Devon TRF Group Forum

Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Devon TRF Group Open Forum -> General Discussion Board -> Exeter Trail 2013 January 5th Spectating at Simms
Post Info TOPIC: Exeter Trail 2013 January 5th Spectating at Simms
Pete


Devon's Best

Status: Offline
Posts: 2960
Date:
Exeter Trail 2013 January 5th Spectating at Simms
Permalink  

I am going to try to get up early enough to see the bikes go up Simms in 2013 as I'm not working the night beforehand this time. Hundreds of spectators will be lining the hill to watch  competitors on two, three and four wheels attempting to ascend the steep slippery slope.

Anyone else going for a look?

The cars are worth seeing for the sheer variety of machinery and their success rate is that much lower so there is the added interest of will he won't he? A successful climb can raise a cheer that can be heard in the village over a mle away. Here is the video from January 2012.

Here are directions and parking hints, although you can take your bike down to the bottom of the hill if you don't mind parking it in the hedge, but don't expect to be able to get back to the village against the flow of traffic so you will need to brave the hill and spectators when you decide to leave.

Simms

  • Why spectate at Simms?: A question that doesn't really need asking. Simms is generally considered the most difficult hill on any MCC event and it's the one that all competitors want to 'clean' - but very few do. There are always hundreds of spectators and a fantastic atmosphere. The cheer from the crowd when a competitor struggles to the top can be heard across the valley in Ilsington. If you only spectate on one hill on one event each year - go to Simms!
  • Section begins at OS Landranger/Grid Ref: 191/785757.
  • Directions: If heading for the village of Ilsington, please approach from the north west via Bovey Tracey and the B3387. This way you will avoid the trial route shown highlighted on the map below.
  • Parking: Parking is extremely restricted and it is vitally important that we stay on good terms with the local inhabitants of Ilsington and the surrounding hamlets. Try and find a sensible place to park safely, and without causing an obstruction, in the village of Ilsington itself. You will have to walk down the trial route to the section and this can be very narrow in places as there is always a queue of vehicles. The next best alternative is to park somewhere around the crossroads (on the trial route) to the west of the Lounstons but, as always, please park sensibly and without causing an obstruction. You will have to walk down the lane and beware of vehicles coming towards you after exiting the section.
  • Timing (2013): First motorcycle due at 10:40. Last car due at 15:35.
Simms


__________________
Harty


Devon's Best

Status: Offline
Posts: 3402
Date:
Permalink  

I'll be there with flask!

__________________

Culmstock area - Devon TRF Group member - KTM 690 Enduro
delvey91


Devon's Best

Status: Online
Posts: 2961
Date:
Permalink  

Tillerton for me again this year

__________________

 
rich xr


Clubman B

Status: Offline
Posts: 480
Date:
Permalink  

how early are you talking about


__________________
come rain or shine
Pete


Devon's Best

Status: Offline
Posts: 2960
Date:
Permalink  

rich xr wrote:

how early are you talking about

 First motorcycle due at 10:40. Last car due at 15:35.



__________________
bombx3


Expert

Status: Offline
Posts: 1221
Date:
Permalink  

People are realising its a entertaining free day out with a bonus of being near a pub in a lovely village



__________________

Another customer finds himself £20 better off at Teign Tyres and www.teignecotuning.co.uk
devondan


Champion

Status: Offline
Posts: 4637
Date:
Permalink  

I expect I'll be there at the top near the pasty van! But as I'm now nearer Honiton I may find another section?

__________________

Don't trust atoms, they make up everything! 
salcomberider


Clubman B

Status: Offline
Posts: 380
Date:
Permalink  

Im planning on watching this year should be fun

__________________
Ming


Devon's Best

Status: Offline
Posts: 2421
Date:
Permalink  

Want to take me pa-in-law to see it but he can't manage the walk up to Simms - are there other viewing spots in South Devon that don't require a hike in wellies to get to? I know Tipley is used normally but have the same problem getting to view that.

Failiing that will go to the hotel in Torquay they're staying at and gawp there.hmm



__________________
Caution - the poster may well have been drinking........
devondan


Champion

Status: Offline
Posts: 4637
Date:
Permalink  

Fingle Bridge?

http://www.themotorcyclingclub.org.uk/events/exeter_spectate.htm

 

There's also

Woolston Steep

Clifford Ot

Simms

Tipley

Slippery Sam



__________________

Don't trust atoms, they make up everything! 
Pete


Devon's Best

Status: Offline
Posts: 2960
Date:
Permalink  

202-037 has a sign warning the public that the lane is on the intinerary.
There is a short footpath up from the village to the dogleg corner.

