LANDS END TRIAL 2013
Lt Cols Mike Tizard and Bob Case, riding a 500cc Tri-Greeves Challenger with Sidecar.
Support Crew: Col Ian Gibson
I wrote a brief article last year about our exploits on our first competitive ride on the Challenger sidecar, the Lands End Trial. Needless to say we were not too successful failing most of the sections, and coping with an electrical failure close to the finish that nearly put us out. Since then we have ridden the Edinburgh and the Exeter Trials and I’m delighted to report that we are getting better. Although yet to receive a medal, we are at least making progress and getting up most of the hills. The MCC trials are a test of reliability, regularity, skill and most certainly, stamina. They are long, really long, and a single foot, failure to make forward progress, roll back or a simple mistake (not stopping when the instructions tell you to) result in a fail. Success is rewarded with a Gold medal, a single fail and you’re on Silver, two fails and its Bronze, and after that you’re on a paper finisher’s certificate.
The 2013 Lands End Trial was a 350 mile ride following a pre-determined route starting from Popham. We set off on our allotted time (19:44hrs) for the official start in Bridgewater, 98 miles down the road. The journey was not without incident. After a 20 mile run down to Andover the bike was running well and the new carburettor seemed to be giving good fuel economy. Shortly before Ludgershall, the engine gave a slight clatter and the back wheel locked up. With the clutch, in we rolled to a standstill with a dead engine. Several riders stopped to help but with a seized engine, what was to be done – we waved them on. We pushed the bike to the garage which luckily for us was only a short distance up the road; it was just getting dark. After only a minute or so I checked the oil which was fine, and with the ignition off, kicked it over. To our amazement it turned over fine with no horrible noises. Ignition on, and she fired up, first kick. Were we dreaming? I think not, it was definitely a seizure. What the heck, what’s to lose, we pressed on!!
We had no further problems the bike was running pretty well, although the engine was noisy under load – definitely not big ends, more like piston slap! After refuelling at Devizes soon came to our first test; 440 yards to be ridden in exactly one minute. Having a passenger is a distinct advantage and Bob kept me informed as the seconds ticked on. We judged it pretty well to perfection and we thought we were bang on.
Pressing on, we refuelled at Glastonbury and arrived at Bridgwater at around 22:10hrs. The bike was examined to ensure we were complying with the regulations and were in the right class, and then it was into the warm for breakfast prior to our start at 23:14hrs. We left on time following the route which took us out to Minehead following the coast road and despite the cold, it was a nice ride. Approaching the first section we stopped short and adjusted the tyre pressures down. I went for 8 psi front and rear.
The first section is pretty tame, a fairly flat and level track with a difficult part within the first 20 metres. I managed to stall the bike and so recorded our first fail! Next was a timed test with a standing start on line A, stopping astride line B, rolling back past line B and then a flying finish over line C. The test was on tarmac on a steep hill and all went well.
We continued on route and as we crossed Exmoor the temperature plummeted, we even drove through snow at one stage and after another few miles we headed into Lynmouth – it was crisp and clear and could clearly see Walesacross the Bristol Channel. As we headed up the winding hill to the rest stop at Barbrook the bike sounded lovely on full chat. Barbrook rest stop means coffee and cake and at 2 in the morning it’s most welcome. After a 45minute compulsory stop, we were left for the next section.
Last year we failed the Beggars Roost Section in spectacular fashion by not being able to get off the start line; this time would be different. I approached the start line pointing the bike around 30 degrees to the right, and with my weight over the front wheel and Bob over the back, I fed in the clutch, as predicted the bike turned to the left, but by this time we were off the line and heading up the hill. It was not the prettiest of climbs, but we made it!
More sections came and went. We failed Cutcliffe Lane, which is a long steep and rough hill where the bike simply ran out of puff, but we had brilliant rides up Sutcliffe Hill and Daracott. Sutcliffe is always memorable not so much for the hill, but for the farm yard at the top of it. The farm opens its doors to the Trial and coffee and cake (there is a theme emerging here) is served from their kitchen. As the sun had just come up it was most welcome. It was 06:15hrs and by now we were deep into north Devon, and the long drive along the Atlantic Highway had chilled us to the bone.
With spirits lifted we headed into Cornwall, filling up with fuel at Bude before heading along the coast road to the WidemouthBay control. As we dropped down to the Bay, the view was spectacular, with white-topped breakers rolling in and even a lone, mad surfer making the most of it. After a short stop we continued along the picturesque winding coastal road and over the headland into the section at Crackington. Again approaching the start at a 30 degree angle the Marshals were forced to jump into the bank when we shot off the start line and headed straight for them, at the last second the bike straightened and we were flat out up the wide and open hill. Again, not a pretty climb, but we cleaned it.
