At 41 I'd have thought you were still a mere stripling. Might be interesting to see if we can establish the age of the oldest regular trials rider in the country via the Trialscentral membership. Obviously we're talking people in their seventies at least. Any suggestions to kick it off?
Speaking as a relative old-timer and nostalgia buff a couple of points struck me on reading the 2009 SSDT entry list:
- Chris Clarke is back, presumably the same one who had some great rides in the 70s and 80s and scooped some best-on-day awards in his time.
- the absence of Rob Griffiths after some 40 years of continuous participation. I believe he may even have been at it longer than Nigel Birkett; it would be a shame if this feat went unheralded.
In my experience most observers have been turning a blind eye to stops - and I mean deliberate stationary pauses of about 10 to 15 seconds - for many years so I can't see the new rules making much difference except that the cleans recorded will now be genuine and within the rules.
I had a '77 model in the day and from memory the exhaust guard was a brilliant white, to match the white of the tank. Mudguards and the plastic side cover were also pure white, I suspect those on your bike have yellowed with the effects of 32 years worth of sunlight. You could try a scrub with Jif using a fairly stiff brush, this will lift the dirt out of the scratches but probably won't restore things to a pristine white. Still, nothing wrong with an old warior showing the patina of age, is there?
I know it's a natural reaction to state that the sport needs to attract new young riders to survive, but that's always been the case and from the evidence I see it's already happening, without chunks of money being thrown at it. There are regularly 100+ riders at trials in my Centre, and that's probably about right for the land available. If anything entries are up on a few years ago so new riders are actually already being drawn in. Certainly there's no sign of the sport slipping into the doldrums for want of riders. OK, the current financial state we're in might have a negative effect over the next year, but I'd wager it'll be less than people think.
I agree that trials at British and World Championship level (I hesitate to say "top" level because that could imply that other trials are inferior) have moved far away from what they were even a few years ago. There seems to have been a quantum leap in ability of the top riders which has had the effect of, in my mind, actually creating a different sport. This isn't a criticism, just a statement of natural evolution which is irreversible, but thank goodness there are still events using sensible, natural obstacles which take marks off the whole entry and remain enjoyable to ride.
What I do question is just how enjoyable it is for expert riders to spend the day coaxing, heaving, stop-starting their way up and down the bankings of streams which the rest of us revel in riding straight up, even if they have a few cleans along the way? Does the action of urging the bike over the most contrived obstacles, spending ages atop a boulder the height of a Transit van with one foot down ready to try launching onto the next one which is ten feet away, for a few hours on a Sunday any longer constitute "a good ride round"? I guess in all honesty it must, or those who ride the hard routes wouldn't come back for more week after week, but pose the question as a genuine one.
Like Rappers, I was around for British Championshio events where anyone could turn up with a standard bike, which probably wasn't that far off what Rathmell and the Lampkins were riding, have a good go at exactly the same sections as they were riding and have the kind of day out which you'd savour for months. I'm glad to be able to say this, 'cos those days are gone for good.
I seem to recall Dave Thorpe coming up with a petrol-in-the-frame arrangement to supplement the standard tank to get him round the Scottish on an early version of the monoshock Yam.
There's a good trials-only shop near Scarborough: FeetUp Trialsport at Cornerways, Ratten Row, Seamer, near Scarbough, YO12 4QB. The owner, Alan Bird, knows his bikes and doesn't mind giving free advice!
I've ridden a 200 sherco for 3-4 years and find it to be well up to the job. It's particularly good when you're tired towards the end of a trial as it won't fly out of your hands if your throttle control is waning, or if you're feeling aggressive you can fire it at rock steps without ensuing disaster as with bigger bikes. Also it seems pretty good at finding grip, and has the "light" feel of a 125 as opposed to a 250.
One thing the 200s seem to be noted for is more of a rattle from the engine (sounds like piston slap) than the other Shercos, so probably nothing to worry about if yours sounds this way.
Basically the 200 is just a good trials bike: don't think about the size of the engine, just get on with riding it and it'll do what you need it to.
