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What a fantastic Autumn day in the Valley on Wednesday, and we made the most of it by heading over to the Westside for a ride with Roy & Andrew. - It was much cooler and definitely  a day for a warm Wulf Trials Jacket, but not a trace of snow anywhere out on the trails, now covered in leaves, very colorful.

Before we set off, I gave both Roy & Andrew a copy of the latest MC Mojo Mag - and here is Roy taking a quick  peek before we leave.

As usual, we ended up at Two Chair Ridge for lunch, and we could certainly feel the cool breeze coming off Okanagan Lake , so  we didn’t hang around too long, before heading back down into the Valley - exploring more trails and now have a very good idea where they all “hook-up”.

I remembered to put my woolly Wulf Toque in my Backpak - as I figured it would be cold up on the ridge where we always stop for lunch - plus the Welsh  “Neck warmer” worked a treat ( Thanks Taff)

We stopped off at our Gully section, and Andrew rode it a few times, with a few cleans and a few fives!!  - after that I took Andrew up through to the other side of the ridge, where we did some more exploring  - here is a pic I took of Andrew trying a fairly big log. -( Hard to see in this shot) But you can see the beautiful view,  now all  in  gorgeous yellow and gold.

Although in this pic it appears as though you could ride up that track from the valley - there  is a large steep, heavily bushed  area which is pretty much impassable at the moment, so we have to cut across from the  right side through a narrow ditch with water running down the hillside.
We found some really neat spots for sections, and  plan on checking some of these next time we get over that way with a handsaw with us, to do some clearing. ( Note! This is all Private land)

This is Andrew in our Gully section - the climb out  up the bank is tricky - with mud and roots. - I had Andrew try it in 1st, 2nd and 3rd. - This is always good practice.

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I always have my Go Pro running when we head out on these back trails - thinking that we might get a chance to see some wild life - we know there are bears in this area, and a lot of deer - but so far we have not captured anything on film -  once again the only deer I saw were on Westside road when I was driving home.!!

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Video for today - Hawkstone Park was about 30 miles from where I lived in the UK - And was the first Scramble that I attended - in 1955 - unfortunately my brand new James 197 Street bike got stolen from the parking lot. - pretty devastating for a young lad!!

youtube.com 1956 Scrambler Racing Filmed by my father in 1956 at Hawkstone Park

And another from the TRS UK demo Trial

https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=share&v=eHRk7FebJxU

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So with the forecast looking at snow on the ground  for Friday - I will be heading over to the Westside today - at this time of the year, we never know if this might be the last ride before putting the bikes away. - I’m not much for riding in either the snow or cold conditions at my age -( Not like the old days ) - I will take some pics and maybe some video plus put the Go Pro on the Goldie-.

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Saw this pic of Bengt Aberg’s 500 Yam - and it reminded me of the one we made up back in the day - it was a TT 500 of Walt’s - and we fitted YZ forks ( had to machine the top clamps) - Ohlin’s rear shocks - Alloy swing arm - trick pipe and I think we got our old friend Art Gavel to fine tune the motor ( Art passed away a couple of weeks ago)  - It worked really well but we never did race it.

-However the throaty exhaust sounded great, and it sure put power to the ground  - we even studded it up and rode it out in the bush at Waiparous. - It got traction in the snow like nothing else.

Unfortunately another project which we have no pictures of. - This is a real shame, and another one that I should have kept records on - plus  the YZ 125 that we ran in 1979 with an IT 175 motor.
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Posted before - But what a fantastic design - and British. - 1937

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A reminder that if you clicked onto the Motorcycle Mojo link yesterday to read  Emily’s Article - you only get a couple of pages - to see the whole thing - you need to subscribe to the Mag:  ( Well worth while as it’s the only Canadian Mag that I know of - and they post some neat stuff - watch for more articles by Emily, on both Trials and other types of Off Road riding.
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Lots of people being “Hacked” on messenger these days - just noticed Don Doerksen is the latest - wonder if he knows ?

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Looking ahead to the weekend - The VMC have a Trial on over on the Island.

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Birthday Greetings go out to our Granddaughter  Emma, who lives in New Brunswick and attends University - she has become quite the accomplished writer, with some of her work being published.

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And a sad memorial today, as Welsh people all over the World remember the 1966 Aberfan disaster, when a huge slag heap of coal caused a hillside to give way with the resulting landslide burying the village school, killing 116 school children plus many adults.

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This is a pic that Emily took of me while we out practicing Trials technique a couple of months ago and which she mentions in the Motorcycle Mojo Mag. - I was showing her how to do the double blip on this little rock - I’m on the TRS Xtrack 300 with the e start.  - Emily also rode this and the Beta Evo 200. She is a very talented young lady and rides a variety of bikes.

