Horsham Riders

December 2012Club News

DECEMBER 2012NO. 207

www.horshamridrers.co.ukOFFICIALSSecretary : Fiona Husband 01306 712317Email contributions : fiona@hrc1.orgChairman : Ian McCullochEditor : Dick Husband 01403 257094Trials : Mike Husband : 01403 257626 mike@motomerlin.co.ukTeam Manager: Adrian Holloway 07964 179711Site Officers: Mannings Heath- Ian McCulloch 01403 263667: North-lands- Mike Husband 01403 257626, Rome- Tim Husband 01306712317 : Wallis Wood- John Charman 01403 786441

HR EVENTSØ DECEMBER

SUN 16 PRACTICE DAY   Halnaker

Ø JANUARYTUE 1 BOGNOR CLUB TRIAL   Halnaker PitSUN 6 HR CLUB TRIAL   Rome Woods   Team AjaysSUN 13 EASTBOURNE GROUP TRIALSUN 20 PRACTICE DAY   HALNAKERFRI 25 HR QUIZ NIGHT AT Six Bells Newdigate   book

Your place now!!SUN 27 BOGNOR CLUB TRIAL   Headown, Buriton

Ø NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING 13TH FEB AT SIX BELLS

Ø AGM 15TH APRIL ALSO AT SIX BELLS, NEWDIGATE

NEWS AND COMMENT for your Special ChristmasEdition!!

Website   please note new address www.horshamriders.co.uk   andthanks to Mike who had to set it all up again under the new name

Membership   your renewal form is with this issue   please do notthrow it away, please complete it now and either post it or bring it tothe next event with the payment. It will make a lot less work for Fionaif it’s done properly. If your phone, address, inside leg measurementis unchanged just put SAME   but be sure to put your NAME at thetop!

Social Evening – Food, Drink,Good Company, Quiz, Prizes

Friday 25th January at the Six Bells,Newdigate 7.30 for 8

One course £8Two courses £11Three courses £14

Choice Menus as below :

StartersCelery Soup with Granary BreadCrab Cakes with Sald and sweet chilli saucePate with Toast

MainSausage, Mash and VegHam, 2 free range eggs and chips

Macaroni Cheese with Salad and Granary Breat

PuddingSticky Toffee pudding with toffee sauce and ice creamCrumble with custardSelection of ice creams

Info required is name, meal choice, then phone to Ian, Dick or Fionaor emailPay on night, but please do come!

We are trying to get as many as possible to build this into an annualevent for the club. Make an effort to support our efforts and bringfamily and friends too.

Small AdsIf you want to continue your small ad in the Newsletter, please sendpayment with your membership renewal. To start a new one sendpayment and details of advert.

RIDERS FOR HEALTH   We received a note from RforH advising thatthey have been chosen as the official international charity for thisyears  Times  Christmas  Appeal  and  thanking  all  those  that  have

donated over the past which has helped them achieve this (2nd timein 5 years). Their projects are now improving health care for 12million people across Africa and they hope that with continued supportthey can reach 25 million people over the next 5 years.

TEAMS – comment from AdrianFirstly many thanks to all those that have set-out this year, It reallydoes help sharing the task around, rather than rely on the same oneor two people every month. Of course we all rely on Dick and Fionaso special thanks to them.On to the teams, I’m trying to swap a few people about to accommo-date requests and also to cover some of the teams that have lostmembers or have had no shows during the year although I won’tmove anyone around without asking. If you need to let me know youravailability has changed or want to set out at another venue thenplease let me know preferably before January either call me on 07964179711 or email me at ajholloway@sky.com Don’t forget when yourejoin in January you agree to help set out and clear up one trialduring the year and if not already on a team expect me to come andfind you. Also if you can add your contact details when you rejoin withcontact number and email address it would be much appreciated sincemyself and a few team leaders have had trouble contacting someteam members.Merry Christmas and all the best for the New Year, Adrianp.s. Adam if you’re reading this no you’re not getting a Gasgas 125for Christmas! You will learn not to ride sections better than me oneway or the other....

