Gilbert and Possy shock the rocks on Fell Green
Riders from all parts of the country descended on Fell Green, Bootle on the last Sunday of October for the final round of the 2022 Rockshocks Classic Trials Championship with 74 riders starting the two lap 20 section course high on the fells overlooking the Isle of Man across the Irish Sea.
Six classes tackled either a hard or clubman course, divided into Twinshock, Britshock and Air-cooled Monoshock. The top men over the two routes were from either end of the UK with local Expert James Postlethwaite topping the Twinshock hard route and Devonian Martin Gilbert (lead picture) claiming the easy course overall win in the Britshock category.
Mark Jenkinson Richard Allen
However, whilst Fell Green is arguably one of the most challenging Rockshock rounds, the trial became an even greater challenge as the day was hit by horrendous weather with torrential rain falling for much of the event. Many of the sections were in streams which rose considerably as the day progressed, becoming whitewater cascades at higher levels of the terrain.
Closest to toppling Gilbert from the win was Jake Gowan, brother of Joel who had set out the trial and Jake rode his brothers roarty BSA Britshock to great effect and only an unexpected five prevented him from matching the Devon rider’s excellent score of just 14 marks.
James Postlethwaite James Williams
Young Postlethwaite was very much the master of the hard course with a clear 7 mark advantage over William Tolson whist series regulars Chris Garlick and Richard Allen had to settle for lower overall placings though in both cases they were best in class.
The weather proved to be the main handicap during the day with over two dozen riders calling it a day due to machine failures and the inclement weather as the 10 round series came to a close.
In 2023 when the popular series recommences there will be three rounds in Cumbria by the Sedbergh Club on May 20, Westmorland on May 21 and Cumberland County on August 6.
Full results are under the Results link with Kitch pics appearing when he has dried out his Nikons