It's especially pleasing to see that he jumped straight back in at the deep end, ie on the hard route, which he is obviously capable of mastering Some previous aces have been happy to stage a return by dominating easy route classes, which of course they have every right to do but which doesn't necessarily challenge their skills.
Maybe the rider was taking his cues from Premier League footballers, who crowd the referee and blast him with obscenities when a decision goes against them. Maybe it's the way of the world nowadays, but it doesn't mean it's right. Besides, I've never seen an abused observer change his or her mind, so it's a futile exercise anyway.
I had a Beamish rl250 (red and silver model) for a year or so in the 70s.
Good points: maintenance-free motor (a boon at the time), plush suspension
Not so good points: petrol tank prone to leaks at rear; very thin side cases on motor combined with lack of bash plate leading to damaged cases; frame prone to buckling at plates below steering head; perhaps not as easy to find grip as its competitors
Overall I do have fond memories of the bike. Quite a few people bought them but didn't seem to hang on to them for long. Would probably make a reasonable twin-shock ride if you can find a decent one.
Back in my days of club secretary-ship, we found there was a common baseline of entry fees, as there is now, which clubs could adhere to and cover costs (our intention was not to make a profit). Riders got used to there being a level of entry fees which was more or less the same for whatever grade of trial they were entering. I think it's understandable if riders baulk at a sudden hike in fees by a particular club if the reason is not made clear.
This might seem an obvious question, but I'll ask it anyway:
It's an interesting point that performance diminishes with age. In Dougie Lampkin's case there's no reason to doubt his physical fitness, reaction times, confidence, motivation and determination are still at extremely high levels, so why, exactly, should performance tail off with the passage of time? Of course this happens to (almost) everyone, but what is it that slips such that people who dominate a sport eventually slide down the rankings? I accept that in trials physical fitness does reduce with age, or at least you have to work harder to keep it, but if that was the only factor people in relatively non-physical sports like snooker could stay on top indefinitely. But they don't. Why not?
Under the Road Traffic Act 1988 it is an offence to drive a motor vehicle on common land without lawful authority (usually from the landowner).
Pretty clear cut I'm afraid, and chances are if anyone contravened this law the result would be loads of bad publicity for motorcycling in the local neighbourhood, which wouldn't be helpful for local trials organisers etc.
About April last year I made a switch from an '00, 125 Sherco to an '04 125 Scorpa syf. I think I'd been on the Sherco about 2 years, maybe 3.
The first thing that I noticed was the difference in the steering. The Sherco was a lot quicker and the Scorpa felt like it was trying to fall inside in a turn. The best bit about changing is the engine. On the two stroke I would get myself into trouble by using too little throttle when a handful would have been better. Sometimes it worked 'coz weighing nothing I could usually find grip anyway. I think that kind of riding suits itself to a 4stroke far more than a 2.
With the Scorpa, it just grips and grips and grips with very little throttle. Its absolubtly brilliant! One of the Star Group Trials at Sethern in Dunsfold was an absolute mudbath. Pouring rain all day, and with the ground being hard clay with leaf mulch over the top it was like ice. There was one climb that most people were struggling on, including the best riders in the class (the easiest!) Where the good riders couldn't go with their 250 2 strokes, the little Scorpa just pulled and pulled and pulled and made it look easy - entirely down to the bike! I never used to like riding in mud that much, but now I love it!
If only the back brake would behave and the tyres didn't slip on the rims . . .
Would that be a standrad 125 Scorpa, or modified? Just wondered as most people reckon the stabndard 125 id much improved with various mods.
Whats the strips that I see some dirtbikers wearing on there noses(breathing strips)?
They're "Breath-Right" strips which stick to the outside of the nose and keep the nostrils in a "pulled open" position. That supposedly lets more air in, so oxygen supply to the lungs, and ultimately the muscles, is increased. I believe clinical tests show they have zero effect, and there's easier ways of making yourself look like a wally.
Best 2 Sstroke For The Scottish Pre65 2 Day
in Pre-65 Bikes
Posted
Of course I was joking, all the bikes I've seen at the trial are entirely genuine...it's just some of the riders who are 'avin' a larf.