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'm struggling to remember how it panned out last year. I seem to remember that Ishy went off to an early start, but wasn't carrying enough lard and was wasting away by the end of it. Whereas Perce was packing a little too much lard from day one, but had plenty stored up for mid week when Ishy was flagging, and would have peaked at day 9 - Doh! At the moment my money's on Ishy, but if Perce can hit peak fitness at day one, and with the experience under the belt......in fact....I'm taking the SSDT virgin factor from this year in to account and.... I'm going for Perce, by a nose!!! Any takers? It's not big money, I'm a Yorkshire Welshman

I don't think that's a bad thing sometimes. On occasions, there is a fine line between staying in the section and going out of the boundaries, when tape is not used. Some observers will allow a long way out of the section, whilst some seem to go over the top on keeping a straight line between flags, even when a straight line is not possible at other parts of the section. If the rider hasn't gained a significant advantage from riding the rest of the section, and if there was some doubt over the ride, then laying down the law from that point on, and allowing the first few riders to ride again seems the fairest way. One option is to penalise the first few riders, the other to allow them to ride that route and allow the same for everyone else, sometimes ruining an otherwise good section. If the flags are not clear enough sometimes I think there needs to be some flexibility. The rider still has to ride the section fair and square. This probably doesn't fit in with the rules, but neither do a lot of section markers. The answer really is to ask the observer to specify how far you can go, there's no argument then, I always do, so I don't turn up on the second lap and half the entry has cleaned it the "easy way". This may not be the issue but often is.

As a GasGas rider turned Sherco, I would say - boll**ks. Get him to elaborate on the problems. Probably talking about a few years ago. I had those problems but would definitely be tempted by any of: Sherco, GasGas, Beta, Montesa. Everyone has their stories, but really they're all pretty damned good at the moment. All you've got to look at really is price, local dealer support, and personal preference after trying them.

I'd be interested to hear if you do and it makes much difference. I think I'm about 115Kg riding the expert route. All I've done at the front (Sherco) is forks wound all the way up. I think it's less important than the back. Alot of riding is done keeping the front nice and light and hopping the wheel to where you want it, unlike the rear which has to cope with all the weight all the time. I've not noticed problems really, I don't seem to be bottoming them out and it's not folding under.

300 of us going ahhhhhhh! Ishy - down boy! Yamaha Dude - Ignore the nasty man, he's a bast**d when his shrapnel wounds are giving him jip. Fill yer boots, get some colouring in done.

Might not stop you finishing the trial, but it certainly brought tears to my eyes Toilet humour...rated just below sarcasm I think

Hmmmm.....I'm not convinced. By the time you needed it I reckon the valve could be all the way round the other side of the tyre, so you may have to have the tyre half off just to get the valve through. And the battering you've given it in the mean time would probably have holed the tube anyway. Valve being crushed inside the tyre, dunno though. I reckon go for dog turds with a carried tube. Only takes 5 minutes to shove a tube in anyway (probably 10 when you're full of mud). Mind you I haven't done the Scottish so what do I know And don't blame your friend for your idea's

Perhaps it would look better with all the wheels painted red Would have been even funnier if you'd just left the Gasser facing the other way

Just seen the Dirtrider Expo advert in TMX. I've been the last few years and it seems to be growing every year. Last year when I went, I was considering a new Beta or a new Sherco. Beta didn't bother turning up - I spent a while talking to the Rathmells and after trying a few, bought a Sherco two weeks later. GasGas there, Sherco there, Montesa there, not too worried about Scorpa (sorry ) still no Beta. Is there a reason?

No, I'm whimping out of the Scott. I had intended having a go, but I gave my bike a semi hard time at the manx 2 day and it wasn't too happy for a while. I think I could kill it at the Scott if I wanted. I didn't like the idea of being torn between winding the throttle open and showing a bit of mercy to the trusty steed. I need a 500 Sherco! That's my story anyway

Maybe he got to choose Thanks for the explanation

Hmmmm....sort of clashes with your other post asking people how long you should use a tyre for and is 10 psi OK? My Sherco grips fine. It keeps falling over but I assure you it's not the bike that's doing that. Strange that very few experts say that their bike is limiting them, but plenty of lesser riders do

I think the level of rider travelling to the national events these days is generally Expert at club level, or capable of struggling round expert sections, or possibly intermediate. Not sure whether that's the way it should be or not, but there seem to be enough of them to fill the entry lists. How does that fit in with the perception from other centres? Apologies if that previous question sounded aggressive, not meant to be Just realised my signature may seem a little aggressive too, but also innocent funny line I loved from a martial arts film Anyone know which one?

