised by the Ilkley and District Motor Club.
Eighty-five competitors set off from Pateley Bridge Auction Mart with the objective of completing 32 sections on the 35-mile circular lap, ending at Wath quarry.
Competitors came from all over the country to compete and to rise to the challenge of Upper Nidderdale - surroundings that many riders appreciated.
The competition was enjoyed by locals Norman Sheppard and Les Ashby, and by a 74-year-old rider, Peter Gaunt. Respect, however, must go to the blind passenger who amazingly completed the whole championship, being fully-skilled in following his co-rider's instructions on balancing the bike!
Two biking celebrities - Eric Boocock (ex-champion speed rider) and Mick Grant (ex-road racer) - also competed and even the Bikers' Breakfast was provided at the Auction Mart's Teacups by Sam Jackson, ex-Ripon Motor Club rally driver! Now that's what you call 'fast food'!
The championship winners were: Class 1: Graham Howes (North Berks); Class 2: John Jacka (Cheltenam); Class 3: Carl Batty (Westmoreland); Class 4: Dave Wood (Stafford); Class 5: (sidecars) Bob Chapman and Mark Kemp (Southend); Class 6: (sidecars) Lee Granby and Paul Norman (Sheffield); Class 7 (sidecars): Darren Dredge and Gary Hewlett (Basingstoke); Class 8: Phillip Amstey (Otter Vale); Class 9: Dvy Morewood (Sheffield); Class 10: Gavin Moore (Swindon).
Ilkley Motor Club member Adrian Tate, said: "It went smashing! The motor club would like to thank all the local landowners who supported this event."
Local farmers, Diane and David Coates, who provided their delicious ice-cream and some lunchtime refreshments, agreed it had been a good day and that the bikers had been a friendly crowd. Not the Hairy Bikers though for them this time, whose TV programme the Coates family appeared on last year!
If anyone is interested in getting involved in any of the events, they should contact event secretary, Nick Pullan, or go to the website www.ilkleyanddistrictmotorclub.co.uk
On there you will find other special events that have been organised especially for the club's centenary year.
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Weather for Wetherby
Friday 10 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -8 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: South east
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