cota kid

Is it just me, but Ewan McGregor and Charlie Boorman's new series the Long Way Down, is incredibly boring. Whilst their first series was very good, as was the book, this new adventure is quite simply dull, tedious and repetetive, a bit like the riders. Charlie Boorman's claim to fame is he has acted in numerous films, funnily enough directed by his Daddy and also competed in the Lisbon - Dakar race. You would have thought the adventure of taking two BMW GS bikes from John O Groats to Cape Town would be exciting, instead we are served up with the same boring old problems they have with border crossings, carnets, officials etc etc etc. The riders (actor luvvies) are not exactly doing it all on there own either , having an extensive support team including security advisors, medics, fixers in every country and no doubt a specialist team advising on product placement. Its not like when Ted Simon did it in the 1970's, alone on this Truimph. Unless they get kidnapped by Somalian Warlords or some militia and forced to ride through a mine field, then I for one won't be tuning in next Sunday. Bring back Heartbeat.....

I don't suppose Iris Kramer will be too happy at Laia being called the 2007 Woman World Champion.

Toon 1 Portsmouth 4. The Skunks were at home....

I hope you both lose!!!!!!

Try This

It seems Mr Raga was debuting a new Gas Gas prototype bike and I thought it just had a nice red frame. Todotrial

It seems to have been missed from the various postings on this forum, but Adam Raga is currently leading both the Spanish Indoor and Outdoor Domestic Championships. Whilst Bou was dominant this year at World Championship level he certainly isn't having that comfort at home. I was lucky enough to be at the Spanish Indoor in Girona on Thursday 1st November and quite simply Raga blitzed it. He looked to be on top form, whether or not he can carry that onto the World stage only time can tell. I'm no Raga fan but I think next years Championship, certainly indoor might not be quite a walk in the park for Toni as last year.

Dennis Waterman.

This is a step in the right direction for Alexz. He is now part of one of the most professional teams in the WTC Paddock. Having spent 9 years with Gas Gas the bike will take some getting used to, but I'm sure his team mate Dibs will give him as much help as possible. Its going to be a good year for Alexz, he proved last year on the 125 how good he is at Junior World Cup level, this year he must be odds on to lift the trophy. Montesa's gain is certainly Gas Gas loss, but as said before, Gas Gas UK, to Shirty's credit, took him as far as they could.

The trial is organised by the Northallerton Club, however the regs closed on 31st October 2007. You could try and contact the secretary of the meeting, Rose Pye (Bill's wife) on 01642 722398 to see if you can get a last minute entry. The trial has all levels, a superb clubman route. Two petrol cans are needed as there is a fair amount of roadwork around Bilsdale.

It would be something else to see a modern version.

Never liked The Police, crap band and Sting is just a Geordie green hypocrit. But the Pistols, now we're talking. Mind you I prefered The Stranglers and The Clash.

I think you would need an Apache helicopter to keep up nowadays. But what an excellent clip and I agree with Atom Ant I would love to see the full 30 mins.

John, I have e-mailed a few people to see if we can track down some pictures of your Dad (feet up) and I will let you know what I come up with via this forum. Everyone I've been speaking to at trials is genuinely saddened at the loss of Bill. Its people like your Dad who make this sport the sport it is. God Bless him. Regards Dominic Coleman

Bilco cheap, what to ship all the bikes, minders, riders etc to 1000 km past Moscow into Siberia in the middle of Winter. If you were to drive there I would set off, now. I can't imagine it being the best place to air freight the bikes to either. I have since found out it is Octagon's last year..... Hip Hip Hurrah!!!!

Bad news no practising.

I know that in the past the indoor WTC has gone to some strange venues or not in the case of Buenos Aires. But Ekaterinburg on 22 Dec 2007 beggars belief. Just in case you didn't know the whereabouts of this place, I'm sure the riders where straight onto Google Earth, but it is in Siberia 1000km east of Moscow, North of Borat's home nation of Kazakstan. Its going to be cold and difficult to get to. I wonder who's idea this was. Bytheway who is organising the indoor WTC 2008. Its not Andy's pals at Octagon is it? For Your Information. Tsar Nikolai II and his family were murdered there in 1917. Its a 44 hour train journey from Moscow or 2 hour flight.

It will never catch on. Yes I was there! Bou spent an hour or so and managed it maybe 10 times, but only a few cleans. Think raga did it once, cobos tried it a few times as did Freixa. This is one of the reasons i find the wtc so appealing. It actually was a fair bit harder in real life. So how many times did it take you to clean it?

Superb! If it wasn't for sponsors, riders,importers etc promoting their particular brand, this website would be the poorer for it. Viva Montesa!!!!

It will never catch on.

Perhaps somebody can clarify the rules regarding spares. But there are plenty of riders in the Scott who have friends and family following them around, encouraging them and providing drinks, spares, fuel etc its not just limited to the top riders.

I did not see Fujigas point out any lines to any riders although he did point his camera a lot. The likes of John Lampkin and Jake Miller were pointing out the lines in sections to all and sundry, no exceptions! Can Tordi please enlighten me into why he used the phrase fresh / spare bikes in this posting, to me this insinuates that riders swapped bikes, but with no proof to back it up. This has happened in the past, not an alleged incident and the rider who did it got caught, I am not aware that this occured during this years event. And such inuendo is potential damaging to the competition. I do not know the rule regarding swapping of wheels, handlebars etc, is there one?

Can you explain how Fujigas riding around was an advantage to any rider. I witnessed plenty of people helping riders with the choice of line in sections, but this wasn't limited to the top riders. I don't know the rules regarding changing of wheels, but if it breaks the rules then it should be penalised. As regards the statement regarding fresh bikes, I think that is a load of rubbish. If it is true name and shame.

--> QUOTE(John.B @ Oct 22 2007, 06:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Are you talking yourself in to having a go next year then Cota? John, I had a great day following the trial on my bike. Its a great event but one I know isn't for me. I was talking to Dougie and he reckoned that he was riding as fast as you can possibly go on a trials bike, I think he had a few scary moments. It will be great if Fujigas does get to ride next year but I still think Doug will take some beating.

Just thought that this topic deserved its posting. I would like to thank the Richmond Motor Club, the organisers and helpers for delivering such an absolute fantastic event. This years Scott was quite simply brilliant. You did not just Richmond Motor Club proud but the whole trials community. I'm already looking forward to next years event.