tordijarres

When I had my 4RT I ran out several times on Nationals whereas I never did in the same events on my Rev3, and that was the standard tank and engine mapping. The most gauling was the Scott when by the time I'd pushed the 2.5miles over moors (great fun) the 4th petrol check had closed but to be honest I was so shattered that I didn't really fancy going on anyway. I had finished in time the year before on the same bike but the going was a lot wetter this particular year. My advice is if you are a heavier rider and or the condiitons are especially wet on the moors is take an extra bottle in your back pack for one lap Nationals.

Does anyone know if BVM or anyone else, is planning a test day this coming season? I know Sherco and Montesa have done their own thing over the past few years, but I can't recall a Beta test day- may be wrong!

The retrictors are at the start of the front pipe, betwen the front pipe and the silencer, and at the tailpipe of the silencer. Don't take them out, we are losing enough land as it is without excessively noisy bikes. Please note that the stars don't have noisy bikes as they would fail statutory noise tests. At my local practice ground, we are only allowed to ride 4RTs if we have all restrictors in and use a WES silencer- as per Mick Andrews' decree.

...well, yes, that was the original point. I accept the SSDT has changed- that's sensible, because it costs a bl**dy fortune to enter and you'd be mighty tee'd off if you had to retire on day1 through mechanical failure. HOWEVER, I don't feel this issue is the same for The Scott, because this is a Time and Obs trial, so time saved (and energy), regarding punctures in particular, makes a very real difference to the result. Someone older and wiser will have to tell me whether wheel swaps were allowed in the "old days"- eg when Mart and Rathmell were riding, I reckon not....

To Cota Kid, I haven't stated in any of my postings that someone changed a whole bike (this year). The point is they have a spare bike in the van from which they can take parts to replace any broken ones. No system would be perfect but perhaps some wheel hub tags as per SSDT (in the old days) may be beneficial.It's really just food for thought, we may decide we are all happy with the staus quo, but IMO swapping wheels isn't on.

The point about "spare bike" was that it has, allegedly been deployed in the past (Jarvis- was excluded). In terms of traffic, well if it stated in the regs that anybody connected to any rider seen flouting such signs would invoke exclusion of said rider, I think we could safely say it would stop- although it may take one such exclusion to show folk it wasn't an idle threat. Of course everyone helps with lines- that's an accepted part of the trial. What I'm talking about is using spares which the rider isn't carrying- like wheels/handlebars etc. Now one could argue that if the top guys didn't have access to such, to which they are accustomed, they may not show, but as long as it's the same rule for all, then I don't think that would happen, AND it may stop them riding so fast, giving us mortals more of a chance of finishing in time- result! Maybe Perce could be the roving traffic warden. issuing yellow and red cards!!!!

I may have missed something, but i thought that outside assistance wasn't allowed at the Scott? Hence why do Dibs' and Shirty's reports both openly talk about changing wheels? Mr Jarvis was excluded a few years ago for an alleged bike swap. Whilst we're on the subject, my wife and my Mum walked the 1/2 mile or so along with our 3 kids (2 of whom pre-school) to see me at the final petrol check, where I am told there were multiple signs up stating "no vehicular access", so imagine their surprise to find a whole host of factory vans at said petrol check...presumably awaiting with fresh bikes/wheels to save the riders the bother of having to change front wheel punctures etc. With all the furore about F+M, this was rather irresponsible and selfish.

A few observatiuons on the above and additional ponderings: I think Rob Crawford won it first time out (may be wrong??)- ie best first timer MIghty Atom- great rider but when he rode in 2005 he was absolutely sha

The result: Jarvis Lampkin Braybrook Dibs Austermuhle er, can I have my medal now?

..and don't forget Dibs- wasn't too far behind when he last rode. I still reckon the bookies would favour Jarvis. With the overall win between these 4, will someone else go balls out for fastest time and sod the observation score? I'm thinking e.g. Ian Austermuhle, a past standard time setter....

Great news Dougie is to ride the Scott again, and this time Jarvis will be able to "use the force" of the 4-stroke. Also let us watch out for a side bet on Mr Braybrook- was awfully close last year...

I wonder if Gabby Whitham's is the tricked-out version of the Hit3 50 (disc brakes, more powerful engine, more money etc) , or the standard one? I was a bit put off by the fact the rear brake is handlebar lever-operated rather than foot-pedal as on the other 50s.

Many thanks Telecat, I will be in touch with them. Still looking for any feedback from any owners (or their parents!)

I've searched the forums and seen mentions of the Clipic bikes. Even saw some footage of one on Yoo Tube. However Googling it only leads to dead links in the Uk and the official Clipic website doesn't seem to have any links to importers. I'd be grateful for anyone's advice on how they've found the 50cc, and how much it cost. The Sherco 50 is also in the running but at

Unfortunately I didn't finish this trial as incurred a large slit in the tyre attempting the step at the end of the 1st loop- and tyre came off the rim. Only one person at the whole event had a "beader" as I call them, but then my brother had the dog turds...and Dad was spectating in the car which had our foot pump in.... Anyway, point of the post is to say thanks to Rod Nichols who leant me the beader and helped me try and get back on the road. I'm also trying to trace another rider in a van opposite the back of his, who leant me a foot pump, which unfortunately broke whilst someone was giving it some hammer whilst we tried to get the tyre on the rim. I left a note tucked into the van door handle, with my contact detils, and have bought a new pump ready to post out, but he hasn't been in touch- let me know your name and I will send it on! When my bro caught up with dad, and he returned, we did get the tyre back on the rim, but by then it was approaching 4pm..too late to re-join the fray. Oh well, for 2 years on the trot have only completed the first loop of the Bemrose- there's always next year..