A few miles later and after a brief stop for a noise test in the hotel car park, we settled down to a compulsory 1 hour stop and breakfast. Coffee and Cakes? ….. not a chance, full fry please!! Suitably refreshed the route look us south onto Bodmin Moor for the next three sections. Warleggan, claimed many, but not us, much clutching and spinning saw us claw our way to the top for a clean. Ladyville went well but on the next section, Hoskin, I knew was difficult and we had a steep Restart.
We got off the line well and rode uphill around the gentle right hand bend to be confronted by the Restart Box. I decided to run through it and just leave the back wheel in the box. I stopped abruptly, brakes on, clutch in. The engine coughed and with a puff of smoke popping back through the carburettor, it stopped. I gave a disgusted look at Bob, but then to our surprise the Marshal said encouragingly “you’re still in the Box and OK”. With that I proceeded to select neutral and restart the engine, all without rolling back. With Bob assisting with the clutch, I found neutral and she fired up first kick. The hill start was going to be tricky, but with Bob controlling the spinning back end with his bouncing and me hanging over the front end we managed to get moving. It was a great feeling and when we reached the top of the section we were whooping with delight. Really chuffed – the best ride yet.
With only four more sections to go, we were still on a Bronze medal – unbelievable. We headed out of the forest and towards Bodmin. The bike was clanking and knocking and although I thought it was lacking power, it seemed to be running OK. The Bishops Wood test and sections went well. We took the test slowly and cleared it. The Restart on the section was testing, but this time I opted to just drop the front wheel into the box. This allowed a better run up and we got away cleanly. Two sections to go!
The final two sections are spectacular. Propped high on the side of the cliff, just south of Perranporth, the Blue Hills Mine sections are a favourite for spectators, and the good weather had certainly brought them out. The hill was packed. We were still on Bronze and had these two to clean to get our first medal. The first section was a simple affair with a tricky cobbled slab at the end. I approached the start line and we were ready to start when I thought the bike was misfiring. Not wanting to be pressed into riding the section until I was ready, I revved the bike and sure enough, it was missing! I declined the offer to start and pushed the bike back from the start line and after quickly checking, diagnosed the misfire to the RH cylinder. Now a good part of the event is preparation and it’s vital to prepare the bike well prior to the event and pack a handful of spares just in case; luckily I’d packed a spare plug. A few minutes later the engine was running correctly again, it was only a whiskered plug, but I replaced it anyway. We approached the start line for a second time.
We entered the section well enough but were caught out by the slippery cobbles, approaching from the right the bike slid left and we hit the bank stopping instantly; it was a fail. With the Marshals trying to encourage us to leave the section (shouting actually), we turned the bike around and had another go, this time we approached from the left sticking close to the bank that we hit first time around and we got up. Next time we will know!!
The final section was steep and very narrow, but with teamwork we got up it. Bob was on the back getting the wheel to grip and I was hanging over the front keeping it down. I was so far over the front end that more than once my thigh hit the horn button. We had a Restart and, as before I place the front wheel in the box to give us a run up to the final part of the section a sharp right hander. We got away OK, and even managed to turn the corner!
At the top we reflected on the trial. Although we still had 20 miles or so to go to the finish, I was sure we would get there. The failure at the bottom of the hill had cost us a medal, but looking back at it, the stall at Section 1, the first of the night, was the real let down. We continued on to the finish at Penhale, handed in our numbers and signed off. Col Gibson was there with the transport back, so we loaded the bike in the van, but we could not leave without having a pint. We left the pub at 15:30hrs, it had been a long day (two days actually) and we were pretty much exhausted. We were disappointed not to have secured a medal, but we are encouraged that we are getting better. With the van heater on, Bob and I were asleep within minutes!
As I write this, we still await the official results. I’m sure they will reflect the truth and we will get a finishers certificate. The bike is stripped, the chair is off and I have a few minor modifications. As for the engine, the bike definitely seized (running hot due to a weak mixture is my guess) and result is a cracked RH liner. As the engine was bored out to the maximum (+ 0.060”) the cylinder walls were too thin to take the pressure of a seizure. New liners please – ouch - expensive!
The next MCC event is the Edinburgh Trial which is held on the first weekend in October. If you fancy an adventure, get the bike out and give it a go. We will be there!
LtCol Mike Tizard