COMBINING riding skills with horsepower, biking enthusiasts of all abilities gave their all in the first trials event of the year, staged by Bolton Motorcycle Club.

A total of 65 competitors gathered in Edgworth for the Phoenix Series trial, with some highly impressive outings across the four categories; easy, 50/50, middle and hard.

The Phoenix event gave riders a chance to pit their skills against one another in preparation for the first meeting in the 2017 Novex Series, which gets under way in Cliviger later this month.

Organisers set up the courses in order to offer a challenge to competitors of a range of experience and ability, and introduced the 50/50 category – half of which was on the easy course and the other half on the intermediate – to help riders bridge the gap between the two.

The days was deemed a huge success by those present, not least Clive Tomkinson, who first joined in 1963 and is now chairman of the club, which will celebrate its centenary in three years’ time.

“I remember many past events where the courses were just too difficult,” he said.

“This is changing slightly, thankfully we didn’t have any accidents but I don’t think the course was easy, by any means.

“We try to cater for riders of all classes and it was a good challenge for each.

“We set out a straightforward route for the novices and from there a few extra hazards came in and everyone taking part thought it was a good test.”

Clive and his fellow committee members were pleased with the turnout and they hope to attract more new blood throughout the year.

The club – affiliated to and insured with the Autocycle Union – has an impressive base in Halliwell Road that has recently been refurbished.

It is hoped it will become a centre for members to enjoy social

activities without their wheels.And Clive – who, at the age of 70, is still to be seen on his bike – is hoping it will become a buzzing hive of activity, as it used to be in days gone by.

“When I joined years ago the club was buzzing and we would like to engage with the people of Bolton once again,” he said.

“We had a good day for the Phoenix Series trial and we would like to make people aware there is more to motorsport than just the doom and gloom associated with it due to unsociable riders.

“We are hoping to rekindle relations with the council in order to provide opportunities for people to take up a new sport and we need as much help and support as we can get to move forward.”

For more information on Bolton Motorcycle Club and its activities contact them via the website at boltonmotorcycleclub.com