FROSTY RECEPTION AT MANNINGS HEATH

Club Trial 2nd December

Arrive   The Jimmies team only had 3 to mark out Pete B, Mick R andGary S, between them they produced some high scores withoutgetting a lot of dnfs. Even the lake was half frozen when Pete arrivedto open the gates and everyone had stories of how thick the frost wason their windscreens. A bit later the sun shone strong and brightgiving  the  riders  a  new  excuse    couldn’t  see  where  I  was  going,otherwise I was clean!

Sign On   Stuart E says it’s too cold for Tony and Phil, shows it sortsthe men from the boys. I’m trying to get the clubhouse heating going  that gets a remark from John P   Why bother it’s full of hot air inthere anyway   He tells me he’ll just finished restoring a 98 cc MotoGuzzi, I ask how it goes, reply   SLOWLY.  Two missing faces appear,Pete and Benge, P had missed out this year trying to refurb his housein the wettest year ever, Benge only commented how profitable

cannabis growing can be as he puffed his reefer. Chairman Ianshowers paperwork on the office in preparation for the social evening,this happens to be on Burns Night so look forward to seeing theMcCulloch kilt in action fronted with an HR sporran. John M, anotheroccasional visitor riding his old red Fantic which later gave him a dip

in the lake. Dan B and Tom H arecongratulated on returning thecleanest  kit  this  year    othersplease note. John Y is Kevinless,missing for months, he reckons  Clint  brings  a  Pampera  for  Peteto  use  but  he  didn’t  enter    MikeHyden says his dad is dog sledging  best  thing  the  weather    andFiona confirms a rider was namedWardrobe, can’t hang anything onhim, he finished well up on theBlues, then sent a message onfacebook to say he rode Yellows!

Action   Steve F spends ages out­side Mike’s van pumping UP backtyre. The only other bike needingattention was Graham K on his 3rdlap, his flywheel came off andbroke  the  key    he  ended  uppunching a lap of 5’s to avoid a dnf!

But on the course things were livening up.

Section 9 – Just in time I arrive to see Stuart E fall on the wet up andwatch the hard push out, but Steve P manages a 3. Benge surprisedwith a clean till he misses the ends and goes into Section 10 “I mustget my glasses” he says. Pete B follows and drops off, Ian and RayM just stay with it legs going paddle steamers. John P takes 5.

Section 8 - Adrian H was sorry I just missed his big 5 on Yellowswhich Adam H was pleased to have cleaned and Mick D lost only 1.This section crossed the muddy ditch several times for White and Blue  it had Andy D and Craig C jumping all round impressively to cleanand Tom H struggles only to get 5. Dan B was amazed at his cleanride and felt insulted when asked which gate he’d missed.

Section 3,4,5   compared to 8,9,10 were unspectacular, only seeing

Mick R and Gary Sclean their own sec-tions, so I returnedthis time to

Section 10    whichwent down virtuallyinto the lake and anextremely hard exitparticularly for White.Mike H had given upon Whites and beganto do some Blues toget a dnf. On thissection he got down

to the water and turned back up. Andy D dropped 5 but Mick Rmanaged a 3 at maximum revs as did Sean S. Benge uses 4th gearon Yellows to get up and miss the ends again, while Chris H just fivesit.

Afters § As he exits 10 after pushing up the steep bit he lays across

the bars panting and exhausted, I ask him to look happy,think of the money you’ve saved, this exercise at a fitnessclub would cost £500. Maybe says Graham but it’s lesslikely I’ll die

§ Steve Hook told me Clint and Steve F asked for a 5 onSection 8, I reported this to CofC Mick R who related astory from riding in the HOAD trial years ago. A vast hillconfronted him which he attacked only to loop ½ way up,when an onlooker said “I’m surprised you tried that, SteveSaunders just asked for a 5!”

§ John P had great pleasure picking up long term Y leadingrider whose foot was trapped under his bike – was he doinga hard bit? I ask, “No, he was punching his card when thebike fell over!”

§ Tim H went to put the mockers on John M as he was ridinghis old Fantic so well cleaning ones that many couldn’t getthrough. The Mockers must have worked and Tim wasdelighted to see John fall in the water.