>>>>
motorcyclemojo.com The Life of Motorcycle Enthusiast Dave Rhodes | Motorcycle Mojo In this month’s issue of Motorcycle Mojo, we look at the life of motorcycle enthusiast Dave Rhodes. Click here to read this article today.

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Congrats to Trystan Hart of Inveremere - We first met him earlier this year, when he bought a Beta Evo Trials bike from us.  He is a very nice young guy, with a great future in the sport.

Press Release
October.19.2020

KTM Motorsports is pleased to welcome Canadian up-and-comer Trystan Hart to the FMF KTM Factory Racing Team roster to compete in the AMA EnduroCross Championship and the AMA Extreme Offroad Series, as well as select Extreme Enduro events through the 2023 race season

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Here is a typical Trials section from “back in the day” - not sure where it was taken or by whom - but it shows former World Champ Yrjo Vesterinen on the Factory Bultaco.

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A nice memory from a year ago, when we paid a visit to our old friend Al Perret at Sun Peaks - Walter, myself, Guy Laycraft and Al. -

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Well it was certainly a quiet weekend -  weather a bit “iffy” and other things happening, so no riding - and  the forecast for all this week is not looking good. even some snow - but at least it’s not going to be like Alberta - We heard from Gord Rinke who says their riding season is all done.
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A few people have now had time to check out Emily’s article in Motorcycle Mojo Magazine, and have emailed to say they liked it - there are some mistakes in there, which Emily will be posting a correction in next month’s issue. - Because I had no idea she was writing about me - and did not see the original transcript there are a few small errors. - ie: I only looked after the Canadian Yamaha lads at the 1983 ISDE - - My  thumb accident happened in a Cross Country race - not a Trial -( And I did not drive myself to hospital )  I was involved in two separate dealerships - but in the mid 80’s not 1970’s.
Otherwise I think she has painted a pretty accurate account of my crazy life in the sport - I certainly enjoyed taking her out Trials riding, and she did well on both the Beta and TRS bikes..

This pic by Emily has not transferred very well I’m afraid - it’s really sharp in the mag.

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This is Welsh lad Iwan Roberts (TRS) winning the British Championship at the weekend - a good result for Steve Saunder’s  TRS Team as Ross Danby also won the T2 Championship.

This was followed on Sunday, by the first TRS Day put on by Steve - Heath was there to take his usual high class pics - this one shows Steve carefully watching one of his customers on a nice Goldie. - I wonder what number that one is?( Mine is #99 out of 150 built)

So here we are almost at the end of October, and we need to move the 2020 Beta Evo 200 out the door to make room for the new models - This is a slightly used demo - maybe 5-6 hours on it - never been dropped - no scratches - in other words just like new. - Of all the Beta models that we have ridden over the years ( since 1993) - the Evo 200 is perhaps the most exciting - mainly because it will do anything that the bigger bikes will do ( well almost) plus it’s easy to start.

Over the years I have proved just how good this model is, by being at the top of BIG hill climbs when others are struggling half way up on 300’s - yes that’s true. - I think that of all the Trials bikes on the market - The Beta Evo 200 is the most under-estimated bike out there.. - NOW you can take advantage of a rather crappy sales year because of the Pandemic and save up to $1500  on this bike.

But be quick because this is the first time that we have posted this.- and it’s only on at this price until October 31st.  BUY NOW for $6995.00 plus tax. (Regular $ 8899.00 including freight - plus tax)

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This pic shows an old friend by the name of Alan Sagar on the right from Wales - Alan died last year, but in his day his was the top Trials rider in our club, and a mentor for me as a young lad getting into the sport. The whole Sagar family were always involved, and Tom Sagar - Alan’s Grandson was a top enduro rider plus always did well in Scotland - & that was where I saw Alan for the last time in 1992.

No mistaking who this is - mouth wide open - concentrating hard on the big Ariel at the Pre-65 Scottish a few years ago - Yes of course it’s Sammy Miller - the section is called Grey Mares Ridge.

Here is the poster of Jordi that came in my latest Trial Mag: - it’s now up on the wall in my office.

Another Magazine - this one Canadian, and that crafty young lady Emily Roberts  has an article on me in this issue - done without my knowledge from when I took her Trials riding a few months ago.  - You can click onto the Mag - and read all about it. - www.motorcyclemojo.com

Another old James - I had no idea they made bikes back then.

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Ross Danby has won the Trial 2 British Championship. Well done Ross and TRS .

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Looks like wet weather for the next few days in the Valley>>>>

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Well Today, should have been the running of what many Trials enthusiasts call the Greatest One Day Trial in The World. “The Famous Scott Time and Observation Trial’  held on the Yorkshire moors - it’s a one loop of around 80 miles ( yes miles) and about 70 observed sections.  BUT because of the Pandemic - it’s had to be cancelled this year.

