pete_scorpa3

The Stratford upon Avon MCC is proud to announce a new look for the Sam Cooper Union Jack Classic Trial to be held on 25th June 2017. This year the trial will start at the College Arms, Lower Quinton, Stratford upon Avon, CV37 8SH. The trial is open to solo Pre 65, Rigid, and Twinshock machines, but will also accept entries on trail bikes. There will be two routes: A – hard route for expert riders B – an easier route suitable for big bikes and Rigid machines There will be an intermediate route too for Clubman riders comprising the harder of the B route and the easier of the A route. This year’s trial will be approximately 24 miles in distance running through the stunning Cotswold countryside with 10 groups and 30 sections. The entry fee will be £25 which will include a bacon sandwich and a cup of tea or coffee at the start. Please feel free to contact Gerry Minshall on 07889 495178 if you require more information.

A Message from the Colmore Cup Clerk of the Course. The 2017 Colmore Cup Trial S3 is now very much alive and well! After multiple setbacks over the last 2 months the Stratford Upon Avon clubs February 12th spectacular now has a new start venue and some brilliant new land. Everything had been falling apart after the losses of DovedaleWoods and Saintbury Quarry, both of which had been used in many midland centre events for over half a century.Then out of the blue new land in the Chipping Campden area changed hands and the new owners were quickly persuaded by the sweet talking Stratford boys that a few bikes over it would do no harm at all . Then there was the starting venue issue. The usual seven mile long run from Shipston on Stour to Opening group Meon Hill had long been an issue, but now with the new start venue secured at the College Arms Pub at Quinton it's under a mile to the incomparably steep delights of Meon! That's after the riders have fitted in the Bacon roll included in the entry fee, also provided to the 76 observers. Yes 76, because it's 2 per section to keep the trial continually rolling along and avoid punch card delays. So the course has now been reduced from 33 miles to 23 miles and with 14 groups rather than last years 9. Whats more, this year there is a firm resolve to keep the clubmans route easier than usual although riders should still expect huge climbs and lots of mud. So go to the ACU website to complete the entry form or contact John Cart if you would like to observe on 01789-551643. Alan Newman Clerk of the Course.

Its all change for the Sam Cooper Union Jack trial on May 29th, round 3 of the Sammy Miller series. In come 7 new groups , Ians Bank, Brundells, Gadsbys Bank, Shenborough Quarry ,Saddlers, Top Farm and Top of the World in an extended ride round the Cotswold lanes above picturesque Broadway. Shenborough a disused Cotswold Quarry but devoid of big rock steps while Saddlers has long stream bed, unused for 5 years will be the venue for the trials special test to decide tiebreaks. There are 3 routes , Experts , Clubmen and sidecars with the rigid solos having the option to tackle the clubman or sidecar deviations. Riders congregate at the Cotswold Foodstore and Café on the A424 at Longborough (GL56 0QZ)near Moreton in Marsh at 9.30 am, where complimentary tea and a bacon sandwich provide sustenance for the run to half distance at Top Farm where another cup of tea and a cake are on the menu! It's a 14 group fiesta that saw last years winner Ian Peberdy go round clean on a beautiful summers day. To take part in this years action or to assist the organising Stratford on Avon club in observing phone Fredina Minshall on 07887 990532. Entries close on 22nd May.

http://youtu.be/JZlaPC-nFrU

Chain alignment is crucial on my 16. If the wheel is slighty out of line, the chain keeps coming off.

The start of the 2015 Sam Cooper Union Jack Trial.

This certainly is an emotive subject. As mentioned elsewhere on TC, the original concept of the Sam Cooper Union Jack trial was, to give riders of British bikes (hence Union Jack) an event suitable for their machines around a scenic single lap course on the Costwold Hills. Readers will have their own views on why things have changed, but for what ever reason, the entry for this years event seems to have attracted less large British bikes than ever before and more bikes in the twin shock class. Due to the nature of the machines entered, the course has been shortened and the sections tightened. (No one wants the top ten riders to finish on zero with the whole event decided on the special test!) This of course has a knock-on effect of alienating even more riders on larger machines. The club would love to return to the original concept for the Union Jack, but would a trial with wide, long traditional sections around a 60 mile lap be financially viable?