§ Best of all Clint’s leg and back, in spite of supports, aregiving him gee-up. He’s shopping in Crawley holding bagswhen a bloke comes out from an osteopath tent to tell him

he ain’t standing too well – “Well my limbs have had yearsof abuse riding motorcycles” says Clint …… As he walksaway the man says “I can do nothing for you!”

And ResultsThe half way scores were double what we aim for, when it’s hard andeveryone is getting a 3 or a 5 on particular sections it doesn’tdifferentiate a lot. Look at blues result and the spacing between finalscores are very small, almost the same as a very easy event i.e. ones,twos, fours etc. Only when a really good rider (Andy Dudman) comesalong is the difference noticed. Our target of 40 for the ½ way scoreis about right I’d say.

Look down the results list and you’ll find nothing surprising andeveryone in the right order more or less separated by a dab or two,still, everyone had a good work out and even Rob E on a huge scoredidn’t have a moan – he was flakers!

EndsWe were all finished early as very few had stopped for a break atlunchtime, riding had kept them warm but the pond was still frozen.Thanks to the Jimmies for putting on the event and Ian too forsensibly setting out a compact course. After a lot of Merry Christmas-es all that was left was the lengthy addition of holes in the wrong

columns, Fiona’s computerised results and this rubbish – HappyChristmas

RESULTS

RESULTS SHEET EVENT

NAME ROUTE TotalAndy Dudman W 30Craig Coppard W 53Mick Rivett W 61Steve Farrall W 77Clint Leggett W 77Sean Staker W 78Mike Husband W dnf

Toby Robinson B 62Dan Berrisford B 65Michael Hyden B 69Tom Horsborough B 71Stuart Evans B 79Tim Husband B 79Steve Parker B 82John Mitchell B 90Graham Knight B 100Ray Morris B 104Ian McCulloch B 109Robert Jones B dnf

Gary Stewart Y 42John Yardley Y 48Paul Aylett Y 49Adrian Holloway Y 57Mick Dunstan Y 60Pete Brooker Y 65Andrew Wardrobe Y 81John Pocklington Y 82Chris Heron Y 86Benge Y 87Leslie Castle Y 104Adam Holloway Y 117Rob English Y 160

Jack Taylor R 36

Analysis Ent DNF % Fin 1/2 wayWhite 7 1 86 77Blue 11 1 91 81Yellow 15 1 93 81Red 1 0 100 36

LOOKING BACK AT 2012   A YEAR TO FORGET   we always usedto say lucky old HR, it’s always fine, the gods smile on us   not anymore   . what have we done to offend them?

January Rome Very wet have to ease sections Entry 38February MH Snow – some won’t enter the site! Entry 24March NL RAIN – Couldn’t get round course Entry 32April Rome 1 Route Trial Entry 42May MH Cancelled due to Forestry workJune WW WET and Rain Entry 13July NL Camp – wet, hay not cut Entry 20+37August MH Reverse Trial – wet Entry 32Sept Rome Wet ground, got worse Entry 37Oct NL Wet course, fine on day Entry 42Nov Rome Flooded roads and very wet Entry 20Dec MH Frosty, cold wet course but sunny Entry 32

To summarise entries down and it didn’t stop raining!

Tradition says at Christmas Time you get a cornypoem – this is a tale of why our entries were downin 2012 …….

We are the men of HorshamAnd Trialling is our gameWe right what’ere the weatherFearless Riders is our name

Show us rain, the cold and wetSlippy slopes for section setWe may fall and bruises getSo we don’t decide to go just yet

Come the day it’s mind up timeAnd the weathers getting colderIt’s all very well for the younger onesBut me – I’m getting older

Under the sheets I think aboutThe challenges that lie aheadThen I know the sections willBe easier cleaned if I stay in bed

The bike is ready in the shedIt’s crying for me to use itI live in hope it will not startSo the trial? I’ll be excused it.

