wizardofos

Intotrials is right. Some parts of the bike can still be moving forward whilst the wheels are momentarily stationary. Try holding the front brake on in the garage, press down on the bars, and the body of the bike moves forwards. Rotation of the front wheel would not work if that became the criteria - it could easily stop turning when clear of the ground, attacking a step, for example. Every time the referee blows the whistle at a football match there are contrary opinions as to whether the decision was good. Observers are instructed to be consistent at the pre-SSDT briefing. However, they, like football referees will all see things with a slightly different pair of eyes, so consistency between observers (referees etc) is more difficult to achieve. Regarding an earlier point about not revealing your scores when asked - this is impossible because the rider (or a friend) simply looks over your shoulder when you are writing the next score down. Regarding another earlier point, rearranging sections is not on. It's the same people all the time, so at least you know when to be on high alert!

A couple of points: Many, many riders ask for a 5. I have observed sections where up to 100 have done this. When a rider has a bona fide attempt and gets through this section (or any other), with what "knowledgeable spectators" might consider to be a momentary pause, they are going to get the benefit of the doubt from me. I therefore extend the same basis of judgement to all competitors. I have observed other sections where, with what "knowledgeable spectators" might consider to be a momentary pause, I would have recorded 260+ fives. When riding myself ('84 to '98), my daily score was always a bit less than I expected, so there's nothing new in this. It's the spirit of the Scottish. As an observer every year since, the only thing I dread is being given a section with lots of "knowledgeable spectators". The riders know what its about.

Thanks for the information! I didn't expect to find out so quickly.

I have been given a pewter tankard, found at a car boot sale, bearing the inscription: Scottish Six Days Trial 1949 Won by R.Clayton It has the usual "Haud Forrit" E+DMC logo. Can anyone shed a light on who R. Clayton was and what he won in 1949 (as I can see from the records that he was not the outright winner).

Bought a small item from them via ebay a month ago. It hasn't turned up. Both their email address and telephone number are unresponsive. Anyone know what's going on?