theluckyone

Interesting last line ... with which I share my own experience. I believe I have had a successful career in sales based largely on what I learnt on a trials bike in the 70's & beyond. Persistence, self belief and determination coupled with good planning and preparation were critical elements in getting a £17.50 BSA Bantam around Fountains Fell in 1973. Getting a Fantic 201 around the SSDT and a 240 Fantic around the Scott required the same. Achieving early (semi) retirement needed these same attributes. Maybe I already had them and trialling focused them Or maybe trialling made me and I owe it all to my dad who said "lets give it a go and see how you get on". Anyway its not about me....its about you.... WELCOME HOME!

Hmmm the lack of replies tells me they're not selling like hot cakes. I had a test ride on one (which was terrific I might add) and my understanding is the maps can be changed by an app on your phone. At first I thought this was a good idea as you would set it up before the trial. Then I thought what if the weather changes and there's no signal at the venue? Then I thought my current bike has no maps so if you just set it when you buy it then there would be no disadvantage over what I have now. But no advantage either. So in summary, by trying to improve on the previous set up they may have gone backwards or a little too far forward for this old luddite.

Hey welcome! You've got a lot going for you, you live in a great city and ride a great bike. Plenty of great clubs in this area too, Horsforth, West Leeds, Y & G. Terrific trials shop Trials UK. No wonder its called gods back garden! Good trial on sat at Tong, worth a visit either to ride, look or better still observe its for charidee y'know!

I have the posh option! It was purchased for me as a xmas present by my hard working wife. I think the product is actually designed for drying or warming ski boots. Its got two tubes running from a heater/motor which blow air into the boots at various selected temperatures. I keep this in the garage and use it mainly in winter. I usually put it on just while I'm fettling the bike, its a 4RT so I don't use very much electric. Of course as a silver surfer I have two pairs of boots also.

I have some of them there gloves too! I find them a bit thicker than more expensive gloves but absolutely perfect for road based trials in winter ie 6 months of the year and timed trials. The extra cuff length makes all the difference when scooting over t'moors. I would suspect they'd be a good SSDT glove.

Ha ha so now you know how I feel... Even though I ride a lot less now I totally agree with Lineaway I still enjoy every ride as much as I did as a teenager. At a recent trial I was delighted to hear one rider wish the other a happy birthday. They were both now in their 70th year and right then I decided that was my new goal...... to ride a trial on my 70th birthday. Only 12 and half years to go! Enjoy yourself its later than you think!

Its about next years tyres. Following the F1 example the FIM are to introduce a standard tyre "Pirelli" and a minimum tyre pressure as in F1 of 19.5psi. The rationale is to make it a level playing field for all riders under the safety banner. In an effort to reduce costs they will also be limited to 2 tyres per season just like me.

Welcome back old boy/girl. I'm a boomerang man so know a bit about comebacks. Where abouts are you based? And what age bracket/trials preferences do you have. I personally favour no stop as that's what I grew up with. I also like the 4RT as I have an allergy to using spanners for long periods. As I get closer to 60 I see trials as a way to exercise competitively in an outdoor environment with a fair degree of excitement but limited expense/risk. Enjoy yourself, its later than you think!

I'm same as you, live local ridden there etc. I too thought it was brilliantly laid out and the last world round I saw (not counting Sheffield) was at Pateley Bridge! Note to self must go more often. The riding was spectacular. I watched the whole entry on the first lap go through section 3 and the format worked brilliantly with the classes coming through in ascending order of section severity. Thank you for providing a world class event in my back garden just about. Lets do it all again next year.

I had a 2001 315 that was a great bike. I think they were all called DLR but that was just the standard bike there was no option unlike todays triple choices Std - Repsol or RR. I think £1500 is a bit top side unless its "like new". £1250 seems nearer the mark.

Welcome back! Personally I recommend the Mont 315. I had 14 years out and then came back and bought a decent used one. Had it a couple of years, faultless bike then moved onto 4RT's. Kept first 4RT for 3 years then bought another good used 4RTwhich is still brill after 7 years.

The last time I rode I was 46 and although I hadn't ridden it for a few years I still finished but I was a tired broken man at the end of it. Its a tough gruelling week for a young man so for anyone a bit older its twice that and don't kid yourself...... the sections are hard. However it is the best trial in the world for so many reasons. Anyone over the age of 60 who finishes must be nearly superhuman!