The petrol’s on, the chokes pulled outI gently prod the kickerBlasted bike goes straight awayIt makes me feel much sicker

My missus shouts “ain’t you gone yet”You know my mother’s visitingThat’s one thing that gets me outChance of lie in quick diminishing

I stick the Gasser on the trailerA thought is running through my brainP’raps it’s best I go and watch asAlready it’s begun to rain

Then thinking as I drive awayOf all the marks I know I’ll loseI pull in at the local pubIt’s warm, cosy and full of booze

And as it’s cold and pouring downThe glass gets refilled once againToo late now so there’s no choiceBut to drive the car back home in shame

So not wishing to be accusedOf not out riding with the triersI stop beside a nearside fieldTo rub some mud on both my tyres

Had a nice day? My ma in law saysAre you soaked my dear she cried“More ways than one” I start to say“A really tough day” I lied

So the moral of my story showsFor your next years’ resolutionState you’ll enter every trialAnd for last years’ sins gain absolution!

Mannings Heath working party 17/11/12After lots of wet weather the day dawned reasonably bright.Dick, Tim, Fiona, Adrian H and Mick D along with myself werein attendance. My original intention had been to do someclearing at the far end of the site. Several fallen trees need tobe cleared, this work will give us two or maybe three newsections. Unfortunately on the day we had no chain saws sothat work was deferred for another day. At this point ourbeloved editor took control of proceedings and directed us toclear several areas at the base of the hill adjacent to where thestream feeds into the pond. Our glorious leader assured us thatwe used to use this part of the land but no-one present wassufficiently aged to remember. Having said that the work donewill prove very useful when the ground is drier as it will givesome of us new ground to ride and open up other bits that wewere familiar with.It was whilst doing this that I was granted, what I was assured,was a great privilege. Picture, if you will our vertically chal-lenged editor musing at the bottom of the hill “ We used to goup there, down here, I never could do either but was justpleased to be here etc. etc. “ Having come back to reality saidshort person realises that his knee hurts and he is stuck at the

bottom of the hill. He refuses all offers of help but grants methe huge honour of holding his chopper whilst he negotiates hisascent. I was somewhat reticent when the request was firstmade but on being told that this was an honour only granted tothe Chairman of the club I grasped it with both hands – well onehand actually because it wasn’t very big! A successful morningand a new experience for me.As I have said before working parties are good fun but they doalso help maintain and find new ground for sections, adding toeveryone’s enjoyment. All help is welcome and if you have achain saw or machete, axe etc. please bring them along as theydo make the work so much easier.Ian Mac.

A Christmas Tale.In the past I have written about the special powers that Dickseems to possess. These range from seemingly making a riderfall off in his presence at a section that he or she has cleanedeasily before to creating super strength food related viruses,now used by most western governments in the “war againstterror”. Those of you who have heard Dick rant will note hisconstant mention of his age. He tells us that he is in his eighties.I dispute this, see below.As you may be aware from my previous notes on Dick, via myexalted position within the club, I have had access to theinformation held on him by MI5, MI6, the FBI and the CIA. Ashas previously been demonstrated by our illustrious policeforces, organisations such as this are not good at sharinginformation. Now that I am retired I have sufficient time totrawl through all the available records and I believe that, havingcollated all the facts that I now have the truth about Dick.Please consider the following facts:1. He is very short.2. He has a beard.3. He smokes a pipe.4. He likes beer and gets stroppy if the supply is cut off.5. He wanders around talking to himself.6. He will appear out of nowhere and make you fall off your

bike.7. He has proven mystical culinary powers.8. He is extremely old.I was aware of all this but the penny did not finally dropuntil I saw him at the foot of the hill during the working partyat Mannings Heath. When he thought no-one was listening Isaw him talking to plants, animals and the earth itself. Heseemed to be asking the “way back”.Via parish records I have established that Dick was born in 1892.His father’s profession was stated as “Keeper of the Gates toMiddle Earth”. Little is known of his early life but a meeting withhim was recorded by J R R Tolkein in 1916 when he wasconvalescing having been injured in the First World War. Anaspiring writer he was researching for his first book. After themeeting he noted “ Having met Mr Husband I now have a clearvision of the main character for the book and it’s name”.Yes folks it’s true, Dick Husband is The Hobbit and he will be120 years old in 2012.

