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Here's your chance to get your point over. Let us know where we went wrong, where we went right, any suggestions ideas. From my point of view: 1. Learnt lesson with some of the sections on the banks. The intention of these was to give a bit of variety from all the stream sections, and also to try to create some sections which would perhaps get worse as the day went on, to even up the balance for the first riders, who no doubt get it a little harder in the streams. Some of them turned to sh*t (2 of them really, section 22 and 27). With hind sight, I wouldn't have them. 3's and 5's everywhere, but there you go. 2. Two of the sections in the stream (23 and 24) were altered on the day due to rising water levels. These were intended to be fairly easy ones anyway as a build up to the nasty section 26 so no great loss. Turned out almost exactly at the level they were intended anyway. 3. Timing - As far as I saw, there was a fair bit of hanging around at the first sections. When I got there as number 64, there were still riders in their 30's, so they'd already lost 30 minutes. I didn't see any massive queues, but that's maybe as I was towards the back (although I was riding with the 40's/50's most of the time). Quite a few people finished with 30 minutes to spare. I think we had a fair number of first time Novogar riders, who maybe weren't quite aware of the speed required (it's a faster pace than a regular club trial). Quite a few of these were near the front as they were late antries so maybe that caused a bit of bunching? Be interested to hear what people think about the time. 4. Section severity - We aimed to get 10-15 marks off the winner, without killing the bottom end of the entry. Also consciously tried to avoid the sh*t or bust type sections.The winner was on 13 marks, so we hit the spot we were after - all we need to be sure of is if that is the right level or not? We found it very hard to walk past some lovely rockery, because we needed a slightly easier section in between two toughies for instance. We also eased off some of the sections - we had a couple of days with two of our youth riders who were a great help - Eddy Roberts and James Francis (observed on the day) tested many of the sections we were unsure of, and on occasions it was an eye opener - very handy to have someone to be able to actually ride the sections. Special thanks to James Francis for testing a dodgy route after section 22 - unfortunately his big dab in the air helped him in to a 5 foot deep section of river, completely submerging bike and rider. Section scrubbed! I'm not the sort of bloke that takes anything to heart (thick skinned bugger), so give us the truth - improvements, suggestions, etc on any part of the event.

If you're going to have standardisation, then why have the SACU? Why not just have the ACU? How is the SACU related to the ACU? Is it a subsidiary of the ACU? Is it linked in any way? I would rather pay the

Broken your typing finger have you?

Ahaaaaa! Gust of wind and hey presto! It's not Eddy at all, but Ian Beardsall in disguise (alias Webmonkey) - Andy's trusty baldy sidekick

I refuse to believe that's Eddy in the photo. He looks 10 years younger than me, and he was knocking about when I was wrecking my Grifter. It's not him, he's not old enough it's not NO!

I'm riding our kid's Rev 50. Guaranteed three, I can carry it everywhere For anyone travelling up on the Saturday, a few of us (I think about 6 or 7 so far) will be "warming up" in the Cann Office Hotel (start point) from about 5 or 6 oclock on Saturday night, then crawling to our rooms (probably about 8 oclock ) You don't have to go to the lengths that we do to prepare if you don't have that level of commitment, but feel free to say hello and Gasserboy will no doubt buy you a pint. He's always got his wallet out 10 pints of Strongbow and a curry has turned out to be my most successful preparation so far this year, so I'll be out for the win. (Observing more like) Bad news about Tom, but it's possible he may be able to ride. Our Novogar round and the ISDE don't compare. My feeling is that he was also worried about the Bikespace home advantage and chickened out. Yeah right - I'd have a job to beat Anne Sagar

I would try a 300 first, just in case. I borrowed one at late notice for one of the Novogar rounds earlier this year. First time on it, it just felt so easy to ride. My best ride of the year so far. Absolutely loved it. Just had a go of the same bike a few days ago, and my view's not changed. Despite my problems with the 2002 Pro, I could be tempted by a 300. So much torque, perfect low end power. What have you got Gasserboy, 250 or 280? Cos that was bloody horrible when I rode that I'm not being too cruel there, it's horses for courses, and the 300 was his too (his dads).

Like it I'll give you that one

Ouch! What have I ever done to you lot? Oh yeah, fair one That's it, I've decided, I'm going to get a wig. Where d'ya get yours from K?

Bloody hell - 100 quid - get two sets of the trialcast ones. Not titanium, but titanium is a sort of grey colour anyway - you don't like grey right? Go for gold, I've not wrecked mine yet and they've had some stick.

I'm 36. Been saving since I was born. Still got bugger all!

I do, but I'm going to let people use their own imagination, it'll be more interesting

Most sections will be accessible to spectators. Some are obviously better to watch than others. Best to ask on the morning, but definitely some nice ones in the last group. Observers will be even more welcome If you fancy observing you could turn up at the Cann Office Hotel at 0830 You could even have two sections if you like, one at the start and one at the end. Gasserboy will show you the way, you'll have no problem keeping up with the poor cripple anyway.

Lick your finger and try to cover up the valve with it (nice), just to see if you've got a leak there. Otherwise, get it in the bath and watch for the bubbles. Good one to do while the other half is out

Guessing game then? Stuck in the gravel, rolled back, sumped it. Got stuck with one wheel spinning.

What club was it, and where was it?

If she didn't I would have had her to the doctors by now!

Come on - there's got to be some better photo's and an explanation of what really happened?

Can you get 'em on here Alan? Or are they not available in electronic format.

Hyland trial?? Go on - tell me more. What club, where near Welshpool. etc I think we're probably marking out tomorrow for the Novogar (near Welshpool) so just wondering where it is. Cheers

I wouldn't bother with the Kliponoff - I've got one. Put it this way, you can have mine for

There will be all sorts of variations on these answers, but here's mine. You won't kill it by using these anyway. I'm around 17 stone riding the expert route, and doing most of the Novogar's plus the odd other national on top of club trials - what I'm getting at is my bike gets about as good a test as any clubman will give a bike and runs like clockwork (touch wood). Mine is an 04, just coming up for 2 years old and I've had it from new - it's been that good to me I don't want to change. 1. I use Silkolene light gear oil in the gearbox, changing it roughly every 6 to 8 trials (I don't get to practice too often so adjust as necessary) 2. My clutch always sticks when cold, but as you say, give it a push, put it in to gear, and brakes on it will soon clear. 3. Fuel mix I use at around 65:1 using the best unleaded you can get (optimax is good but had no probs with any other super unleaded). I am convinced I notice a drop in power at 50:1. I use Silkolene Comp 2 plus (fully synthetic), just because I can get it locally. About

And if anyone fancies observing, they could also give Graham Evans a call on 01686 625010 (Option 2) or if it's out of office hours call me on 07768 058291. If I don't manage to answer it, either leave me a message or I'll call you back if your number is shown. P.S. If I get a call from Dafydd in Llandewi Brefi I'll know who it is Well I'll have a shortlist of about 6 people anyway.

Last call for the Welsh Novogar round on the 25th September. Closing date for entries has been extended to Thursday 15th September. Just posted it again front page to drum up those last few entries that may fancy a damned good day out. Come on - get your entry in!!! Regs below - the sections are looking great, get it done. Novogar_Entry.pdf

I think, around