Back in the 1970’s I started running an event of this nature in Alberta - we had a different format in that we allowed competitors to ride “What they Brung”   - It was run on the same rules as the Yorkshire Trial - with riders leaving at one minute intervals, and the Cross Country course was about 50-60 km - but with only 10 sections. - Fastest guy set standard time -other finishers lost one point per minute after this time. - this was then added to the score in the sections to get the overall winner.
My main purpose in organizing this - (as President of the Calgary Club ) - was to try and get more of our club riders to understand more of what the sport was all about - you would not believe how split up our Calgary weekly meetings were at Chestermere Lake - after the main business was over.  MX guys in one corner - Flat-trackers in another & Cross Country racers in another - with the trials guys filling out the final spot - no much “mingling” at all.
I was lucky enough to win this twice - the first time on a TY 250 and the second time on an IT 400 - You can imagine how tough it was riding the IT in sections - maybe I started a trend!!

But the best thing about hosting this event, was it brought the club lads together and they all learned a lot. I think the idea really helped promote the club spirit.
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Did you know that a Fantic is leading the 125 class in World Enduro?   - Actually a bunch of Yamaha ’s with the Fantic badge on them.

This report was up on FB.

Dang! Beautiful mate….. beautiful

Three (3) Fantic XE125 riders are at the Top 5 of the on-going FIM-sanctioned Enduro GP at Day 1

Look at how those core YZ125 cum Fantic XE125 rails in ‘extreme test’ sections…. There are ‘enduro test’, ‘cross test’, and then ‘extreme test’….

Have they been a better platform if they took the YZ125X enduro for a platform instead of the YZ125 motocrosser? I really do not know….

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Final results for the ATAQ Series in Quebec - Looks like Beta cleaned up !!!

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So with winter weather approaching - Brrrr - it’s time for all Trials riders to either take up another hobby - or maybe  move to the West Coast  -  We sure lucked out   for our one and only event of the year at Ross Rathbone’s place   - Hopefully nobody will show any Covid effects from this,  !!!!!!!!

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In the meantime, I’ve been thinking about our annual Remembrance Trial - and will be posting some thoughts on this shortly. Maybe we will just have a get-together at Summerland.

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Although we did get a few sunny breaks on Friday - I didn’t get out for a ride and the rain set in pretty steady by mid afternoon.

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Your video for today and it’s Canadian  >

youtube.com Trial World Championship 1989 (Round 5 Canada) On Sunday June 4th, 1989 the small town of Tweed, Ontario, Canada hosted the Trial World Championship 1989. The event was co-run by the Amateur Trials Associ…

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Friday October 16th 2020

Friday, October 16th, 2020

Never forget “The Pilots of 1940 and The Battle of Britain”

Here is neat shot of Heath’s buddy Fransisco   on the very nice Beta TR 34 that Heath just restored.

A book that I have never read and do not have in my collection.

Entrees now open for the 2021 Scottish - get them in!! and hope this Pandemic is over by then.

I wonder how many entrants next year will be on the TRS with estart ?? makes a lot of sense, especially for older riders, who need to save energy. - How many times does a rider have to kick-start the bike each day in Scotland?
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At a time when Newspapers and Magazines are folding because of the Electronic media - It’s great to be able to still get this Mag: out of the UK. - Plus this issue has a super poster of Jordi on the Beta to stick up on the wall.

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So yesterday, I had to scrape the windshield of my van for the first time this Fall - and with snow up on the Hills we could be in for an early Winter. - They are warning of a possible 25cm in Calgary today.

This being the case, I might try to sneak out today for a ride with Roy!! - More on this later if it happens.

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In Moto GP News - Valentino Rossi has tested positive for the Corona 19 virus - and will miss the next race at least.

A reminder to everyone that was at Scotch Creek last weekend  to let us know immediately if they show any signs of the Covid  over the next couple of weeks!!!!
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Thursday October 15 th 2020

Thursday, October 15th, 2020

This photo by Iain Lawrie of a section in the 1983 Scottish Six Day Trial, is perhaps one that best describes the sheer magnitude of the Highlands. If you haven’t been there - put it on your bucket    list, but don’t plan on entering unless you are classed as either Advanced or Expert- Yes it’s tough.

While we are talking neat shots of Motorcycles  in nice picturesque settings - lets  see one from our local area - up above Vernon - not sure who the rider is though - it didn’t say.