I'm obviously not up on the ladies Dabster Easy course? Go on explain for me. On this occasion I'm not jokin' or being sarcastic I don't understand the European setup, I'm sure plenty of other people don't either. I was aware that I didn't recognise any (well, many) of the names in there. I do recognise Kayleigh Price from the Manx 2 day. I remember she nearly got her knee down on the road near Laxey on muddy tyres, while my a*se was tweaking as my back end stepped out. The only reason I managed to overtake her was she was going too fast and missed a turning And her dad was slowing her down Ahhh....just noticed....International class.....still don't really know what that is though????

This seems like a viable argument for extra routes at trials. There are regularly arguments against having more than a couple of routes. I'm still a little undecided as to it's effect on trials as a whole, although I think my gripe is over too many classes, as opposed to too many routes. When the riders themselves are turning out to mark out these extra routes then I can't see there being any argument against it. My view is that 3 routes is good, but keep the classes to a minimum. If an extra route is needed at the TOP for individual events then so be it. But, on all the Novogar's and big Nationals, experts manage to compete over the same sections as the super experts without too much pain and anguish. There's some confusion these days (in my mind anyway), so here's a question regarding your post: What's the difference between a clubman and a novice. I'd say most of our clubmen are novice level, (for Yorkshire level novice sections anyway).

Look at the ladies results though - Brits Top 4 - Good stuff

220Kg????? About 20Kg more than a GSXR 1100? Probably not Dunno what that is - maximum load, breaking strain or summat?

Depending on what car you got, it would be cheaper......and a damned site easier in the long run to fit a new tow bar and bike rack, and maybe sell the old towbar. If you fit yourself and fit aftermarket towbars it will still be less than

I agree, would be good to see 'em all together, and also don't have the nogging to actually do it. Anybody here know anybody clever? Us thick people could perhaps have a whip round and get 'em to do it for us. That's not U.S. thick people before I get complaints from over the pond Oh dear, its not even 8 o'clock and already enough beer in me to talk rubbish.

Good idea How about 2 feet of trailing cable from the electrical socket. Surely any copper would be sympathetic having just lost your light board?

Although I agree with most of the ****e that Ishy blurbs I think the three routes round our way has helped a little. What we have is: Novice route, which tends to be a lot of clubman level riders, over 40's, Youth B etc Expert route, a fair bit harder with some big stuff. But also, (and this is the extra route really) a White route which is classed as the beginners. Riders who are progressing fairly well on TY80 machines could manage this route. Total beginners straight off a road bike. Part of the trouble is people staying too long on their existing routes. There seems to be a mass of people who like to come out and clean the easy route. If they're losing marks they're not happy. No interest in progressing. One thing I threw a track about was the renaming of the Adult Beginner class to Adult Sportsman, as this encourages people to stay on the same route and call themselves a Sportsman. The "I've got to go to work in the morning" line doesn't rub when you're just moving up to the Novice route. You may as well get a road bike and go sit at the sea-side with your butties. Move up and let some total beginners have some glory. I agree about the classes - way too many. Everyone wants an award these days for nowt. By the way, if you're inventing an obese class Ishy I may be tempted to drop down from Expert for that Will our route be planned to take in pubs and kebab vans at regular intervals?

The thing that would worry me about a 200 is reselling it. With all youth's moving to 125, in a year or so you're only going to be looking for adults who want a 200. I would have thought that's got to knock the value down a bit, although I may be wrong.

There are a few on Ebay at the moment, but these days there are enough goons that want to pay more than the going rate that it's hard to get a bargain. I bought the local autotrader/admags etc and had to go and see quite a few before I found a decent one. I visited a few where people seemed to think that any piece of metal balanced above a couple of wheels was automatically worth

As opposed to? Do you know anyone that imports them and sells at Spanish prices?

It seems to have disappeared Bill. There is a reference to it on another page, but the link is dead. Not sure if this coincides with it appearing in the shop for