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After all that waiting it's Sods Law that Dave Cooper rang me today, just after I'd had my Kliponoff rack delivered. If anybody is trying to get hold of him still, I'm sure he won't mind me giving out his alternative contact number: 07906 343171. I didn't find kliponoff on my quick Google search, but they've got an adequate web site - cheers fz950. And Cubby, cheers, I'm planning getting over there for the Manx 2 day this year so we'll have to have a beer or two. I've been working over there for a fair few of the events, Manx GP, both weeks of TT last year, Manx Rally, Southern 100, but never been there for a trial, so I've got to try and get over there this year for the 2 day. My work over there is usually night work, which is good for me getting to these events, but poor socially. In fact I've probably spent longer at Ronaldsway waiting for fog to clear than I have in pubs unfortunately

Absolutely no doubt about it - bike trials. I can ride motorbikes all day (ish). Ten minutes operating a set of pedals and I'm knackered. I don't mean just riding a bike, the hopping it about is the knackering bit. I may be lying about the all day bit on the motorbike, but you get the idea

Credit where it's due. Ordered from Colin Appleyard just before lunch yesterday, and delivered it this morning. Good stuff!

Not even had a look yet. I know there's a Wrexham trial on. I think at Wern Ddu. Wherever I go I'll be taking my mates lad with me so need to make sure there's a yellow route and youth are allowed to ride. Do the AMCA allow youth? Mind you I'm playing Rugby Saturday for the first time in a while, so we'll see how we go. Never very forgiving in the front row so I may be watching on Sunday

You gave me a few lessons on Sunday. I was gutted on that graded hillclimb when I scraped my wheel through the 2 marker then looped it down the hill, then you came along on a TY and shot up towards the 1 marker. Still not sure about these 125's. Not had a go of one yet. It wouldn't have pulled me up that hill in 4th gear anyway. Mind you neither did my Sherco, but that was my fault. It was still gripping, I just forgot to keep the handlebars at the top and wheels at the bottom I've got a good few years before I hit 40. It'll come quick enough

I would say not a cat in hells chance. I've got a Sherco 290 and my lad's got a TY80. It may be just the size difference makes it more awkward, but the TY80 actually seems heavier when lifting it on to the trailer I've often thought about a Landrover/Rangerover with a 2 bike rack where the bikes mount horizontally (like usual), but I would'nt have thought that any normal car would hack it (so much more leverage with the extra 2ft overhang. Were Bernie's mounted up the back window along side each other. I seem to remember a trials book with a Mk2 Cortina with this sort of rack. Don Smiths or Sammy Miller's maybe? I'll have a dig around.

Ordered a Kliponoff from Colin Appleyard this morning. They've got a load apparently, so they must be still making 'em. A little more expensive than the Dave Cooper at

I had Diadora's last time and got Novogars this time. The Novogars are definitely a better quality than the Diadora Stone, but of course the Stone 2 is available now so not sure how much of an improvement they are. With the Diadora's I had a good few of my buckles snap, and one of the buckles actually came off the boot after about a year. I was quite surprised at that, as I use a fair bit of Nikwax, mainly round the soles though I suppose. No complaints with the Novogars so far. Pretty well waterproof when Nikwax'd.

I was just going to say a mate of mine has the same problem, but its you I keep telling you, you're over maintaining it. You've worn it out with that chamois leather. If you had a proper job you wouldn't have the time. "I wanna be a Baker when I grow up".

I remember doing a Hull trial right under the Humber bridge about 25 years ago, and someone turned up like that. They took the front wheel off a TY175 and then the spindle went through a bar on the back of the car - no straps. Not much of a back tyre either though. I could imagine doing that with a Gasser and it would clunk in to gear on the motorway. You'd have half a back wheel by the time you get there.