__________________
devondan


Champion

Status: Offline
Posts: 4637
Date:
Permalink  

Look at the scheduled time calculator on their web site, http://www.themotorcyclingclub.org.uk/about/downloads.htm But someone will have to identify the lane numbers. I don't know them well enough



-- Edited by devondan on Friday 28th of December 2012 06:13:07 PM

__________________

Don't trust atoms, they make up everything! 
Ming


Devon's Best

Status: Offline
Posts: 2421
Date:
Permalink  

Pete wrote:

202-037 has a sign warning the public that the lane is on the intinerary.
There is a short footpath up from the village to the dogleg corner.

 That's a bit more like it. Easy enough to park nearby and there's a convenient pub within 100yds if we get thirsty. Any ideas of the time the cars and bikes are expected?



__________________
Caution - the poster may well have been drinking........
Pete


Devon's Best

Status: Offline
Posts: 2960
Date:
Permalink  

Sorry the notice does say but I only read as far as the date.
If the bikes arrive at Simms at 10.40 they will only be half an hour or so away from there.
11 to 11.30 ish at a guess.

__________________
Ming


Devon's Best

Status: Offline
Posts: 2421
Date:
Permalink  

Cheers Pete. Will take a look next week as I deliver down that way but if anyone is passing this weekend could you have a look please?



__________________
Caution - the poster may well have been drinking........
Gruff growl


Clubman A

Status: Offline
Posts: 716
Date:
Permalink  

I am the recovery marshal on Fingle again this year, look for me on the long straight. We are expecting the first bikes to be with us just before 08.00.



__________________
Ride faster, i can hear banjo`s!!!
chrisoncbr


Expert

Status: Offline
Posts: 1229
Date:
Permalink  

Marshalling class O at Jobbles again.  Getting up at 2 in the morning.disbelief  Should be a laugh though.



__________________
Chris
Pete


Devon's Best

Status: Offline
Posts: 2960
Date:
Permalink  

Don't ask me which are for which class
03.15 192-122 + 193-315
03.30 192-112
03.55 192-098
04.10 192-090
04.20 192-291
04.45 192-127
05.00 192-283
07.35 191-041
08.00 191-055
10.25 191-067
10.40 191-088
11.00 191-089
12.15 202-053
13.05 202-037

__________________
Ming


Devon's Best

Status: Offline
Posts: 2421
Date:
Permalink  

That gives us a choice of the last 2 lanes mentioned without trekking miles. Have followed a Post Office van down 202-053 a year or two backconfuse Wonder if he's entered in the Exeter Trial in it this yearyawn



__________________
Caution - the poster may well have been drinking........
Harty


Devon's Best

Status: Offline
Posts: 3402
Date:
Permalink  

I didn't realise that they did 192-090 on the East strips

__________________

Culmstock area - Devon TRF Group member - KTM 690 Enduro
katoom Dave


Novice

Status: Offline
Posts: 20
Date:
Permalink  

Just looking at these lanes and seen I have real time rain falling in Google Earth! How long they had that then? Sorry bit off topic..............seen they had a flight simulator as well!

__________________
TTR


Powermonger!!

Status: Offline
Posts: 7904
Date:
Permalink  

Ming wrote:

Have followed a Post Office van down 202-053 a year or two backconfuse Wonder if he's entered in the Exeter Trial in it this yearyawn

 A posty goes up Beggars Roost every day but he doesn't have to do restarts on the awkward bits wink



__________________

Exeter area - Devon TRF Group member

http://www.ttr250.com     

http://ttr250.activeboard.com/ - THE forum for TTR250 owners
Ming


Devon's Best

Status: Offline
Posts: 2421
Date:
Permalink  

Looks like it'll be 202-053 as 202-037 is for Class O vehicles so they miss out the tougher one.

Looking at the water flowing through Stokeinteignhead today I'd say there are going to be a few more than usual having problems. Hope they're carrying plenty of EasyStartconfuse



__________________
Caution - the poster may well have been drinking........
chriscole


Clubman A

Status: Offline
Posts: 780
Date:
Permalink  

Pete has kindly posted the DTRF lane numbers that are being used by the Exeter, but I am struggling to find 192-283, can anybody give me a pointer



__________________
potus


Clubman A

Status: Offline
Posts: 533
Date:
Permalink  

Ming wrote:

Looks like it'll be 202-053 as 202-037 is for Class O vehicles so they miss out the tougher one.

