Aw heck lads, give me a break, I have mentioned the Bash on the Ben, which as far as I'm concerned covers everything that's part of the function. You try remembering everything.
We can't really have twinshocks as those that rode would have an unfair advantage over those that didn't ride but would be taking part on Sunday. Many of the sections for the sidecars, whilst suitable for Pre 75 bikes, would be too easy for twinshocks.
Yes Woody, the sidecar trial on Saturday has a class for Pre 75 bikes which will run at the front of the sidecar entry over the Clubman sidecar course, absolutely spot on for them!
As for going to San Marino or Torver, there's no comparison - it's Torver every time.
The first set of pictures are correctly captioned - I should know as I wrote them in the first place. The rear view picture is of Gadsby and Gaunt again. For the record, Colin Dommett's passenger is Eric Chamberlain - not Ian.
Incidentally, I spoke with Henry Gaunt (Geoff Gadsby's passenger) at the Alan Wright classic show a few weeks ago. He's involved with the Dales Classic Club now and was very happy to chat over old times.
I never know in advance what my column will produce by way of comments. This one certainly has started something.
By the way Pete, didn't recognise you observing first Hawks Nest section - close to knackered then after our Traditional Trial the day before and then the Bemrose, not to mention doing the results for 151 riders Saturday evening.
The reason we took a small number of guest riders was to ensure that the sections had been ridden by at least five riders before those in the Traditional Trials Championship classes arrived to ensure they weren't offered totally virgin sections. The guest riders were told they had to stay at the front for at least the first ten sections - after section 11 they would have already been ridden by the other half of the entry.
We have put a lot of thought into this event - the way the sections are designed, the way the course runs to make for easier access into the more remote sections, and by splitting the entry into odds to section one and evens to section 11, with everybody in the same class starting at the same section made it as fair as is possible.
And don't forget that what we are organising is a SPORT. Workdays are hassle enough, so we try to ensure that Sundays (or Saturdays in this case) are days where hassle is banned. Within reason, we will accept any number of entries because the course and the way we run the trial can cater for a large number. And it certainly seems to work as we got 148 (or whatever the total was) riders, round two laps of 20 sections, without any queues, all the route and section markers were cleared away and we had left the venue by 4.15pm. The riders say they enjoyed it, in fact everyone I spoke was raving about it and if there are any complaints, then do please contact me.
It doesn't happen by accident, it happens because we have clear-cut demarcation lines with everybody involved knowing their job and leaving other problems to someone else.
So let me end here with sincere thanks to the riders for their efforts in supporting us, and to the observers for turning out on a Saturday.
Let's get it right now, my head line "did they get it wrong" referred to the Scarborough Trial NOT the Milnthorpe.
The Milnthorpe was superb, run by local lads who know and live locally and understand the problems. In fact the route marking was in place all day long as far as I could tell, but was a bit sparse in places. Having ridden the Milnthorpe many times, I did have a fair idea of where we were going, but this year it was run in the opposite direction to past years and that threw us a bit. If you did get lost, there were enough riders to put you right and I doubt if anybody failed to finish because of the route marking, though a few did miss sections - but that's careless as flags led to all of them, even at thre back of the entry where I was.
I see that the Colin Dommet trial has attracted an entry of 52 solos for the Traditional round, but for those interested, Lancs County who have the following round just a week later have an entry of 158 so far with two days to go before entries close. A few are non-championship section scrubbers at the front.
Riders who supplied an e-mail address to Lancs County will get an e-mail with the trial details by mid-week and those who elected to send envelopes will have them posted no later than Wednesday morning. I would like to do it all a bit earlier but have a meeting both Monday and Tuesday night - the Monday meeting is with the Lakes MTA having their first meeting about the British Championship sidecar trial in the Lakes in July followed by the National Twin-shock team trial the following day. Tuesday's meeting is about piggin work!
I didn't think you were having a go at secretaries. As far as I'm concerned, the national has to be pre enter because of the logistics in doing a spread sheet for results and getting a programme out prior to the trial. We close exactly a week before and I try and get the entries done onto results sheet and progarmme as soon as Saturday's post has been, but then through tghe week there will be changes from folks who can't turn up and even those who have still to enter! Do I take their entries? Of course I do, but they get an early number.