I have had the good fortune to meet both Mr Miller and young Douglas Lampkin. People say you should never meet your heroes, but I say choose your heroes well and they will not disappoint you. Both excellent ambassadors and role models in a wonderful sport.

Hi I'm in Rawdon /Horsforth area and occasionally use Swaine Woods to polish my dabbing ability up a bit. You need to join Horsforth Club to ride there. Also worth joining Y & G and/or West Leeds. Trials UK at Horsforth will help you keep your wallet tidy. We're spoilt round here!

Love that idea of a six but surely it should be a seven! This would give rise to a whole new trials phrase of " I shook a seven on section nine" Sounds almost as good as " I would've cleaned it if I hadn't had a five". Don't tell me you've never said that.....

Listen to you Mister Bigtime shopping at Lidl! Whats wrong with Poundstretcher these days? I was thinking along the same lines re- "fill with urine" but there again some of these drinks taste like P*** anyway so might not work other than be a great post on here next week! On a serious note that's a sad story as trust plays a large part in trials.

Re Jimmy's point, I don't muck about changing oil and filters coz if it nearly fooled him then it certainly would've fooled me. I would've just cranked it up good and tight which would've probably left me a bit embarrassed in the middle of Rannoch Moor the following week! Theres a nice man in Horsforth that supports this site who will do it all for you and sell you something you didn't know you needed at the same time!

Montesa (Honda) make a rather good four stroke if its a four stroke your after. I'm on my second and will be getting a third just as soon as I can convince Mrs Lucky that its the best way to keep my cholesterol level down. Welcome to trials old chap, its fantastic.

Brilliant story. Sammy Miller is a legend and so is this bike.

I think this is a lifestyle question not a performance question. Do you need a Repsol or do you want one? Also age & money come into the equation. I've got plenty of age so I plan to take my 25% tax free lump sum from a personal pension and buy a new/nearly new trials bike. (There isn't enough for a new Lambourghini) I've had standard 4RT's for the last 10 years and cannot possibly get the best out of one. I've never had a Repsol but I've always wondered what they're like. So my next bike will be a 4RT Repsol. Not because I need one but because I want one! So in summary choose what suits your pocket/lifestyle. All new trials bikes are fantastic.

I agree with all of the above. I've now been riding on and off for 40 years with even an odd win or two over the years. I had a 12 month lay off last year and then when I rode again it was like it was my first trial, I was so nervous. When I started this wonderful sport, the first 3 trials I rode I didn't even finish! This was down to fitness, machine failure(poor prep) and spending so long looking at a section I couldn't possibly do I ran out of time. So don't worry about setting your sights too low just endure and enjoy! Look forward to your post event follow up post next week.

I missed it live but my wife saw it and said it was good and she's never even been to the Scott. Great work by all.

Hi Having just "retired/become self employed" I bought a 2011 Berlingo Enterprise to do exactly the same as you. I "wanted" a Caddy or a T5 but as it was my first van (well since 1980 anyway) and I didn't know if I'd actually like the idea of driving a van after years of decent company cars I decided to spend a little rather than a lot. The 4RT goes in easy, the gear goes in easy, it drives great. The fact that nobody can see me with a bike is another strong positive. I actually feel smug about not buying a VW with all the nonsense that's popped up just lately which must affect resale values. I like it so much that (money permitting) I may upgrade next year to a newer one.

Here's my limited van experience. After driving low mileage VW company cars for the last 11 years I've just had to put my hand in my pocket and buy a motor. I chose a Citreon Berlingo diesel van . I paid £5k including vat, its a 2011 with 80k on the clock in met grey ( I would've had a white one, I'm not that much of a snob!) Its had one private owner from new and is well spec'd and immaculate. Bought it from a main citreon dealer so probably paid a bit more for "piece of mind" than buying it from the block. I have to say its brilliant. It drives well, fits a 4RT in easy,it can take a lorra lorra stuff to the tip and seems to do 500 miles on a tank full. I wanted a VW Caddy but couldn't stump up the extra cash. I feel a bit smug now!!

Its a wise decision that you have made, even the British Heart Foundation recommend trials riding! Having reached 56 I'm on my third comeback and currently enjoying a life of leisure so if you need a midweek practice buddy preferably at Swaine Woods, I'm available. I have a 4RT too.