Looking at the water flowing through Stokeinteignhead today I'd say there are going to be a few more than usual having problems. Hope they're carrying plenty of EasyStartconfuse

 Nice and mild for this years event though, no ice or freezing fog to worry about.  



__________________
Pete


Devon's Best

Status: Offline
Posts: 2960
Date:
Permalink  

chriscole wrote:

Pete has kindly posted the DTRF lane numbers that are being used by the Exeter, but I am struggling to find 192-283, can anybody give me a pointer

 http://www.themotorcyclingclub.org.uk/about/downloads.htm

Click on the Entry pack

The link will take you to a site with OS grid references prefixed with the landranger map number so you can look it up.

Not going to hand out No Status lane locations on a public forum, sorry.



__________________
Pete


Devon's Best

Status: Offline
Posts: 2960
Date:
Permalink  

MCC marshall Paul was lucky not to be injured by this competitor failing on his second bite at Simms

This sounded expensive, and terminal.....

A real crowd pleaser and my favourite. An estate car banger shoots up the hill.



-- Edited by Pete on Sunday 6th of January 2013 12:10:03 AM

__________________
Pete


Devon's Best

Status: Offline
Posts: 2960
Date:
Permalink  

Authentic period safety headwear for this passenger today

 



__________________
grouty


Expert

Status: Offline
Posts: 1555
Date:
Permalink  

I spent the day at the restart on Tipley. I did shout words of encouragement as you paddled past us Pete !
Fantastic day out. 11am until the section closed at 6pm.
Worked out that around 24% of those that tried ..... failed.

Simms was probably a bit packed with spectators, although the sound track coming from that direction sounded good at times.

__________________

Politicians are like nappies. They need changing often, and usually for the same reason.
Pete


Devon's Best

Status: Offline
Posts: 2960
Date:
Permalink  

I heard you call my name, but was rather preoccupied with trying to pick a line that involved forward momentum as the bike slid this way and that and the mud spattered hill was definitely trickier than it has been for years, most entertaining, so I did not attempt a wave and there was no way I would have tried to stop and restart today as I didn't fancy my chances.

Simms was entertaining as ever with a good crowd of several hundred in good cheer. I was most relieved to make it up without mishap in front of a huge audience

__________________
Pete


Devon's Best

Status: Offline
Posts: 2960
Date:
Permalink  

I think this LC4 combination pilot gave up a bit easily, but he gave it a fair try and deserved the applause.



__________________
Ming


Devon's Best

Status: Offline
Posts: 2421
Date:
Permalink  

Pete wrote:

Authentic period safety headwear for this passenger today

 

 Think this is the same outfit on 202-037.....still with flat cap and ants in his pants



__________________
Caution - the poster may well have been drinking........
Pete


Devon's Best

Status: Offline
Posts: 2960
Date:
Permalink  

Attacking Simms hill with gusto in vintage machinery



__________________
Big T


Expert

Status: Offline
Posts: 1037
Date:
Permalink  

I understand there was a competitor who got a little 'shirty' when meeting some bikes in the lane after the top of Simms. Even though there was plenty of room to pass (as many other cars did happily), there seemed to be an understanding that the lane was effectively closed for any but competitors' vehicles. I don't believe this to be the case, however, as there was no official 'closure' of the lane, and this was not even part of any stage, so remained effectively part of the public road network. There was no published notification of the trial at the end of this lane or any restrictions as far as I know.

Although I'm sure nobody would deliberately try to disrupt the trial in any way, what is the official word on this?

Should one choose to, could one legally insist on e.g. actually going against the flow DOWN Simms Hill when the trial was on? I stress that I would NOT consider this myself, just checking the legal standing.

Thanks.



__________________
"If you don't ask, you don't get"
Vikings


Clubman A

Status: Offline
Posts: 509
Date:
Permalink  

I know that the lanes rode like ****e today after they had dragged the old heaps up them.

__________________
Pete


Devon's Best

Status: Offline
Posts: 2960
Date:
Permalink  

Vikings wrote:

I know that the lanes rode like ****e today after they had dragged the old heaps up them.

 

Too challenging for you?

Tipley was harder than it has been for years I must say, great fun too.





__________________
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.
Devon TRF Group Open Forum -> General Discussion Board -> Exeter Trail 2013 January 5th Spectating at Simms


Create your own FREE Forum
Report Abuse 		Powered by ActiveBoard