Regs are available for the Sam Cooper Union Jack round of the Sammy Miller Classic series from the Stratford-Upon-Avon MCC webs site. http://www.stratford-upon-avonmcc.org.uk/ Riders of specials, trail bikes, aircooled monos and even modern machines are most welcome to enter in the non championship class. The route covers 30 sections around a 26 mile route on the Cotswold Hills above the Vale of Evesham and has a new start venue at the Cotswold Farm shop and Cafe. Pete

There are many trials thatcater for trail bikes, a Pampera is very competitive in that class! :-)

Ideal event for those thinking of entering their first trial!

The Sam Cooper Union Jack Trial. Entries are now available for the second round of the Sammy Miller championship on 17th May. The trial is being staged by the Stratford-Upon-Avon Club and includes a brand new start venue at the Cotswold Farmshop & Cafe near Moreton in Marsh, it will cover a 26 mile single lap on the road with two routes. The trial caters for all classic classes including sidecars, plus a non championship class for trail bikes, aircooled monos and even modern machines. The B route will be suitable for all sidecars. The owners of the Cotswold Farm shop are keen to promote the use of their location for road trials and will be providing every rider with a bacon bap at the start. For more information contact the clerk of the course John Cart 07889 477292 2015-05-17_rg_v1(1).pdf 2015-05-17_ef_v1(1).pdf

Well that's a convenient excuse for not helping organise trials if I ever heard one. We can all think of a reason for letting someone else do all the work if we try hard enough. Thank goodness we have the OAP's who are prepared to spend their time helping to run our sport but believe me, there are plenty of younger people who do a hell of a lot too. People with young families and 6am starts are involved!!!!

Cotswold Yamaha TY250 twin shock fitted with an XT350 engine. I remember this bike on display in the shop at Gloucester in 1982/3 and is now owned by Stratford Club member Dave Moy.

Same spot at Kineton Ford almost 80 years later.

Fantastic. Yes that's the climb we all called the sandbank. Remember that very well indeed, went up there dozens of times back in the early 80's. I was in Hancocks Wood last weekend overlooking that very spot. Sadly just where this picture was taken is now a verticle rock face.

Yes I remember riding sections in the old Chips Quarry at Fish Hill. Sadly for us, that quarry has been back in full use over the past 15 years or so and is now nothing more than a giant hole inthe gournd with verticle sides to the edge. Next time you are in Hancocks Wood, take a look over the edge into Chips Quarry, you will see what I mean, but don't get too close!

It will have two routes (standard and easy/sidecar)and start at Downs Farm near Bourton-on-the-Hill. I went out on Sunday and can get it down to about 15 miles and visiting one lap of 30 sections at eight different groups. That is the shortest I can do. How does that sound? Or is that too short? At the moment I can make the trial any distance between 15 and 75 miles. Pete

I am starting to plan our round of the Sammy Miller Classic Bike Championship and wondered if any riders had a view on how far the trial should ideally travel on the road. We can visit groups of sections used in the National Colmore Cup or even sections used in the 75 mile OK Supreme LDT, or anything in between. What distance is likely to attract the most classic entrants? Pete

There was a time when BVM sold more trials bikes than any other shop in the UK in addition to being a BMW dealer. If they are finding it too hard to continue then things are grim. I've bought numerous new bikes from them over the past 20 years (too many if I am honest,) it will be strange not having them there. Thank you Mark Kemp and all at BVM, good luck for the future. Pete

I think I'd start onthe easier route if I was you. You may have the skill to ride the harder route, but choosing the easier option will allow you to concentrate on the markers more and probably have a better ride. It's really frustrating to lose marks for going the wrong way. If you find it too easy, you know which route to ride next time. Most importantly, have a great time! Let us know how you get on. Pete

So time limits make it simple? The simplest solution is..... don't stop or it's a failure.

They are both good bikes, I've never ridden the earlier Scorpa but had a number of Techno's back inthe 90's and they never let me down. As mentioned above, parts supply is important. Beta sold far more bikes than Scorpa. One other tip is to make sure you buy by condition. A rough but cheap trials bike can end up costing you more than buying a good one inthe first place. For example, worn suspension bushes/bearings/seals might be overlooked as inexpensive items, but mulitply the cost by ten sets and it soon adds up.

Nice one, and in no way a wind up! Light fuse, sit back and wait for the exposion.......

It wasn't that bad, when it was running that is.