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Did you manage to get one of that German lass running the organiser over as she jumped out of section 12. Once I'd separated him from her bike and I knew his leg wasn't broken, I couldn't help but chuckle at him yelping like a big girl No - sorry that's cruel - I didn't mean that..........much I felt more sorry for the rider - she obviously felt awful....especially when he gave her a 5 instead of a 3 and had to re-punch it He did do a lovely back flip though and had that other bike not been in the way I think he'd have got away. Even he'd laugh at it now

Oh - Tell me about it! Minding on Saturday - Borrowed GasGas 300 so more parts would be interchangeable (legally). GasGas lasted until just before section 1 when it sprung a leak (from cylinder head) - not good! Took bike back to paddock, ran (walked a bit fast) back to section 1. Two laps on foot in boots and helmet, I was springing a few leaks too. Good job I'm such a spritely chap All ready for 7 hours observing on the Sunday. Wouldn't have missed it for the World

Yep, think Dabster's right. Had mine go a few times. Very cheap, we're talking less than 30 quid from what I remember for the clutch kit. Plates need to be measured right. Back to perfect afterwards.

If I can borrow your bike I'll ride at Hawkestone I have no fear of injury, merely of bankrupcy. My body's more padded than my wallet.

I'm reserving judgement a little until I've seen someone really wind one up. I would like to have a go just to see how they feel generally, but no matter what, on someone else's bike I'm really not going to wind it up too much. I think we probably are comparing chalk and cheese. If a big lad like myself or Marky G rode a Sherco 125 for example it would probably have no more guts than the Scorpa (I'm suspecting probably less). In fact I have ridden the 125 Sherco and it does suffer a fair bit under this kind of stress. I'd love to see what the likes of Ross Danby could make it do though and see how he feels it compares to his 2 stroke 125.

I emailed and asked if camping was available for competitors/minders/observers/spectators. The answer I got back said that as I was observing I could stay in the paddock, so didn't completely answer my question, but as long as nothing messes things up I'll be taking the tent along and resting my weary head within. I've no doubt I'll nip out for a babycham or two.

Got to admit as I was driving to the All Wales Team Trial the thought crossed my mind, wouldn't it be good to have a couple of gallery sections - bit bigger than the rest maybe with music blaring. Abba wouldn't have been my choice but heh-ho. Doesn't fit Yorkshire though maybe, too down to earth for toes tapping in the wellies? What about you Kinell? - Maybe Talking Heads - Road to Nowhere, or Sister Sledge - Lost in Music.

I had the Pro 02, which in my opinion was a dog (although many people have them and love them), but not sure if there were similar problems with the standard TXT ??? I'm thinking probably not. To add to that, even the pro was lovely for as long as it stayed together. There is still no bark like the 02 280 pro.....only trouble is the thing barked and bit me in the wallet a few times too many.

I agree - If being a four stroke was the only criteria then Scorpa were the first of the new era, but there were 4 strokes in the 80's which are much more competitive. Very nice that Scorpa have put out a cute 4 stroke to appeal to the existing twin-shock/pre-65 lads, and they're even providing big seats for the type of rider where leg bending or prolonged standing is a problem (me before very long). They've not produced anything to compete with the existing range have they???

My size 12 boots used to stand on it all the time. I don't know how people manage - I like to have to make a definite grab for mine, sometimes a desperate grab Luckily I slid about 40 feet down a rock face a few months ago, bent the lever forwards and now fits the contour of my boot perfectly. I'm dreading breaking it, I'll have to go back to self induced summersaults for a while until I managed to bend it again.

None taken!

Oooh - Nice comeback! Don't encourage him - I was hoping to just get away with it quietly To compliment my previous useless answer I went trying to find out where the name for the Ossa Plonker came from and..............after about an hour of searching the web.............wait for it...........................nothing! Can't find any reference to its origin whatsoever. Somebody somewhere must know?

I hear Kinell already has a support vehicle sorted for next year...

I'm minding on the Saturday, and volunteered for observing on the Sunday - not heard anything back about observing though so no idea if I'm an official or not at the moment. Posted a question on the site - hopefully we'll be able to find out from there.