I'm a great believer in remembering that this is our SPORT we are talking about. There is enough hassle through a working week without getting into arguments on Sundays (or Saturdays). I try to accommodate everybody's requirements and requests, but you can only do so much.
With regard to Sunday and Wednesday evening trials, all entries are taken on the day; knock out a results sheet on Sunday night (Thursday night), do the accounts Monday, trial over and done with.
Not sure what trial you are referring to but as secretary for next weekend's Angela Redford Trial, I bend over backwards to ensure that folks who want to ride, can do so. I appreciate that for many folks, knowing if they can have time off more than a week in advance is sometimes difficult, so we can take that into account.
Not half an hour ago I agreed to refund a rider's entry because he can't make it to our trial - it's no skin off my nose, and I like to think that because we go the extra mile for our riders by way of a decent set of sections, observers on every section, a decent goodie bag for observers plus their usual tin of M&S biscuits, is the reason we always get a good entry.
For what it's worth, Saturday's trial (March 13) has now topped 150 - far more than we expected in these financially difficult times.
We do close our entries a week in advance, but that's more so I can get the names typed onto my spread sheet for the results and to produce a couple of A4 sheets for the entry list and details of the trial.
What do I get out of it? Zilch, zero, nothing except for the fact for the past 47 years, secretaries around the country have been doing exactly the same for me, so that I can ride their trials. Lancs County have 13 trials a year and I'm secretary for all of them unless one clashes with a holiday. I do it because I want to and because I like to put something back into the sport that has kept me sane all my life. When I can't do it, then someone else will take over. Don't get me wrong, I'm no different to dozens of other club officials, most of whom have been doing the job for a lot longer than the ten years I have managed so far.
I trust you have noticed that the Colley picture is taken when the start was where Morrisons is now, or at least very close to there, can't actually remember what was being built, but it certainly wasn't at the West End Car Park.
Talking about Ron Langston, one of my earliest memories of trials is spectating in Butser Lime Works at the Hoad Trophies Trial as a kid when I was there with my dad.
The section in question was a fabulous long hill which the sidecars used to tackle by sweeping from side to side as they climbed. Few managed the feat, but I remember Ron and Doug attacking it at a speed that mesmerised me - i remember it vividly even though it must be close on 50 years ago.
In fact, I can feel a column coming on, the all encompassing memories of the past which would mean a lot to me but nothing to most of my readers, so perhaps not until I'm totally desperate for something to write about. Could be next week!
There is no scoreboard at Sheffield because it no longer works!
The Sheffield Arena is owned by the local authority and apparently "there is no budget to get it repaired".
That also explains why the concourse surrounding the arena was cleared of snow (for health and safety reasons) but not the car park, and why no cars were allowed onto the car park.
Just looked at the link to the Villiers document - what a fabulous piece of work. Even though I have limited interest in Villiers, to know that such a document is readily available, must be a godsend to those that do want to know.
Been in Halfords today and a new version of a Garmin Sat Nav has just been introduced.
As well as all the normal uses, apparently there is a trials riders setting, but of course you'll need a motorcycle clamp to fix it to your bike. It recognises the Begins and Ends cards of each section and a voice will say "enter section over rock; in two metres take right over three tree roots; in five metres sharp left downhill over rock ledge; take tight right hand turn up slippery climb to Ends cards - or whatever is required for the section in question.
I haven't tried it yet, but I reckon it could be the bizz. Still got to keep my feet up in the sections though!
Before I lash out for one, has anybody out there got one and tried it yet.
Big John, Haven't got round to understanding all the Scottish trials routes, but no doubt you'll put me right when I come up to do the Ian Pollock in a few weeks. Happy New Year to you and indeed everybody else on this site.
It has always been red to the right and blue to the left - for the past thousand years or so. Road route marking has always been the same, blue card with a L on it for left turn, red card with a R on it for right turn and a white card with a SO on it for straight on.
Route variations for other courses are usually down to clubs, but either a pair of whites or a pair of yellows or one of each is probably the best.
The best section marking stakes are made from window fitters 25mm D strip - it's what they use to cover up plaster damage when they've fitted new windows. The cost is around
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Week 174 - Getting Excited Now!
in Centrally Speaking
Posted · Edited by Hillary
Aw heck lads, give me a break, I have mentioned the Bash on the Ben, which as far as I'm concerned covers everything that's part of the function. You try remembering everything.