Cumberland County MCC
New Year’s Day Trial, 1st January 2016
Blaze fell, Armathwaite
Report by Derek Wilson
Tom Alderson hits top spot at Blaze fell
Cumberland County held its annual New Days trial at Blaze fell,Armathwaite. After a long spell of
prolonged wet weather which has devastated many parts of the county, it was a welcome break to
have a dry day, which was enjoyed by a strong entry of nearly 70 competitors. Tom Alderson kept his
composure over the ten section four lap event to keep a clean sheet and subsequently win the
event. Two routes catered for the regular clubmen and also easier option, which was won by Martin
Pratt with a loss of 9 marks, Brian Graham also Beta mounted claimed second spot on 11 marks lost.
Section number one proved a straight forward opener causing few problems for both routes;
however section number two proved considerably trickier. Located in amongst dead bracken the
rocky outcrop became slippery and tricky to negotiate feet up, as you weaved over and between the
well planted rocks. Section number Ten was the hardest of the day, David Seales was the observer in
charge, riders had to ride over rocks then make a tight right turn before going over and between
some large sandstone rocks towards the out cards, the latter parts of the section deteriorated as it
dug out and became increasingly slippery.
At the end of the trial everybody had a smile on their face after enjoying a day on the bike, after
suffering several cancelled events recently.
Best wishes to you all for 2016 from all at Cumberland County
See you all in Feb for round one of the MHB sponsored series