End Of An Era?

[gizza5]

For those of you who know me and for those of you who don't I have competed in the SSDT.........24 times???

Did I put my entry in for 2008........................No however I did fill it out twice it was touch and go whether I should ride again

Over the last few years I have been thinking, maybe I should call it a day, yes I am getting older and find each year tougher (not as tough as the 90's), but there were several other reasons for me not entering.

Now I know some of you like reading stories so I will tell you a bit about my 24 years!!

Back in 1983 I had just finised my basic training for Her Majestys Armed Forces, being quite a competent skier I got posted to one of the Regiments in Germany to represent them in ski-ing competitions mainly in Southern Germany. I arrived in the Febuary all the skiers were away and the end of the ski season was nearly there so the decision was made to leave me in camp and go away with them the following winter.

On my first few weeks in camp I stumbled across the bike bay mainly full of Moto-x and Enduro bikes, but there was a Fantic 200 and a couple of Ossa's. The guy that owned the Fantic (Bill Buckley-11 times Army Motorcycle Champion) having introduced myself took me under his wing and as it happened the Ossa's happened to be the Regiments bikes so I comandeered one of these to ride on until I got my Bultaco from the Uk.

Bill competed in his first SSDT in 1982 and had been selected again to ride in 1983, it was now begining of April and checking the mail one morning (this was the highlight of the day as at 17 being so far away from home was quite daunting at times). No mail from family, but entry form for the SSDT????? raced to see Bill to ask him what it was all about, after a few enquiries it seemed that someone could not ride and I had been selected

Now the first few minutes went from great I have been selected to ride for the Army to S**t I am riding one of the hardest events in the world, with a few weeks to get ready. Now just out of basic training I was fit, so that would not be a problem so I thought.................................

2 weeks training up at Catterick on Gandale, we were sponsered by Roy Carey and Fantic and we were given 4 brand spanking new 200's, boy was this little bike so much better than the Bultaco. Now bike preperation in those days consisted of 1-2 days getting the bike ready then 3 days to make your riding numbers

Yes we had to make plates for the front and both sides at the rear, painted black background with yellow numbers (Rolf Harris would have been proud of us), front was no real problem but the sides were a work of art, forming round the exhaust and making strong enough brackets to support them so they didn't come winging off on the first trip on the rough.

Now we arrived at our Guest house at the back of Fort Bill and did all the necessary until Monday morning arrived!! now being the new boy I thought I would yeald the experience of Bill and make sure I was prepared ready for the off, after our compulsary 2 nervous Sh***s (sorry too much information) he had worked out our start times and we set off walking down to the West end Car Park.

Well I looked a right Fashion Statement in my new riding gear and new boots (never done that again, with the new boots) after spending more than I earned in the Park Ferme on the Sunday, we set off walking. Bill decided to do a bit of shopping for postcards, maybe it was his way of getting rid of the nerves, me I was in tow only thinking I just hope my bike starts! after visiting several card shops we arrived at the West End Roundabout to see number 224 going round it...................Bill was 214 oops! Poscards up in the air and Bill started running, helmet on, Bum Bag on, this is the guy that I was meant to be learning from? Look would have it His bike started and he was off about 15 Minutes late. Now if I wasn't nervous already that little stunt had tipped me over, I didn't think my Bladder! could hold so much fluid!!!!!

My bike started first prod and I had Chris Sutton right in front of me so I was to shadow him all week, so off we set down to Kinlockleven to take in Garbb Bheinn, Cameron Hill up Glencoe to Chairlift and Ba House.

Your first year is so very special, it was also Mark Whitham's first year (Current Clerk of the Course) and yes I did finnish, but I thought I was fit well the SSDT finds Muscles that you don't know you have and it took me a week to recover.

I represented the Army for a further 3 years 84(Fantic 200), then in 1985 the Army had signed a deal with Alan Clews of CCM who had renamed to Armstrong, he had designed a military motorcycle for the Army, so we had to ride the Armstrong trials bikes, so in 1985 we rode the 350c.c twin shocked Armstrong with the Jumbo Rotax motor out of the SWM in it. This bike disintegrated on me throughout the week, but still managed to finnish, in 1986 we had the first Mono-shock 280cc rotax Armstong (John Lampkin had just signed for them and also rode one) not a bad bike, but by this time there were far better bikes on the market.

By this time I was back in the UK training the SAS (Special Air Service) to ride motorcycles, I could go into great detail, but I would have to Kill You it was time to leave the Army............but not the SSDT and I have ridden every year since

I could write loads about the SSDT and my experiences up there, for me it is the best trial by a long, long way in the world. It has gone through some tough times and has got to where it is now, through the hard work of a lot of people, but one does need mentioning it's that ''Miserable Bugger up there in the Clouds'' he took the bold step to revert the trial back to no-stop and gear it more towards the clubman rider and the result being 400+ entries land on the desk now!!!

I am sure if he looking down he would be proud of the way the trial is continueing now, Mark will I know with his band of willing helpers continue in this way and if anything tweak it to make it better, as for the 400+ entries well although Maira has problems every year trying to please everyone, she seems to sort it out better than in the 90's when Jim McColm was phoning round to try and get people to ride to make the trial viable(167 riders one year???)

So where for me now as the sub-title says ''for now anyway'', in 2011 it is the Centenary Trial and if I am fit and able I will be giving it one more go to make it my 25th, in the meantime....................

For you first timers, its tougher than you think, but you will enjoy it and you will want to come back...........

For the regulars that I have ridden with over the last 24 years, keep going.................