Happy Christmas

Write something for the Xmas newsletter" said theCaravan Dweller. "And do it by tomorrow".Well, the only thing we old folk do instantly is nostalgia, so whynot look at the sporting activities of local motorcyclists in timesgone by? I happen to have by my side a copy of the SouthEastern Centre Gazette for July 1957, which is where entryforms for all events in Sussex, Surrey and Kent were to be found.

As this was the summer period, there are several grass trackmeetings advertised, including one at Middle Barn Farm,Pulborough. Also popular were Road Trials. These have nowmore or less died out, and were events which you entered onyour road bike, possibly with a pillion passenger, and attemptedto find your way round a deliberately confusing road route whilemaintaining a set average speed.In August 1957 the Surrey Hills Club were proposing to holdsuch an event, starting at Ripley in Surrey at one minute pastmidnight on a Friday, and following a 250 mile route to an

overnight stop near Aberystwyth, followed by a different 250mile route back to Ripley the following day, all at an averagespeed of 30mph. No motorways then of course but plenty ofsore bums I think.

Observed trials were rare in summertime in those days, butriders could enter the Sunbeam Novice Trial at Cross-in-Hand(entry fee 6 shillings and 6 pence, entries limited to 250) andthere was mention in the Ralph Venables column of the recentTalmag Sporting Trial held at Weavers Down which attracted anentry of 276! I hope the back marker was fairly young at thestart of the event, or he might not have lived to see the finish.

And if that was not excitement enough for you, there wasalways the Witley Club Gymkhana at Shalford Park, Guildford,on 20th July, where there was to be a Moto-Ball match betweenNorth Hants MCC and Border MCC.

Ah, the good old days. Nurse, Nurse another brandy please!John P

From Horsham Riders to the Dakar!

Paul Jay, who rode some of our club trials a few years ago isriding this year’s Dakar Rally. As you may know, the Dakar nolonger visits Dakar anymore, it’s all now in South America.Surprisingly, seven Brits are riding this year. It’s the ultimateoff road race - 6000 miles over 16 days with only one rest dayand they say the minimum cost for a privateer is about£40,000! Paul’s riding a self-prepped 450 Honda and we wishhim the best of luck, - he’ll need it!Paul’s tale is on his blog at pauljaydakar.com and the event website is dakar.com

FOR SALE2008 Gas Gas Raga 250, well maintained, club use, £2200 ono –Contact Kevin on 01273 601465

2011 Gas Gas 125cc nicely jetted Keihin, ported cylander head,very torquey engine, £2.300. Also S3 cylinder head kit £80 extra.Ring Graham Manthorpe 01444 811760 or 07931572956.

2009 Gas Gas 300 Road Reg, MOT, soft engine £2150 mayconsider part-ex... Mike Husband 01403 257626

IN THE CLOTHING CUPBOARD available for a RFH donation · 1 Pair IKON trousers W 24” L 22” · 1 Pair O’Neal trousers W 21” L 19” · 1 OCS Riding Shirt Large 2XL New · Size 3 – 4 boots (not trials)

TRADE ADS(£5 per year for members businesses only - helps you and the club)

MERLIN MOTORCYCLES 2012 Gas Gas: Up to £500 off. Beta,Sherco, Scorpa - Spares, service & tuning too. Trials Training DVDsand books. IRC tyres stocked. Putoline & Castrol oils seewww.motomerlin.org.uk - new online shop MERLIN BOOKS sellmotorcycle books and DVDs, secondhand motorcycle books alwayswanted www.merlinbooks.com Mike Husband 01403 257626

HEADLINE ENGINEERING For aluminium and stainless welding -helicoil thread repairs - cylinder head, brake discs/drums refining - allmachining work - one off and prototypes.Phone Derek head 01306 712565

JOHN CHARMAN   Excavator for hire with driver   groundwork,ponds, ditches, drainage, fencing. Good rates for club members. Tel01403 786441 Mob 07967 466920

WANTED   BIKES AND PARTS Project Bikes, Garages cleared. I breakbikes so anything considered. Also Metal Detecting land wanted, 50/50 split  to discuss any of the above please call 0208 763 8920, mob 07948 789601,email trailbikestore@btinternet.com    Pete    partsrecycle.com    Free  onlineauction.

