kinell

All the aches and pains are gone, the bike has been washed, full critical damage assessment carried out last night and fresh bits bought from Silsden today. I'd do it all again next week if I had the chance I'd like to do the GS trial if they are running a clubman route and if they have space for a 'big girsl blouse' but will gladly ride as a backmarker if not. Anyone got a number for Angela? Cheers

Any details?, seeing as Perce ignored me earlier

Right, the wife is on hols for a week from tomorrow and has left me a list of DIY jobs to do Can anyone recommend a decent builder to take care of all the little jobs whilst I play out on Saturday and Sunday? Any trials on? cheers...

Hmm, I know someone who missed the markers "it wasn't me" (copyright Shaggy)

Ishy made a good suggestion but I don't know if it would work or not: - He stated that the 'running' time should not be changed at the end of a day just because a lot of riders run into the 'penalty' period and lose points on time, after all it's the same deal for everyone. However, he did think it might be a good idea if the 'penalty' period of 60 minutes was extended by 10, 20 or even 30 minutes each day depending on the percentage of riders arriving in the parc ferme out of time. 1 point for every minute late up to 60 minutes 2 points for every minute after the standard 60 minutes up to the adjusted maximum decided by the SSDT Officials. This wouldn't affect the top 2/3rds of the entry but it would allow inexperienced riders or riders that have bike problems to stay in the event with a chance to earn a finishers award - albeit with up to 90 time points! As stated above, I'm not sure if it would work or not but it sounds good in principle. But then, I would say that wouldn't I? PS Having a time control at the end of the last group sounds like a good idea for the safety of riders and Joe Public alike. I saw some riders (not me obviously ) tear-ar$ing back to FW making some very dodgy overtaking decisions. Definitely a 'white knuckle' ride!

I didn't know it at the time but the Bradford Club were running a book on how long I'd last !!! They reckoned I'd 'kick the bucket' on Tuesday I suppose it goes to show that some folk have little faith in an aging, unfit, clubman rider who didn't have a clue what he was letting himself in for I'll have a go at the Scott this year but will quit smoking and cut down on the booze a few months before. I'll be getting bike fit too, as I want to make sure I finish the 2nd toughest trial in the world

I know, I know All credit to you for finishing the trial with the knee, what painkillers were you on?

Ishy kept plugging away all week, which seemed to be the best tactic. He won a 1st class award and was obviously pleased with his result. However, he did say that his score was 100 points higher than 2002! Well done Ishy

I retired on Saturday morning due to an act of stupidity and a run of bad luck, which meant that I was 10 minutes out of time on Friday Day #5 started to go pear shaped when I roared past the Pipers Burn group on 'full beanz' I carried on for miles before realising my mistake . This probably cost me over an hour, as I had to ride a further 6 miles to a petrol station! I buried the front end of the bike in a bog a few hours later (up to the headstock) and struggled for about 20 minutes until a rider kindly helped me get the bike out. I then ran out of fuel, scrounged some and promptly got lost on the moors whilst trying to avoid yet more bogs! I eventually got back on track before running out of fuel for the 2nd time I topped the day off by starting a mini avalanche riding into a section, which ended up with a sore knee and crushed fingers right in front of all the spectators and 2 mates that had come up to cheer me on I went to bed on the Friday night knowing that I wouldn't get a finishers award but was determined to ride on Saturday to prove to myself that I could do the whole 6 days. Woke up on Saturday feeling sorry for myself and hobbled down to the parc ferme with 2 fingers that didn't want to play out any more. I saw riders 42 and 43 setting off up the road - I was only 5 minutes late but had missed out on my 30 minutes prep time, which the bike needed badly as I had hammered it all day long on Friday (Did anyone manage to blow up a Beta engine? I certainly tried...) In traditional 'kinell' style - I chose a few naughty words and bollocked myself properly for being such a mard ar$e I walked into the parc ferme to see my beloved Beta glaring at me without its number 40 board, I'm sure it had been slagging me off to all the other bikes too. I rode her out and treated her to a warm jet wash before searching Fort William for a massage parlour to soothe all my aching joints and muscles I decided to go to the Ben Nevis group to watch my two amigo's finish the trial in style as all the massage parlours were shut. I got talking to a local lad who told me that an 'absolute babe' worked in one of the shops that I'd been to "Bugger" The week finished with more bad luck, as I ran out of fuel looking for a burger van Luckily, Malcolm Rathmell spotted me pushing the sad little Beta down the road and drained some of his petrol out for me - top bloke. I promised to buy him a pint of anything he wanted at the awards do but never saw him. Dejected at not seeing Ishy and Perce ride the Ben - I decided to hit the bar, sitting on the front step of the Alex with a pint of beer in hand, I watched as all the riders came home and entertained the crowd. I decided right there that I would never ride the SSDT ever again and went to bed. Two days later and most of the aches & pains have all but gone. I learned a lot last week and now realise what it takes to ride and finish the biggest/toughest trial in the world. I'll be filling in my entry for 2005 and praying for another chance to ride next year. Seeing JR Sunt's knee on Saturday night made me realise that the Scottish is not for wimps - If I get the chance again next year, I won't waste it by wimping out! "I'll be back" (hopefully!)

