May 14, 201511 yr So just got the entry list for the Sam Cooper trial, and all I can say is "where have all the big bike gone?" I counted 4 out of an entry of 76. How come 2 out of the top 3 in the Pre 65 Scottish were Ariels and you always get a big turn out at the Talmag, do these bikes get wrapped up in cotton wool for the rest of the year?
May 14, 201511 yr Maybe when the ACU sort out class 2 of the Miller series,(Why they couldn't do it this year,and why it was ever made like it I don't understand...) more proper bikes will take part. I wont be there,getting over manful and having overseas visitations are my excuses for not boosting numbers in the rigid class. Edited May 14, 201511 yr by jon v8
May 14, 201511 yr 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?
May 14, 201511 yr Hi Guy's. I just can not believe, what I have just read above???? Why Ho Why has this situation come to this?? This is probably one of the Best BRITISH Bike trials in the calendar , and in my mind the best, but I would say that. All of my nonsense with the "Super Cub Trials" is, and was, only because I thought that there was a need. You know at heart I am a "Big Brit Bike" Guy, and want to promote the need to get these bikes back out competing more than most. If this Major Trial has got to this situation, where do we go from here??? You tell me. Pete you were at the "Colmore revisitation", did we not all enjoy that day? so where has the passion for this type of event gone, and we know the Sam Cooper is very much linked to that event. Perhaps the "Sam Trials" should now only cater for "Twinshocks"? and the "Union Jack" "Sam Cooper" trial should again only be run for "Big Four Strokes"? I would be in! Put your hands up who would agree. Regards Charlie.
May 15, 201511 yr Hi Guy's. One of the competitors at the Sam Cooper trial, Will be prouder than most, and keeping up the "Spirit" of the Big British bike Tradition with this trial. Jon has built himself a Triumph 5TA engined bike from the ground up. you can read his story on the "Otter" site. "The Triumph of a Ground Up Build". Not only is Jon chuffed to bits with his "Otter" build, but has gone one further by having headstock badges and rugby shirts printed to encourage more people to build a Proper British Trials bike, with the simplicity of the "Otter" frame design. Good luck mate with your ride on Sunday, worth going to the trial just to hear the Triumph "Otter" Growl. Regards Charlie.
May 17, 201511 yr Just look in the up coming events on the front page and then work out where all the pre 65 bikes have gone. We have a championship round in the south eastern centre in a couple of weekends time and it clashes with both the Sammy miller and the new national twinshock championship series, but both of these apparently issued their dates after the S.E. club had committed at our centres dates meeting ! Perhaps we are just lucky and have too much choice.
May 18, 201511 yr Author Good ride round yesterday, some very interesting sections especially for the rigids. Mr Miller rode the Ariel and gave it his seal of approval, also gave me some interesting tips, mechanical not riding :-( Had a very interesting section through a bog, just a gentle 2nd gear plod for the Ariel. Need to sort out some over heating issues the bike not me, also managed to bend the fat bars with a spectacular off on section 6.
May 21, 201511 yr I enjoyed my second ever ride in this amazing trial last weekend, the scenery, off road trails and organization are second to none. The start was at a very civilized Cotswold farm shop and cafe with plenty of level hard standing, toilets and complimentary bacon bun and coffee. With a well signed route of around 35 miles(?), experienced and friendly observers and perfect weather all the ingredients of a good trial were there. I'm not experienced of riding "big" bikes but would have considered that all but a couple of nadgery sections were ideal for them so I think the section plotters got it spot on. Indeed it was the big bike sections and those nadgery bits that that took my marks. The "interesting" bog section that Wallo mentions proved a bit more of a challenge for later runners after the sidecar drivers had enjoyed their somewhat more than gentle plod through The Stratford Club deserve well earned praise.
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.