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Edit: Entries to Jean Williams, 3 Chimneys, Llansantffraid, Powys, SY22 6AY

Hi all, Welsh Experts trial entry form below, a one route event aimed at good clubman level with the odd section to take some marks off the experts (I'm reliably informed). Eligibility for Welsh Experts is points scored in a Welsh Championship trial, but entry is open to all comers. This year hosted by Llanfyllin & DMCC at Green Hall Farm near Trefonen - 6th Dec 10am start. Any questions, get back to me, I might not know but I'll find out, or call secretary on 01691 828330 Cheers, Gaz Welsh_Experts_Entry_Form_2009.pdf

Not a bad idea but I still think he'd have the upper hand

He he - not a bad idea, make it 120Kg and I'll be right back up there

Yep, worst case, if he was 12 this year, he's got to wait a couple of months until he can compete on it. Certainly not worth buying a smaller bike with just 2 months to wait. Maybe buy it and take him out practicing for a bit, then he's all ready to go in January. Or get it, store it, and give him it for xmas?

Yeah - my lads Rev 50 did exactly the same, revved it's nuts off on choke. Never did it any harm. Same with the oil leaking out of silencer too. I ran it about 85:1 maybe could have put it nearer 100:1 on synthetic?

He he - I think you might be right in the top pic, but I reckon the one in the middle of the bottom pic is a Wallin? Gary Ianson next to Stuart Tate on the bottom one. Darren Pine with the BIG HAIR to the left of Richard Brown. I was trying to decide if that was me or Nick Coleby next to Craig Hardacre, but I think this was the night I was waiting for my old man to come home from work and he planted our old Renault in to a wall in Yarm, so we never went

For people near Mid Wales area - Clive Club Trial this weekend at Melindwr near Dolanog. Looks like it's not gone in to TMX, but Kev Bowden asked me to put it on the web. Good little course, streams, mud, banks, all the usual classes, beginners through to experts, see you there!

Yep - my vote is Beta Rev 50. Great little bike. We had one for nearly 3 years, and lost about 150 quid per year on it. Never thought I'd go against the TY80, but these days I think only any good for early D class.

So abdominal fat is linked to excess cortisol which is trials riders worry. What does that bit mean? That's where all my blubber is - can't imagine why :-) I'm 19% fat and just under 19 stone. On the fat scale it seems I'm "acceptable". On the Boots scales I'm a basket case And Funtrials - I think at 37% you had about the same genetic make up as a pepperami - summat to be proud of, you're a bit of an animal

The 05 Gasser 300 is probably one of my favourites. You'll have more power for starters. I'm a Sherco man, but ridden quite a few Gassers and done the odd Novogar on an 05 300. For the same money as long as the Gasser is sound I'd snap it up. From 06 they got a bit too light at the front end for me.

I'm 40 years old 6'3" and just under 19 stone. I really shouldn't be typing this fast, never mind riding a bike, but it seems to work most weeks When I was playing rugby I liked to try to keep a bit of body fat up, but I reckon I've overdone it now, and it don't come off too easy these days. You could have a heart attack if you worry about it though - Just Ride!

There's been loads of discussions about numbers of riders over the past few years, and quite a few comments about the majority of riders being middle aged or more. Not sure whether that's true across the country but seems to be a common theme. It struck me the other day that 25 years ago when I hit the fatal distractions of beer and the fairer sex, I could chuck my Fantic/Yamaha away in the garage until I felt like dragging it out again, not lose a massive amount of money on it, and not find out that my bike was prehistoric when it came out 10 months later. These days it doesn't seem like the bikes have really changed that much technically over the past 5 or 6 years, but the manufacturers have managed to make a 2004 model look very old compared to the recent model. I wouldn't ride much better (if at all) on a 2009 model compared to a 2004. I know the manufacturers have to try to make people buy new bikes every year (or every 6 months if they had the chance) but I'm sure this is contributing to teenage/twenties riders feeling that they just can't keep up with the game now that dad's not footing the bill. The older bikes look dated not particularly because the newer ones have a great new modern design, but because psychologically you've seen 4 or 5 new (different) designs since that heap sat in your garage was current. It's too old to ride, I'm packing in Look at the TY175/TY80. I can't even remember when they came out, probably just after the war but nobody really knew whether your bike was 1 year old or 6 years old if you kept it tidy, the dealer generally had to hold one or maybe two versions of a piece of stock, because the 1976 plastics were the same as the 1979 etc. You can still buy parts for a TY175 and be fairly sure it'll fit your year (yeah there were a few versions of tank stickers, but not many over the years. I'm not being nostalgic, just noting that we tend to lose riders at 16/17/18 because it's too expensive to keep up these days, especially as a sport which you can throw in the garage and pick it up again a month or two later. The Scorpa seems to have stayed reasonably the same over the years, the problem for me (excuse me Scorpa owners - I'm a well known Scorpa hater) is that it wasn't that good when it was brand new. I'm not that sure that a "no-bull****" bike that would stay the same for a few years would really drag the people in, but I do think the throw away bike culture has damaged things. Not sure whether it's really the problem, or a contributing factor, and I'm definitely not sure if there's an answer to it? Can the bike manufacturers survive if they don't persuade the fashion victims to buy a new bike every year? Just a thought anyway

LOL

I will NEVER put low octane fuel in mine. Absolutely definitely makes a difference. I've done it in the past when I've had to, filling up in the sticks and no super unleaded, then forgotten all about it, and been reminded when the bike starts pinking. It's maybe 40 or 50 pence difference a week - same with plugs -

Cheshire Youth (don't let the name put you off, I'm 40), Denbigh and Mold, Llangollen, Wrexham And if you fancy travelling a little further South to us on the Welsh border, Llanfyllin. You should have a good day at all of those.

