Cold weather greeted the 2017 Novice Cup and President’s Cup riders! Thanks to everyone that braved the cold. Congratulations to the 2017 Novice Cup Winner – Jeff Seely! And to the 2017 Master Cup Champion – Kyle Wedgeworth! Full results here.

Results courtesy of Tom Batchelor

It could not have been better weather or course conditions.  The sections were both fun and challenging, with none of our 23 competitors turning in a clean card.  The highlight section was section 6 in the creek, with truly scenic flowing waterfalls used in section, a very rare feature for us.

Note, a recount of scores in Amateur changed the preliminary results, check the final results here.

Mitch Ely.

Results, courtesy of Stephen Hetzel

Recap:

Yes it was hot.  But it was hot when Stephen, Wayne, Brett Cooper and Papa Wolf did all the work laying out the sections so we could ride.  Thanks from all 22 of us.  As Scottish trials go we all had to ride up on some sections but as Stephen said it will let you know what you need to practice on.  Section 5 was a 2 and 3 line… I don’t think I could have cleaned it and Ray Donaldson said they were giving high fives if they got a 3.

Bill Scarborough won first with Ray close behind.  Speaking of Novices, we are getting a little low on new riders but Steve Ligon bought the TL 125 I found and I delivered an Ossa Saturday for Steve Hackney’s buddy Bruce Blau who is planning on joining us.  The Amateur (2 line) is our biggest group and we had 7 riders.  Steve Hackney dropped out after the first loop so he wouldn’t crash Bruces new bike.  James Wipff had to work extra hard to win but Greg Grasshoff and Kirk Massey were 2nd and 3rd respectively and they are getting closer and closer to James’ scores each event.  Actually Kirk and Greg tied with Greg winning by one clean.  Keep watching the “old guy” and you will guys will be moving up soon.  I had the other “old guy” in my group (Papa Wolf) so when we were all struggling in section six I watched Jeff slow down in the creek, make the turn in the gravel and catch the perfect line up the hill.  I cleaned it (that part) after learning from the “old guy” so pay attention.  So far they are not charging for lessons!  Jim Taylor wrapped up this years Expert line with his 5th First place but he had to wake up (his air mattress went flat during the night) on the third loop.  Me and Jim were tied at the end of the 2nd loop but Tom Sharkey was beating us by 6 points.  Jim had a good 3rd loop to tie Tom and ended up winning by 1 clean.  Congratulations to Jim for a good season.  Also big cud-dos to Tom.  He just moved up to Expert at the end of last season and has been settling for 2nd, 4th or 5th places but Sunday he was kicking butt and taking names.  Way to go Tom!  And of course David Mooney had a good ride taking less points on the Master line than I did on the Expert line.  I do want to thank my group for helping me get through the last 2 loops by letting me catch my breath between sections. It was hot and rough but a great event. Even Kevin Schwantz came with a truck load of modern bikes and some friends who rode in the heat but they seemed to enjoy the day.

I am getting ready for Bluebonnet, lacing a new hub to my front wheel (first crash loop 1 section 12) and still looking for my air adjustment screw which probably fell out when I was upside down (2nd crash loop3 section 2).  So lets use the off season to fix and tune and practice while we wait for cooler weather.  Have a good summer.

Recap courtesy of Tom Willis