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I'm so chuffed it went well. Building up to this the odd few of us were able to spare a day to help out, but it's absolutely nothing compared to the amount of work that Elwyn, Jean and Darren put in to the weekend. My sister selfishly planned her wedding for this weekend so I had to miss it, and all week I could see the weather building up. The Foel has the capability to fill up to handlebar level when the heavy rain comes, so I did have my fingers crossed for everyone. It's a hell of a logistical task on the day to move observers around and get the sections manned when the riders need it, and there's not much room for manoevre in some of the streams. It's a toss up when marking out, whether you miss out on a great section to give queueing space, or just keep putting the flags in as you go up and hope the riders will keep ploughing through. On top of that there were another group of sections marked out ready for the Welsh Championship Round today, so they've had a busy time. I got back 10 minutes ago and had to log on to see how things had gone. I must admit I thought maybe Elwyn had bitten off more than he could chew this time, but it looks like he's managed to pull it off again. As Atom says, I think we may have to look at July/August next year as the RSPB have indicated they'd like us to stay outside the nesting season. They've been very reasonable, more so than many other organisations who seem to class anyone in the countryside as the enemy. Well done chaps, and I should pass on thanks to anyone who helped with the event in any way, including observers/results/marshals etc etc.

Just spoke to the bloke at Glen Dhoo. He says they'll be open over that period. Worth giving him a ring. Link HERE I've really no idea what it's like. Definitely not any where near as scenic as Kirk Michael if that's what you're after, but very close to start. Fair walk down to the town mind. I didn't know about the one at Nobles Park, up near the hospital. I'd imagine there's not much near it, but again need a local view on that one. That one's out the same direction as Glenlough, along the TT course past quarter bridge, then take a right at Braddan Bridge. I'd imagine Union Mills would be better positioned.

The one we have booked is Glenlough campsite. It is in the village of Union Mills which is apparently not very far from Douglas, and according to the website there is a pub within 10 mins walk the website address is glenloughcampsite.com As I said in the last post I don't know how good it is though as I haven't been there. It looks ok in the pictures, but the one we stayed in last year looked good in the pictures. I think Glenlough is pretty close to the first lot of sections on day 1, or maybe just before them. If so, I'd imagine it's about a mile from Union Mills. The pub will be the Railway I think, which I think is the one that the purple helmets do the donuts in during one of their vids. I've been in it, but funnily enough I don't remember much of it. I'd imagine it's a 10 minute ride to the start from there. Hopefully the manx boys will chirp up and confirm things. Shame about that camp site behind the paddock - would be worth checking if there's any way of getting in to that one. You may have to enter the Manx GP

There's one right at the back of the paddock that looks handy. Crawl out of bed and on to the bike. No idea what it's like though? Someone will chirp up soon, just thought I'd throw that one in for discussion.

One thing I'd say (well plenty of things actually) :-) : The club can't have an unlimited amount of classes/awards. The twinshocks and over 50's have traditionally ridden white route - this is a fairly easy route, and if you're anywhere near the level that for instance the twinshock championship is, there's a possibility that you would enjoy at least the yellow route, and the likes of Roger Williams and co. possibly the green route (traditionally the inter route). Same goes for over 40's - if you're Nigel Birkett, then you'll find the over 40 route very easy. You can see from the regs generally which route each class rides, Above all it's a good fun day out - for me the great thing is Experts/Inters/Novice/Youth down to 8 to 10 year olds all riding round a massive 28 mile lap with 40 sections with a course for everyone. It's the closest that many people will get to a road trial without actually going on the road. I normally ride expert on a modern bike - The way I would probably go on a twinshock is to ride as Inter (out of class) so that I really enjoy a great day out. As long as you move up the scale, there is always the trophy for the best ride on each route (irrespective of the class) - although for me, its the day out, the award would be of no importance. To give you another perspective of the trial - in previous years the first 8 or so riders away have been club members. We ride ahead of the entry as the first group of sections are manned - when we get to about section 17 we peel off one rider to each section and observe the entry through. By the time the entry get round to section 25, the observers have moved from the first group and we're through to section 40 with observers again. It works well - in fact last year we managed to cover almost every section with observers, so us rider/observers weren't needed. There's always a backup that if the entry is getting through the mid point before the observers, we can stop people at the BURGER VAN until the observers pass through. The only thing some people aren't used to is it does have to move a little quicker than a standard club trial - more like Novogar pace - you don't have to run through the sections, but you can't have a fag at every section or the back markers will be giving you a nudge to save our observers. Enough of my rambling - it's a reet good day

Welsh Championship at the same venue on the Monday. Well....same venue but a different bit of it, at the bottom of the hill I think. You have to be of Welsh origin to gain points, but it's open to all. I believe these are pre-entry these days - I've not ridden any this year. There is a clubman route which is very do-able by most (no disrespect - couldn't think of a way of describing it - it's in no way a killer), a masters route doing half and half, and the expert route with the odd nasty If Gasserboy is around he'll know what the score is, otherwise I'll try to find out for you. Edit: Doh - Gasserboy up riding the SSDT, I'd imagine his old man with him. I'll try to contact his mum (club secretary) and get back to you with info.