You reckon after 6 years mine should be ready for a feeler gauge then?

Go to a farming supplies place for a syringe (lamb feeder), a nd some tubing. Real easy that way. May need to superglue the tube to the syringe.

Results now available below and from the Llanfyllin website - not trying to steal traffic Andy, I don't particularly want it Top 5: John Crinson Sam Haslam (not eligible) Gary Jenkins Chris Pearson Miles Jones Time was a little tighter this year than most. Same time limit as for the past 4 years of 6 hours, but I think a few more delays along the way, a couple of double subs not helping things. Most of the time penalties were amongst the clubmen, but it was clear that one or two of the top riders were rushing a little for the second half of the trial, although the top three of Crinson, Haslam and Jenkins were back fairly well on time. I thought as riders reached me at section 27 that maybe things had been a bit tough, but looking at the marks lost, for the top boys we'd maybe have aimed for a few more ideally. For the rest of the entry the marks are probably about where we were aiming. Richard Allen, Mick Boam and Mike James at the top of the over 40 class, and Pete Ruscoe, Tim Morris, Brian Welch on the clubman route. Rumour has it that Mike James stopped at the pub as he dropped off the hill, which would explain the three 5's on section 17,18 and 19 that dropped him back a bit. What happened Mike? John Crinson was one down at the punch card change, but then cleaned every section on the second card. Some of those sections are damned nasty, especially 23, the waterfall in the corner. That's a storming ride to clean the second half of the trial. Thanks to everyone who helped. I won't name all the names for fear of missing just one poor bugger off it, just THANKS EVERYONE. Feel free to throw your comments/suggestions/abuse this way. May be non-stop next year, but it's good to hear how many think it's too hard compared with how many think it needs toughening up. I don't take offence as long as you don't mention bald, fat or ugly ;-) and even then I'm pretty feckin used to it. Powys_Trophy_Trial_2009c.pdf

Looks like we're just about sorted. Never really had this sort of trouble before, but really unlucky with number of people away one place or another. We normally use the rider/observer idea for our Forest Trophy trial as the result is not of great importance. Not sure it'd be great for the Novogar though as I reckon there's a fair chance of big disputes with riders observing competitors. Maybe we could try it with some clubman riders next year if we need to. Thanks to those able to help anyway, especially the dads that have riders in the event. Ray Crinson, Steve Fox, Andrew Huxley, and a few others I believe. To the rest of the riders and their support crew, please bear in mind that there are riders out there with less support than they may have had, because the support crew are observing - please try to help out riders with breakdowns/punctures etc. Look forward to seeing you tomorrow - let's hope we can get a bit of sun, the water's been pretty deep recently.

Hi all, REALLY short of observers for this weekends Novogar trial (Sunday 6th Sept). Start is 20 miles West of Welshpool in a little village called Llangadfan. If anybody fancies being a saviour, please give me (Gaz Hinton), Jean or Elwyn a call on 01691 828330 or my mobile 07545 262327. It's a long slog to mark out 40 sections over 26 miles, but a worse nightmare to find the observers for it at the end. If anybody is interested, you are able to bring a bike along if you like, but most of the sections are within a few yards of the road/track also. Nobody minds you scrubbing the sections off while there's no riders about Once you're on the land there is no road work needed - central parking spot will let you travel all around it by bike! Any help really appreciated. Cheers, Gaz Hinton

Regs now out for the Mid Wales Novogar trial on 6th September. Moved to two weeks earlier this year so we don't clash with the Hipwell. Mainly because most of our lads would like to ride both. Entries close on 1st September or when full - 100 rider limit. Clubman course available this year - deviations from the Novogar route where possible. Yet to find out what level this will be marked out at, but the Novogar will remain at a similar level to previous years. Novogar_Regs_and_Entry_2009.pdf

Is that just for the smaller ones then? I've never seen Rathmell recommend anything other than synthetic, but I suppose I've never asked about the 80. It's definitely worth checking. Sherco recommend K2 which is fully synthetic. I'm fairly sure Rathmell recommends Ipone fully synthetic. Semi-synthetic in the gearbox, fully synthetic pre-mix.

Hmmmm....maybe but I think maybe just a bit thick. Never know - worth flagging it up in case someone recognises it I suppose. 100% feedback, mainly a buyer. Could be a language barrier, he's obviously a foreigner :-)