micm

I tried Chris's bike up some decent climbs after a BTC round and it goes very well. I am sure there are places you could use them where petrol bikes would be a no no. And no, I don't think they are mutually exclusive. I just wish they were a bit cheaper.

It's the next big thing! Look out for the road test.

Integrated light industrial design with a smattering of cool graphics and other smarts has never been the forte of the UK. If enough money is flying about like in F1 we can do it, otherwise it all ends up a bit Wallace and Gromit. On the other hand, maybe the trials world is ready for a 'steam punk' style bike!

My sympathies Chris and the company.

How about a Sherco, Montesa, Jotagas, Beta, Vertigo and that other new one - I forget what it's called. That's a lot of manufacturers, let alone a re-floated GG Version 2 and Ossa. Basically I think they are all great (mostly), but I can only afford one at a time!

Yes Hook Woods either lap 1 or 2. A fantastic ride by a master and I found it stunning to watch in the flesh. But, he does seem to pause for a second or two several times on the way up when he changes direction.

Which makes you think, why don't we hold the british world round at a venue like this? 1988!

"All that being said, I was talking with Steve Saunders at the top of section 6, he was a bit miffed as the section had been stiffened up by the club since he had set it out last week." The sections were inspected by the importers last Friday in my presence. They walked the whole course and climbed every section including numbers 5 and 6. They made suggestions for altering each section which were acted upon. They said their general aim was to ensure that all the rounds of the BTC were at the same level of hardness across the whole country as organisers sometimes either made them too hard or too easy. These gentlemen all had northern accents. In East Hampshire and West Sussex we have big hills and giant beech trees. The beech trees have sinuous roots that are everywhere close to the surface, polished just waiting for the unsteady rider. The average section can rise maybe 50, 75 even a 100 feet no problem and often have a downhill to match the up. Even novice riders often ride 300s as there is nothing bigger and probably will be familiar with 4th gear in a section. The Butser trial was not really much harder than to local riders than an A route on a Bognor MCC or South Coast Group trial and maybe a tad easier than the Alton MCC Selborne Solo can be, especially in the wet. One local village where we set events is called 'Steep' and it is. I could see the best riders learning to deal with these sections as the trial progressed and watching Alexz Wigg clean number 10 on his last lap was a pleasure indeed, likewise Jorge Casales on section 12. I suggest that if the BTC is 'British' then it should represent all the geographical character of this country in its abundant variety. Regards Sporting Agent Butser Limeworks

I think his physique helps a little bit as well.

Welcome, and the very best of luck to you both. Waltham Chase MCC is an excellent club. Sections at Hut Hill due to the nature of the ground can be tight and the club still follows the 'Stop' rule. They are an ACU club so you will need a suitable registration which they can sort out for you both. Have a good time!

The Lucketts at Lower Femsworthy Farm have a nice cottage to rent, there're friendly folk, quite varied sections tho' some well used, a river, mostly imported rocks (I believe) some steep climbs and mud! Very scenic area, so OK for non combatants too.

Well done, something a bit more difficult to guess. Same title theme, another cover, the 80s and from the US of A. Name of album?

Something to take your mind off all those engine queries for a moment. Which 1970s album title name checks the basic principle of trials? Here's a bit of the cover as a clue. Could it be Jeff Smith!

Sounds as though you are describing a standard Gasser kickstart mechanism.

Wife won't let you out to ride over Xmas. Got to entertain the kids - or worse, kids you've got to entertain Dad! Cooler than a Verigo, lighter than Toni Bou's Montesa and quieter than an Oset. Link...

Here you go Don's kit, all with a lovely 2000E and Malc Rathmell had a Mk 1 Granada with a similar rig I think.

Dougie and the snow hotel video got coverage in the UK Daily Mail recently... http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-2873579/Tyre-ice-English-motorcycle-legend-pops-wheelies-snowy-wilderness-rides-underground-ice-lair-mesmerising-video.html

I think the editors of a famous Spanish trials website, covering the recent FIM Jamboree in Jerez, need a couple of essential lessons in English grammar!

The Gasser will be much more sensitive to almost any input you care to mention. Try other makes.

"How do electric trials bikes fair in this argument with the landowner about noise and pollution?" They don't. Not for grown ups anyway. There are considerably more Unicorns here in Hampshire (UK) than electric TBs. ​There is a mathematical formula for calculating the number electric bikes in any given location. Gas Gas TXT Electric @ £8500 or EM @ £6250 = None

1975? There's a rider wearing the then cutting edge TT Leathers suit. A two tone plastic riding outfit, a lightweight version of the trad belstaff/barbour kit, green maybe with white/light sleeves. TTL also did an all silver ensemble, very Blake's 7! Is the venue, Hungry Hill?

Hola, While we are on the subject is Toni Bou - Toni Boo or Toni Bow ? And is the commentator on Trials TV correct when he says Alber Cabestan not Albert Cabestany ? Catalan pronunciation perhaps ?

phb... I have learnt to stay away from the politics or any committee positions as thats when it goes bad for me. Too many arguments... usually with fools who can't see the big picture or are on power trips. Fools etc...Or to describe them another way, the people who are prepared to organise all the events in Oz and everywhere else. Thanks.

That's the rumour, all 'Racings.'

It is a bit of a knack. I was warned by the UK importers themselves when I bought my 300 new that they were not easy to start. But you can learn how to do it. Get the engine and kick-start to the best (highest) engagement position and...a good hefty kick, easier if you are up on the pegs. If you kick at the kickstart without engaging it with your foot first you may chip the cogs. That's about £150 for the two, and as noted above one is only a quadrant anyway. There is a demo short video on You Tube somewhere by an American guy.