emmo1

Looking forward to the day when someone comes on here and admits that they won a trial because of a generous observing decision - don't hold your breath!! Come on guys we have all had the super strict observer, but lets be honest most of us have also had more than our share of 'benefit of the doubt'

Top day out as usual, respect to all who got round. Went to Underbanks for the 1st time since I rode the trial last (2003 I think?), have they put another stone onto the last step, I can't remember it being that high!

Don't go too fast too soon Don't try to race anyone Break the day down into chunks - petrol stops usually and tick them off mentally If in doubt stop and check - diving headlong into a beck/bog or long grass WILL end in tears Don't panic when other riders steam past in the 1st hour of the trial, things soon settle down Wire your grips on Drink water little and often Have a pal on the course with some dry gloves FINALLY DO NOT GIVE IN IT IS ONLY PAIN AND WELL WORTH IT FOR THE RIDE UP THE FINISH FIELD Good luck

I once had Bruno and his Minder brother (Christophe?) having a go at the Wetherby World Round. The minder was running up the section carrying a kicker - he would place it, and then pick it up and move it if Brunco decided to take another line. They had lots to say and were really taking the p**s. I felt more like a football ref than an observer!!

I well remember Brenda Jones in the Yorkshire Centre being mad keen and would have you for a 5 if you looked like stopping. Harry Wright on the other hand was the most generous observer around, (apart from a p***ed up Frenchman I came across in the Gueret 4 day who made you ride the section again if he thought you hadn't given it your best shot!) he never fived anyone unless he really had too. What Brenda and Harry had in common was their consistency - you knew where you stood with both. Different observing standards even themselves out - did you ever see a trial won by someone who was not the best rider on the day??

Don't take it to heart - aside from a few inevitable grumbles most right thinking folk take the rough with the smooth and understand that sorting out the entry list in a fair way to all is almost impossible so are happy for the organisers to make the best sense of it they can. Apologies if my earlier post caused offence.

It must be like being in the Vatican when the new Pope is selected - would dearly like to see how many people actually end up in the hat after all the friends/names/yesterdays hero's/siblings of yesterdays hero's/girlfriends of yesterdays hero's/lifelong SSDT supporters etc etc are sorted. BUT having ridden the trials loads of times before they needed the ballott, having been successful for 2 or 3 years in the ballott, and having failed a couple of times before I hung my boots up can I echo the sentiments of the previous posts: It's the best trial in the world run by a dedicated crew - they can pick who they like to ride you won't get any complaints from me

Echo the post from Perce - pretty much my advice having ridden 18 or 19 SSDT's. An old riding colleague of mine called it 'Moorland Craft' ie getting from point A to point B using the minimum energy and maximum mechanical sympathy for the machine - which can't be learned in a gym. Don't be frightened by how hard the sections look - they generally ride grippier than they appear. Any one of the tough northern nationals is probably harder than one day in Scotland - but by day three or four it can grind you down. The more bike time you get in before the SSDT the more bike fit you will be and the more you will enjoy the trial. Rannoch Moor is a joy when you are skipping over it for an hour - if you are dragging the bike across it is no fun at all!!

He had the same pair on at the Scott this year - wow!

no, use the valves to let air out

Also had a stator fail on a Yam - there was a spark, but enough to run.

One or two thoughts in no particular order; 1.We have got to have one set of rules. 2. Dan's home centre runs one of the best nationals in the calander (Jack Wood) - they make great use of the land available, and generally the sections are easier to ride no-stop! 3. The guys riding genuine no-stop at the Scott a few weeks ago were better to watch and generally made a better fist of the sections 4. World rounds are brilliant to watch - but not a realistic reflection of what 99.9% of trials riders do most Sundays. 5. We all enjoy a trial that tests us, without breaking man or machine. As there is a much greater spread in abilities and ages these days the only way is to offer several courses. For what it's worth my ideal is no-stop, with as many classes as the club can cope with to please as many punters as possible!

Try the White Rose, run by the West Leeds club in September - brilliant ride out over spectacular scenery

Tag along with another rider, don't panic, get guidance from the observers - when you are feeling like packing it in keep going, you will be glad you did. Good luck and don't forget to post how you did.