13th May, Manawatu (Boltons, Ashhurst (Saddle Bridge))
I had a much better sleep Saturday night. Obviously I was still tired on Sunday morning but it was more from riding all day Saturday than lack of sleep.
Lynley, Abe, and I all got MacDonalds for breakfast and were singing all the way out to the trial to annoy Daniel. We got a park close to the sign-on tent so, even though it was raining, it was only a short way to go to sign on.
On the first section we had a bank that was more an A Grade bank than an Intermediate one. I was quite worried about it and everyone was taking a little longer than usual to walk the section. Eventually, Phil Stevenson came over. I don’t know if anyone went and got him, or if it was just lucky, but he changed the section a bit so that we didn’t all kill ourselves trying to get up.
When we got to the first section under the trees it was looking like it might be reminiscent of the infamous slop feast at Mt Erin the previous year, where people were struggling to walk, let alone ride – it was so slippery.
Thankfully, on the second lap, the sun came out. It couldn’t dry out under the trees where the sun couldn’t reach but at least it didn’t get any worse.
I usually don’t cope with muddy trials very well. I don’t know if it’s because I’ve been riding the KDX where you have to be more on to it otherwise you end up having to push the pig, or if my idea of being happy whether I liked it or not, but I actually rode quite well, even if I do say so myself.
There was still a lot more room for improvement but I had an awesome day, which more than made up for Saturday. Also, I finished FOURTH in Intermediate which is the best placing I’ve had so far.