Back home now after spending a fantastic 8 days and nights in Fort William. Managed to meet up with HL, Cam, Big John (David & Steveo), Overthehill, Boofont, Monty Python, Duck Wizard, Bigfoot, Matt, Wonderboy, Techno, Physco, VinnieD, Stuhrc and the infamous Fatbikedude (Sorry if I've missed anyone else out!) A huge thanks to Team Manager Andy for providing the 3 of us with Woftam T-shirts, Fleeces and Waterproof coats. He met us at all the important groups each day with drinks and plenty of encouragement, which was very much appreciated by all of us. I know he was trying his best to keep TC.com as up to date as possible but mollycoddling us 3 took up a lot more time than he expected. I reckon he should have won an award for being the most p****d up Team Manager in FW on Saturday night though To HL and Cam, we know that you thought we were a bunch of old girlies because we too tired to party so will see you on the 30th May Thanks to all the Observers, Organisers, support staff, landowners etc. for making the event possible - very professional

Mr. Gaunt Jnr

I'll need plenty of good luck See you up there John...

I'm supposed to be picking you up at 8am tomorrow in Silsden... I need an address please If anyone has a telephone number for David Isherwood (Ishy's brother) please email me at: - brian.curran1 AT ntlworld.com Cheers

Bike is almost prepped, 10 miles of roadwork tomorrow night to make sure everything beds in nicely, change the oil and it'll be good to go. Training? Nah, finished that weeks ago

Bugger, I'm going to be worrying about Annat now 'n all

Wow, 22 times? ! What number are you this year? I'll defect from Team Woftam, ditch Ishy and Perce and follow you round instead

I don't want to incite a riot here but... Some companies prefer to charge a higher purchase price and make more profit per bike than selling shedloads of bikes at reduced profit margins. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the '04 Beta was the 2nd cheapest bike available when they arrived last October. Scorpa appeared to be the most expensive, they are obviously very happy with the exclusivity that goes with owning a Scorpa. All new bikes are great bikes for the average clubman, however the price difference between the cheapest and dearest can be

Could be better (sounds like a teachers comment on an old school report ) Mental preperation is the key and I'm part mental so we're halfway there. Not long now, playtime this weekend and then major bike overhaul next week. Can't wait now

Good man, best of luck with the x-ray.

Yup, good trial, good weather, didn't break much, home in time for tea Rode like a pratt as per usual

Cheers

Anybody got any details, where is it, what time does it start, turn up & ride or regs by post ? Cheers

That view is fine, I'll probably be looking at it from that view after I go for it

I got a letter from William Propert-Lewis (Defra) on the 6th Feb stating that my comments had been noted and that they would be trying to determine the best way forward. Letter dated 9th Feb from Gordon Prentice MP (House of Commons) acknowledging receipt of my letter. Letter from Defra on the 4th March apologising for the delay in responding but they had received an 'overwhelming response' They will analyse the responses after the closing date of March 19th. Then a formal Government response will be published. Another letter from the House of Commons on the 5th March, which included a letter from Alun Michael MP the Minister for Rural Affairs and Local Environment Quality. This said the same as the Defra letter dated 4th March. All in all, it sounds like plenty of people wrote/emailed, which can only be very good for our side

Because Beta's never die?