Forgot about the Kliponoff ones to be honest. How different are they in design? Do you need to strap to the car or is there a central bar or bar at the back wheel? I've got roof bars which I will probably shove a loose strap on to just in case of emergency, but I would prefer not to have to feed one through the boot. I don't see there being much risk of the bike rack snapping, or the tow bar as I fitted a beefy Witter one with this in mind (and it goes straight through the chassis of the VW - not bolted underneath), but my healthy paranoia tells me there's only two bolts that need to snap to see my uninsured Sherco bounce down the motorway. Unlikely but possible, so I'll probably play safe. Anyone got an idea of guide price for Kliponoff racks? The Dave Cooper one's seem good value at

Just sent him a fax as well. Must be doing well if he can afford to miss out on sales. Needs a decent web site, or at least email details on his web site. Always seems a shame to me when company's have half hearted web sites. I suppose some people like to stay small and if he's working full pelt no need to change anything.

You know what Insurance companies are like though. You have a bump while you're riding and there's no way they are going to pay out. I know it's pretty unlikely, but in that case there's no point having it if the only time you actually need it it's invalid. You're probably OK as long as the police are concerned - You get stopped and get a producer, then you go to your local police station and prove you've got insurance - the event doesn't come in to it (probably). Someone suggested recently that you hang a couple of Tesco's bags off the bars and deny all knowledge of any event going on. You're just out shopping Not convinced it would work though Do many clubs provide this "Day insurance" available from the ACU for

Been trying to buy a Dave Cooper bike rack for past two days. The only contact numbers on their web site are a Tel/Fax number which is usually engaged, but otherwise goes straight to fax, and a mobile number which doesn't connect. I have text'd it but no reply yet. I'm stuck in the Isle of Man at the moment working (with no TMX to hand), does anybody know him, or have better contact numbers for him? Was looking to get hold of it for the weekend, but thats probably too late now. Not the end of the world, but would like to get it ordered as soon as I can. Cheers, Gaz

Its been about 18 years since I rode in Yorkshire (all my youth). I ride Expert in Cheshire and North Wales (admittedly towards the lower end), but I reckon I could probably lose a limb or two riding Expert in Yorkshire. I'm going to have a trip up home some time, I'll feel like I'm cheating riding anything other than Expert, but I wouldn't belong in the expert class at all. It's a little awkward to say the least.

You a very funny guy. I kill you last I'm not bald, I shave it so I look distinguished.....honest By the way - Breidden Hills asked me if I could send a report in to TMX last night for Sunday, think I'll send a correction now, I seem to remember not slagging you off enough Results are on our web site www.trialspace.co.uk as Breidden hills don't have one yet. I've added a link from our results page for "other clubs". Apologies for the quality of the results - not my doing, they came as a dodgy PDF.

I got it! We all got it Tim, stop showing off

Not sure whether you were asking Dabster or me, I think the former, but ayway I'm snookered for your TC trial. We have our own 40 section mountain trial on the same day. Spend a week marking it out I can't miss it. Was a bit gutted - I do enjoy the odd half pint of shandy (sometimes two). Next year.....

I had 16 years off and decided to ride 3 trials as a novice, and 3 trials as an Inter, and some tit still complained about that, so I asked to be marked as out of class to save any hassle. I wouldn't have won the Inters anyway. Amazing how competitive some people can get. As he was so gobby I thought he possibly knew what he was talking about - apparently not. I was wondering what would happen if I got to near 40 and could no longer handle the experts. Even as I hit 40 it's going to be a middle age crisis whether to give in to safety and move to over 40's. Is there an active over-40's championship in UK?

No-one's perfect! I mean no-one male obviously

I know someone selling an Ifor Williams enclosed trailor if anyones after one. Not sure of exact price, but they don't come cheap at the best of times. I would think it will be knocking on

The ACU gets a bit of a raw deal sometimes. Occasionally because of the odd pillock within the ACU which is impossible to avoid. I've come back to trials after 17 years off, primarily taken up by rugby. Playing for a local rugby club down south I had to pay

I used to use 370cc and could never see the oil in the window without leaning it over.

I went to an ACU training day today for National CofC and Stewards, run by John Collins. I've not met John before, but he was a breath of fresh air. The ACU get a good slagging whenever the opportunity arises (sometimes unfairly), so I thought I'd try and balance the books a little. Probably the first person I've met from the ACU who I would be happy to have represent me at any ACU meeting. It's good to know that someone with such a grip of reality is involved at the higher levels within the ACU. This is not to say that others aren't, but if you believed any of the negative press that the ACU receive, you may develop a tainted view. Good little days course anyway if anybody is considering it.