The observers, who stand out there for 10 hours, top men and women ( and thanks for all those dodgy 3's)........

Last but not least everyone who has anything to organise this event, and long may it continue......................

I am coming to the SSDT, on my BMW as I have always fancied taking a big road bike on some of them roads

For those that have put an entry in, it is a waiting game and you will know soon, then you have 4-5months to get ready, or you could just leave it until 2 weeks before

Good luck to each and every one of you, I have spoken to Mark and told him that I won't feel too good on the Monday when everyone is setting off, he said what I am feeling now will be 10 times worse on the Monday when I am there

The SSDT has been a massive part of my life, and I have had the privalage of riding and meeting some of the best guys in our sport

See you in May.................................and lets see what happens in 2011

[atomant]

Thanks for sharing that with us Gizza5. I certainly found it very interesting reading it.. now if you are going to write some memoirs, let us know

p.s. Not too sure what Big John will make of your comment about the 200 Fantic being so much better than the Bultaco though

Fantic MoToR

[tony283]

Gizza5,

Thanks for the "memories" .... I think you should get the "25". I was right behind you on your journalistic ride round the Highlands, and echo your sentiments ref the flavour of the event.

I had my 8 rides during the 70's, also in the military (different colour uniform) and could never wait for the first week of May!

Enjoyed your recollection of number plates! ..... some bikes were a nightmare to get anything on down the back.

I just opened a web site and have 3 SSDT stories on it and some teararsing trips round the Falklands that you may enjoy. Also 3 Beemer recants.

http://www.blackcatvintagetrials.com

Tony Down

[big john]

Gizza 5, I don't mind you saying the Fantic 200 was better than a Bultaco, good little bike, never had one myself but had a go on one or two!

Great story, heard some of it from you before of course, but more than happy to hear some again!

It's a matter of choice and I think calling it a day is the time honored thing to do, a very good innings 24 or so, very well done indeed.

As for going up there, I would suggest a man of your experience would be much better utilised as an Observer, one of those indespensible souls who keep the event running (without them there would be no SSDT!)

Think about it, the trial is good to watch, but as a competitor I think you might get fed up standing at the side-lines, I'm sure there would be a berth on the observers bench for you!

Big John

(see you up there anyway mate!)

[outlaw dave]

Thanks for taking the time to post that Gizza - Great stuff - Also to Tony Down for the link to his site His very well written and funny accounts of riding in the Falklands had me in stitches.

[bikespace]

Interesting read Gizza 5. I wish I'd made more of an effort to get in to the trials scene when I joined up. Not sure from your memoirs whether you were actually Signals? REME maybe? I met Bill Buckley a few times and had the odd chat with him. During my recruit troop I got a call up for the Signals Enduro team at Catterick, but it turned up a bit clicky. Three 250 Maico's and a 500 Maico, they dumped me on the beast at 17 year old. Happy just to be there I had a go and managed a win down in Borden (can't remember name of the event). After that it all died down. There was a Major Cole in charge at that time (end of 86) who was really keen, but a sprog lieutenant took over and the money dried up.

I got posted out to Germany primarily for the Enduro team out there, but it turned out to be more of a bike club where blokes took lasses out on the field for a spin - I was gutted.

I did a few events on my own bike - I think that's when I met Bill (somewhere near Hull on a big vehicle training area - Driffield?). I destroyed my 301 Fantic there but thoroughly enjoyed it.

I'm sure if I'd made enough of an effort to speak to the right people I could have managed to get more riding in, I wasn't aware there was as much going on as I later found out.

Makes me jealous as hell when I see the Forces teams competing there but it really is great that they're still managing it.

[slapshot 3]

...and so much more eloquently put than a certain cold, wet Friday morning in May at WD's.

Have to admit Mark, I wondered if you couldn't send an entry in, after all these years maybe the habit wouldn't die. I hope that in 2008 with you not riding we might get that pint or two

Donald

[hillary]

Mark, we spoke recently and I thought that you would make this coming year your last, but if that's not to be, then be assured that you will really enjoy the week spectating. There is one big problem with riding - you see nothing except what is happening with the 20 or so riders around you. Go spectating and you can talk for ages with loads of folk that will know you, you get to see several sections each day and you can be a real expert, advising others on the lines etc, etc. You'll love it. Perhaps we can even spend a day together and I can bore you to death with my tales from years past - perhaps not, I'll be busy snatching pictures. I know that you think not riding will be dreadful, but that's not the case, you'll really enjoy spectating, trust me, I'm a blind man!

[munch]

i must have observed you for 10 years, but do i know you?

Edited December 2, 2007 by munch

[sectiononecleaner]

gizza great read, you must be sick of haggis. When's the book coming out then, could just see you there posing with the cleanest bike around a set of bag pipes and a kilt on front cover. Live the dream. Tomo

[gizza5]

Not too clever at posting pictures so if this one works I will post some more.

Don't laugh at the hair ''It was fashion in 1986 or so I was told''

1986 was the year, first prot-type monoshck Armstrong's

[big john]

You haven't changed a bit Mark!

Big John

[bikespace]

Only just realised who you are. Not sure if I rode with you in East Yorks as a youth, in the Army or both, but I know I've seen you round a few of the Shropshire/Mid Wales/Novogar trials over the past couple of years.

[timp]

Gizza5 There's still time you know. 1st class post will sort it. You know it makes sense

I've only just sent mine in.

Has Sandy and your brother entered?

[Andy]

You haven't changed a bit Mark!

Apart from all the pies