THE 94th Travers Trophy Trial took place on Sunday (September 21st) in glorious weather conditions.
Sponsored by RA Dalton, Cowshill and organised by the Newcastle and District Motor Club, this motorcycle endurance race, one of the oldest trials in the country, began and ended at The Allenheads Inn, Northumberland. Over 130 riders from around the country spent seven hours on their machines traversing wild countryside in three different counties and over 40 miles in total.
Along the way, they encountered 40 sections of what appeared to the uninitiated to be impossible obstacles to overcome on a motorbike – or even on foot! Huge rocks, almost vertical hills, deep water and ravines, and in between some of the most outstanding views of rural countryside to be found anywhere in the world. These sections are watched over carefully by markers who never miss a foot being put down! The idea, of course, is to negotiate your machine without the need to place a foot on the floor (dabs) – the eventual position of the rider will depend on how many ‘dabs’ he or she had. And there were some female contestants too!
The Travers Trophy Trial was founded in 1921 when riders – all male – on their relatively primitive machines and wearing the obligatory long gaberdine overcoat attempted the apparently impossible sections – and usually succeeded. In those early days and for decades afterwards, the trial began at The Golden Lion in St John’s Chapel. Trials were not held during WW2 and Covid but have gone ahead every other year.
It is a huge undertaking with a lot of unseen work and preparation by the Newcastle and District Motor Club aided by the local people including the course marking team, led by Stephen Dalton from Cowshill who ensured none of the riders lost their way in the hundreds of thousands of acres of wild moors and fells.
And so, with the scene set for a full day of riding and negotiating sections, the first of the riders left Allenheads at 9:30am prompt followed by riders in pairs every minute afterwards, which took over an hour! Some members of the Weardale Motor Club took part, of course, as they always have done. And these included members of the Dalton family who have long been associated not only with the Travers but other motorcycle events in the area. This family business – RA Dalton Waste Water Specialists – put their money where their mouth is and sponsor the event.
For the many spectators from all over the country who were dotted around the 40 miles of the course that took in upper Weardale and Cumbria, they enjoyed a spectacular event in brilliant sunshine. There is no better way to showcase all that is good about our own Weardale and surrounding countryside.
With the Bonny Moor Hen hopping about the roads, the Meadow Pippets’ cry as they awaited the bikes and the chances of encountering the odd Adder, the spectators were never bored! And, to keep their interest in between sections, there was also a tractor run in the upper Dale and a vintage motorbike run too! Absolute bliss!
Thanks must go to John Hutchinson, the man who held it altogether, which was no easy task and his team of helpers, all volunteers! The organisation of the whole event was second to none – perhaps some of you may consider entering Parliament?
The landowners who allowed the event to take place on their property are to be congratulated too for ensuring this long-standing competition could continue. Without them, it simply could not.
In the end, the winner was Richard Saddler from Richmond Motor Club Ltd – many congratulations to him too but for every one who attempted this trial of endurance and expertise is to be congratulated too, especially all those who finished! Well done to you all.
It was a sporting spectacular like no other and all our own doorstep.