Dunno but this might be his mentor. Same trial by the looks of it. Looks like the photo's were of the Sidcup Sixty by Rob Fleet. Come on we've got to be able to name the pilot

This is the definition from an on-line dictionary: Plonker - an idiot, fool or a word for penis. Popularized by the UK TV comedy 'Only fools and horses'. i.e. "Rodney you total plonker !", or "You're pulling my plonker". Judging from this web site they seem to be mostly in the US Plonka's I get the feeling it could be from the old four stroke though - Plonk, plonk, plonk. Unless you're all wino's and it derives from that (Bottle of Plonk)

He's certainly going to have to push like hell to get back in control from there Although it looks like he's managed to keep a grip of the rear mudguard with his feet so he should be OK. Mind you some observers these days would give a five for that eh?

I hear what you're saying. Thinking about it logically I would agree.....but.... My bike's coming up for a year old now, I've used nothing but WD40. Chain is never dirty because I think WD40 attracts less dirt than oil, and although it washes off easily (wich could be a negative point) it does allow it to be cleaned as new every time out and WD40 applied again. Here's the argument: I'm the wrong side of 17 stone riding the expert route, so my chain should be getting about as hard a time as you can get. I reckon I'm about two Graham Jarvis's I ride at least once a weekend, plus marking out trials and the odd bit of practicing, yet my chain adjustment has just moved to position 4 this week and the sprockets are looking spot on. Either Sherco are using some damned good chains or the WD40 isn't doing it much harm. I'm not sure how this compares, but I would normally be expecting to change chain and sprockets about now. I reckon chain oiling is part of a conspiracy by the chain manufacturers - Here's your new chain and sprockets and here's something to help along the abrasion process See you soon! What we need is twin brothers (or sisters - sorry) riding trials to test the theory.

Someone at the classic yesterday reckoned there was on site camping - and a beer tent!!! But that was yesterday - anybody know if there's any for the Euro round? If not I'll try and have a ring around tomorrow.

Only tried it once, but found the drill went straight through my hand. Now I have hell of a job holding the split link without dropping it Seems like a fair technique. How do you rate the idea of just using WD40? I wouldn't entertain the idea for something like an enduro machine, but for trials I'm beginning to be convinced. I did think about shoving some oil on for the Manx 2 day, but we have to refuel every 10 minutes anyway (nearly) so wouldn't hurt to shove a bit of WD40 on a couple of times during the day. Must remember to be less liberal with the WD40 - hardly had any brakes for the first 15 minutes today.

Looks a bit civilised for you Heath :-) I may fancy camping one night - not sure which. I'm minding on the Saturday, so maybe Saturday night would be best, otherwise wear loads of padding Daz, I may be slow on the catching.

Rob Edwards was/(is) one of the most cheerful blokes I've ever met in trials, I can only ever remember him smiling. From what I remember he went for years (probably twenty to thirty) with breathing problems and I seem to remember my old man mentioning that they had managed to sort him out in the last few years - some rare rheumatic disease or summat. I reckon he would be 20 years or so ahead of me so maybe getting towards 60 now? Hopefully still well. I think he managed top 3 or 4 in the world at least once - a shame he got slowed down along the way.

Is this a little over the top. Not sure if it's road legal, but would improve upper body strength: Over the top?

Phew - Thought you'd started a trials school then Kinell. I already had my cheque book out

There are classes that are there which have fixed entry requirements (over-40, over-50, twin-shock, pre-65). You either belong in it or you don't (maybe a little more grey area in the pre-65, but you get the gist) Then there are the classes that are based on ability, beginner, novice, inter, expert etc. These are the classes that need policing. If you've won your fair share of trials, you either move up to the next, or if you don't fancy the next harder route, then stay on the same route and ride out of class. I had 17 years off and rode the novice class for the first few, but made sure I was marked out of class. It seems simple to me, if you just want to ride for fun without risking injury (if that's the problem) then ride out of class. By the way, this is not aimed at anyone in this forum, as I know the twinshock boys ride where the challenge is and I believe they have the spirit of the event spot on, this is just a general view I'm putting over.