With Dougie Lampkin's long-awaited Autobiography Trials And Error, due for release on the 17th of May, visitors to the 2018 Scottish Six Days Trial will have an exclusive opportunity to pick up not just their copy early, but to pick it up early and signed by the man himself. Prior to embarking on his attempt to lift his twelfth SSDT title, Dougie will be carrying out a signing session on Sunday 6th May from 12 - 2pm in the main Hub Tent in the SSDT Parc Ferme.
With a professional riding career covering more than twenty-five years, twelve times FIM Trial World Champion Dougie Lampkin MBE has an exceptional story to tell, and one that he will share when his autobiography – Trials and Error - is published. Recognised as one of Britain’s most successful motorcycle riders ever, Red Bull UK’s longest serving athlete was always destined to hold a set of handlebars at the highest level as he was born into one of the country’s most famous biking families.
Two years in the planning and writing, the resulting one hundred and eighty-page plus hard- backed book provides a unique insight to Dougie’s journey from a nervous youth competitor to a rider who dominated his sport on the World stage for a decade. An immensely private and humble person, Dougie gives a typically honest and open account of life from his earliest memories as a child to dealing with the recent death of his father Martin, who had been at his side throughout his many sporting successes.
Written in his native and direct Yorkshire tongue, the rich tale of dedication, determination and sacrifice is interwoven with many humorous accounts of what life has been like as part of the Lampkin clan that are notorious for their ‘tough love’ values. Far from an event by event recollection, Dougie’s story has real depth and is packed with a huge amount of pure and simple human endeavour and covers his diverse array of exploits outside of the sporting arena.
Adding extra value to this superb publication, the Lampkin family have kindly allowed access to their private photo archives, with previously unpublished personal photos included in the image section that covers Dougie life from being a baby right up to his recent Red Bull Wheelie project.
Speaking about the forthcoming publication of his autobiography Dougie explained. “For several years now it has been on the cards to write an autobiography, but I always wanted to feel that it was the correct time to finally put pen to paper. Being honest I was totally unaware just how big the project was and how time consuming a process it would be.”
“Thankfully I have been given the time to put together something I am fully happy with, and something that I think people will really enjoy reading. I never wanted it to be a Trial by Trial story, as people have already read about that in the media over the years. The book is more about me as a person, the man without the helmet on. To say it has been an emotional journey, writing the book and looking through the old photos, would be a massive understatement. It’s been heavy going at times, though I am really pleased with the final version and can’t wait for people to have the chance to read it.”