If anybody hasn't seen them yet, the regs are here: forest_trophyreg07.pdf Llanfyllin_Entry_Form6.pdf

That's the only time my bike gets serviced too. Sometimes a full strip down.

6'2" and just past the 300lb barrier. I think I'm still growing up, my wife says I need to anyway

I may have taken that the wrong way? Or was it you that took it the wrong way? Mind you I wasn't sure how serious the first question was either - I've had a hard week Boddingtons aint too bad at all, nice and cold, and get the bugger in a glass before the widget kills it for you

I run my lads on the same as my Sherco - around 75-80:1 Runs sweet on that.

So many potential **** takes, but I feel I'm just a little too late :-)

I know the bike trials community are also getting stung by this. If we are to start a petition, I think it may be worth making the message a joint trials/bike trials message. There's a big part of our community that are involved with both anyway - surprising how many links you find when you go along to a few events. There is a thread on one of the bike trials forums at the moment. Barbara Wright (from thread below) is also in touch with Yeadon & Guisely. We can put you in touch with Barbara if it's of any assistance. She's very keen and generally "a right good lass" from what I hear. (Runs cleanbikes) There is a big following for the bike trials site - and you'll probably notice that there's already a link to TC on their thread here: Bike Trials Forum Thread

I'm guessing you mean the hockey team rather than just Canadian flags? Where does Canuck come from anyway??? Cover looks great - never seen anyone do that, but if I'd thought of that a few years ago I may well have bought a crew cab. I have nowhere to keep a normal tonneau cover really and needed some boot space. Just seeing Daves truck in the background brings back good memories, and jealousy for you lucky buggers. Maybe one day, but not looking like it's going to be soon.

As long as you use the front brake on, you can manage it pretty well whichever way you do it, although like has been said above, I would use the clutch bite point rather than the brake. What you've got to make sure is that you're using the fork compression rather than fighting against it. If you feel like you're pulling your arms off you're probably trying too hard. You need to get in to a slow rhythm as the forks compress and rebound so you're just helping the wheel up off the ground as the forks bounce slowly up and down. If you can manage it without the clutch then you should be able to do it even better once you add a timely blip of the throttle later. P.S. I'm sh*te and from a non-hopping era but this makes it easy for me

There's no proper camping, it's roughing it for a night Not normally too bad at that time of year. It would be great if we had a field up there, but unfortunately it's all at the side of the forest tracks. Maybe we'll manage to make one some day, but maybe at the moment it would be better not to plough a load of trees down We only just got the land back. There are Bed and Breakfasts nearby, the best one, as it's VERY motorcycle friendly is the Cann Office Hotel about 7 miles away from the Forest. Nothing plush, but very welcoming, good beer and cheap but clean accommodation. Cann Office You may have to ask around a bit to get someone who can actually book a room for you, but they'll get there And watch out for the local with 6 fingers who asked me to marry him (in the toilets at midnight). Him and his cross eyed mate with the toilet roll dragging behind him. Very romantic, but not my scene (on that occasion). I'm not painting a pretty picture am I, but seriously the place is spot on, beer garden as well, and if you fancy camping there they have camping facilities too.

I'd rather be last on Saturday than Sunday - means you can get back cleaned up and on the beer early before the presentation

I've always liked the C15 and B40. No place for either of them in there?

I've had good service from the Trialcast pegs. Mine were prototypes about 2 years ago. They've had a good hammering, and I'm just about thinking about a new pair. I dare say I'll go with Trialcast again, at half the price of titanium. Trialcast

I was thinking 250 2 stroke?

There.....simplified You didn't used to be a school teacher by any chance? They used to say that, let me simplify it for you... P.S. How come at aged 16 I'm allowed to have sex, but at nearly 40 you'd think it was illegal as far as my missus is concerned? Don't answer that teach!

Have you tried a Scorpa? I don't like them myself, but the engine is smoother (its from that era), and in three years it will seem like vintage Edit: I replied without reading your reply Copamech - uncanny eh?

Three and a half year old Sherco 290 - just about as stock as you can get it. I put new pegs on it because the original pegs got mangled. I put new snail cams on it because the originals weren't enough to take a full chain link out. Other than that, I have never blamed anything but the thing above the seat for any shortcomings. I don't want a new one because I darent sell this one. I can't imagine ever owning a better bike.

I did the front pipe of my Sherco with standard Halfords high temp paint. Did about 6 coats - still looks fine.

I suppose I could imagine the fatter grips making a difference, slightly bigger grip has got to give a bit more leverage on the bars. Anybody know of any - I may give it a try. When you think that kids use the same size grips as those of us with hands like shovels it makes sense that we could maybe do with trying something a little bigger.