AJAYS JANUARY DUGGIES FEBRUARY ENFIELDS MARCHMike Husband W 01403 257626 Pete Brooker B 01273 832912 Sean Parsons W 01403 730799Les Castle Y 07866 544634 Jesse Brooker W 01273 832912 Jack Northover B 01403 710776Adrian Beech Y 07930 732717 B 07774 455604 Graham Knight B 01293 871955Tony Ryan Y 07771 791292 Y 07769 944472 Martin Tooley Y 01403 734775

Y 07912 560196 Y 07743 588540 James Turner Y 01293 871663

HARLEYS APRIL FANTICS MAY MONTIES JUNEClint Leggett W 01306 711038 Sam Aldrich W 01403 273862 John Charman W 01403 786441Gary Medhurst B 01293 775106 Y 01403 273862 Harry Ross Y 07815 659827Tony Van der H Y 01403 269567 John Pock'ton Y 01798 813827 Chris Heron Y 01444 241355

B 01342 715959 Mick Dunstan Y 01403 711962 Steve Parker B 07984 038622B Michael Hyden Y 01403 258352 Ben Rinds Y 07984 038622

B 01403 258352

KWACKERS JULY INDIANS AUGUST COSSACKS SEPTEMBERTim Husband B 01306 712317 Ian McCulloch B 01403 263667 Adrian HollowayB 07964 179711Phil Walker W 01293 412905 Brian Barnes B 01403 730623 Dave Alder Y 02083 979660Tony Flegg W 01293 419867 Eric Scutt B 01403 731810 Mark Johnson B 01273 813782Stuart Evans B 07799 626730 Paul Barnes W 01403 733255 Sam Davidson W 07795 006823

Ian Johnstone Y 02083 930048 Joe Davidson YAdam Holloway R

LAVERDOS OCTOBER GREEVIES NOVEMBER JIMMIES DECEMBERJohn Yardley Y 01273 555391 Dan Berrisford B 01293 873788 Pete Bowker W 01483 490586Kevin McDavitt B 01273 601465 Y 01273 843489 Eddie Charman W 07989 300797Bob Collins B 01342 713808 Y 07825 176636 B 07854 571919Nigel Bray Y 01323 893510 Y 07751 335445 W 01306 628077Tom Bray W Tom Horsborough B 07833 347303 Y 01306 627464

Mark Stubberfield B 07889 768685

2013 PROVISIONAL DATESIf you are unable to do your turn please try to arrange a substitute

Date Event Site Team Date Event Site TeamJAN Sun 6 Club Trial Rome Ajays JUL Sat 6 Camp w/end N Lands KwackersFEB Sun 3 Club Trial M Heath Duggies JUL Sun 7 Camp w/end N LandsMAR Sun 3 Club Trial N lands Enfield AUG Sun 4 Club Trial M Heath Indians

Sat 9 Work Party RomeAPR Sun 7 Club Trial Rome Harleys SEPT Sun 1 Club Trial Rome Cossacks

Sat 20 Practice N landsMAY Sun 5 Club Trial M Heath Fantics OCT Sun 6 Club Trial N Lands Laverdos

Sun 12 Group Trial RomeMon 27 Club Trial WW Monties NOV Sun 3 Club Trial Rome Greevies

JUNE Sat 15 Practice M Heath DEC Sun 1 Club Trial M Heath Jimmies

A 285 Chichester to Petw orth Approx 1 mile north of Halnaker Village - Start 10 amHalnaker Trials Park Dates for 2013Jan 20, Feb 17, Mar 17, Apr 21, May 19, June 16, July 21, Aug 18, Sept 15, October 20, Nov 17, Dec 15

Benge

Teams 2013

John Bateup

Darren TeateGordon BrownKieron Garlic

Joe Aldrich

Rob HydenWill Bateup

Joe BeardMick RivettGary Stewart

Ray MorrisNick GreenSteve Jones