November 24th 2009
South Midland Centre ACU.
Changes to the Intermediate championship.

From January 1st 2010 in order to score points Intermediate riders must ride the 50/50 route in ALL Intermediate championship events.
There will still be two championships for both Inter` and 50/50.

At non-championship rounds they may ride the expert or other sections if they wish.
The winner of the Intermediate series will still be upgraded on January 1st of the following year.

The existing championship rules for the 50/50 series remain the same, the winner of the 50/50 championship, may ride the following year on a no points basis, but will score again after an interval of one year.

Berkhamsted club note:- If you want more information or an explanation for this change in rules please do not email us as we have no answer, please email Mr Bob Twigg a committee member of the south midland centre ACU with your questions bobtwigg@ntlworld.com

Nov 2nd 2009
Nash Practice ground Work party – 30th October 2009
Today was a good day for the Nash Mills practice ground.
We have newly built or improved lots of sections and plans are in hand for another selection of challenges.

One new route named the “Terry the straight line and preferably flat” will not be immediately obvious in the car parking area but will be appreciated by all at a busy trial.
The “Scottish section” has had some new rocks and the majority of the rocks are now fixed in position and will be open for all rider groups.

The centre ditches adjacent to the canal side, probably better now named the “Dave Channel” has been improved with a new challenging exit comprising of two steps. The mid section “Tim’s choice” has been opened out and a difficult bank and climb has been incorporated.

A new sleeper bank along the railway section should be called “Richard the sledge hammer” or “Arthur’s climb” is a very challenging and I suggest almost impossible when it is wet and sticky, (well for me anyway, Ted promised he would have a go on his golden oldie and if he succeeds then it will be definitely named “Ted’s near death experience”). Three railway sleepers high with another sleeper and rock almost immediately after will tax even our most ambitious expert especially when it is wet.

Also along the railway a new bank will soon appear, “Martin’s pick”, an increase in the height of the bank with dips and swoops will tax the Clubman or Novices. Input from Tim “the cotton reel man” also will be noticed.

The adjacent woodland section “Adi’s cutting” will also compliment the railway embankment with a challenge for the less ambitious among us (ie: me).
The centre section adjacent to the “sign on office” has been refreshed with loosening of the rocks and a new climb for the expert.

But for me the best of the day is “Steve’s reels”, a new set of cotton reels which will be there for the expert fun element and the adjacent “Jamie’s Reels” will entertain the Novices and Clubman among us.

Various new sections will soon appear “Richard’s steps” is good name for them all as he worked so long and hard to arrange for these to be delivered, they are not yet placed, so let us have your ideas and Richard will decide which is the best and it then will be incorporated into the trial ground.

Many thanks to all who helped on the day and thanks to all those who said they would have come but had to work. It is our club and without input from each and every one of us at some time during the season it would be a poorer place.

And lastly thanks to Ted for organising it all, the donated digger and driver “Jason” who worked so hard and was un-stoppable during the day and put up with our constant changes of mind with such good humour.

It was a good day with much enjoyment for all and input was taken from everybody who attended and I highly recommend that you volunteer for the next work party.

Mike Dunks

“The inter club championship” is getting closer, don’t forget to submit your teams to Steph Tombling, Secretary of the meeting. Teams must be composed of 3 riders from the same club (as named on ACU card) and ride 3 different classes and 3 different routes. Each team must provide an observer/team manager. Classes apply to Expert, Intermediates, 50/50, Novice or Clubman, Youth A, B and C and sportsman. As an example, a team could include 1 expert, 1 intermediate and 1 novice/clubman or youth B. Riders are not allowed to ride in a different class from their usual class. For full details of rules, please refer to the document “Inter Club Championship Rules”. There is still plenty of time to enter so start forming your teams!!! The simplest way is to send all 3 entries together in one envelop but alternatively if the entries are sent individually, put the name of the team on your entry form to avoid confusion. Any questions, contact Steph on 01296 330238 or by email >> on the contact link via the website. Cheers everybody!

Inter Club Championship Rules

Sept 21st 2009
You may have heard already that we have been requested to change the venue for our trial on 4th October 2009. The trial will now be held at Dews Farm, Harvil Road, Harefield, Middlesex, UB9 6JN and NOT at the Rocket Plantation, Chalfont St Peter as previously arranged. An announcement will be made in the TMX and on our website but I would appreciate if you could pass the word around to ensure the least confusion possible. Many thanks See you at Dews Farm on 4th StephTrial Secretary

Sept 21st 2009
Round Rocket Plantation
Following abuse of trust, access to the Haslams’ ground, Rocket Plantation, will now be only permitted to those who request authorisation directly from the Haslam’s family. For those concerned, please contact either Adrian, Graham or Ray Haslam to request permission to use the ground for practice. The key has now been removed from its location and a new lock was put in place.

Sept 21st 2009
To all Berko members
Please note that Sizzlers Burger Van will not be at the Bayford Wood trial on December 13th or any further trials at that venue. Due to damage and wear and tear on the trailer, sizzlers are reducing the number of trials attended at venues with poor access as this is the primary cause of the damage.

No Berkhamsted MCC trials are affected.

28th April 2009
Inter Centre twin shock team trial, April 19th 2009 at Wheathill near Ludlow, Shropshire.

Despite having a combined age of nearly two hundred years, the South Midland Centre team of Richard Allen, John Cowley, Graham Haslam and Chris Koch finished in a very creditable second place to a strong South Eastern Centre club team in the Inter Centre twin shock team trial atLudlow recently.

Team manager Chris Koch had chosen his team wisely and drew number one out of the “starting order hat”. Having an early number however did not gain them any undue advantage as the predominantly rocky sections changed as the day wore on. In fact, Chris finished the day on fourmarks lost, one of only eight riders to finish in single figures on the thirty two mile, thirty eightsection course, which featured rocky streams, steep banks and slippery tree roots. Ian Baker fromthe South Western centre finished the trial on three marks lost, a superb ride in the circumstanceson a twin shock machine.

With two ex centre champions in the South Midland team, scoring was low and at the finish the difference in marks between the top three teams amounted to only thirteen marks.
The team would like to thank the South Midland Centre management committee for their help and support in this event and hope to go “one better” in 2010 !