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Watch out for this lad in the future - he’s Dougie’s Nephew  -

tSponsalrl

  ·

Congratulations to our supported rider Harry Hemingway on a fantastic first season competing in his first year in the world championship, finishing a brilliant 5th place overall in the championship. A fantastic achievement considering Harry was the youngest rider in the championship, competing in 4 two day trials over a compact 6 week period that also included returning home, riding a club trial and also taking 2 podiums in the British Championship event in Devon. Harry also goes down in history as the Youngest Rider to achieve a podium place in a world championship event with a 3rd place finish in Spain on day 1. Congratulations from all at Dc Air conditioning ltd

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This old pic of me with the Beta 300 4T just popped up on FB - Can’t remember who was with me on that ride over to Spanish Lake, but it was a great day and the 4T is a wonderful bike for this type  of trail ride. - Now if Beta would just put an E start on it!!

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The name “Jones” is quite common in the UK - in fact it’s Babsy’s maiden name - but I never knew that there was a motorcycle  by that name.

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Looking for something else and came across my copy of Sammy’s book on the Honda story - while there is no doubt that he was instrumental in teaching the Honda folk all about what a Trials bike should be like - things did not go well  for Sam and the Japanese and in the end they parted ways.

It’s a great book to read, and having worked for Yamaha, I can appreciate some of the difficulties that Sammy Miller experienced.

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Wednesday October 14th 2020

Wednesday, October 14th, 2020

Believe it or not - It’s time to start thinking about Christmas - and for wives and girlfriends - this usually means buying clothing for the Trials guy in their family - I thought of this when I saw Byron decked out in that orange Scorpa gear at the Trial - and he certainly needs a change of clothing for next year, now he is on the TRS - !!! The Wulf stuff which we have been selling since 1995 - is great quality and reasonably priced - although we can  get the TRS gear  which also seems quite popular.

This is Kevin on one of the very tricky and slippery log sections.

And Steve Day on the same section.

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Jordi must be very proud of his Team.

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Take a look at this pic of the bikes at a Classic Trial in Europe -

Here is the Vintage scene in Edmonton!!! Walter sent me this pic.

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It was interesting to chat to a couple of the riders at Scotch Creek about both “Bike set up” and also “Mind games”  - The fact is that many riders have the riding ability, but just fall apart in a Competition , because they can’t control nerves and get their “Head” right.  - I remember our old friend Ady Brown who commented back in the day that - He had his competition beat before they started by just making some remarks to unsettle them.  - Even at the top level - one bad ride on an early section, can ruin the day for some.

What I have always told anybody that I’ve coached is this - “If you have a bad early “5″ - get that out of your head straight away - forget about it - and plan as if the Trial starts at the next section.

Of course there is no doubt that to become a Champion - you have to be Consistent -  winning one day then finishing down the field the next event will never win you that #1 Plate. - - It’s a fact that many riders do not know how to walk a section and have the right pictures in their head before they go through the “IN” cards. - especially if there are a bunch of spectators or their competition standing watching every move.

An interesting thing happened at the Scotch Creek Trial when Brian McNeal was riding the big log section on day two - when he made the turn to approach the BIG log - he was chatting to brother Pierce who was standing up top to act as minder - He said that he didn’t know how to ride this - in other words what technique to use !!

With Pierce shouting instructions, the result was pretty much a foregone conclusion - good effort but Brian needs more practice on the new bike, and overall did pretty well on both days.
This is why I like to shoot a lot of video - because it shows the rider technique ( Good and Bad) - this is always  a good idea for play back after a training session.

Bottom line is that if you can’t see a picture in your head of yourself  “Cleaning” a section - chances are you won’t do it.
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Tuesday October 13th 2020

Tuesday, October 13th, 2020

We hope everybody had a nice Thanksgiving weekend - It is always a special time for family gatherings and Yesterday was no exception for us.  Good to be able to see the kids and grand-kids in these troubling times.

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Below are the top three  masked men in the shortened Moto Trial GP Class ( As they call it these days)   Tony Bou (Honda) - Adam Raga (TRS)  and Jaimie Busto ( Vertigo)

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Back with more from the Shuswap Trial  > This must have been a very scary ride for Steve, as he knows that he hasn’t hit the log quite right which then got him all out of shape in the next couple of pics I took - he had to use all his experience to save it as he went off the end log at full throttle, ( Note: his nice Wulf Trials pants and Outlaw Toolbelt- don’t think we made many in that color so it must pretty old by now)

Here is Judy giving the riders the low down on social distancing in the groups etc.

This is an interesting bike that Shane showed up on - He had to switch the forks and other stuff from his TRS to make the old Mont work for him. -All last minute stuff so he had something to ride for the weekend - And yes he did well on it.

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We have posted this pic before - but it shows Arthur Lampkin winning the  Scottish -  the eldest in the Lampkin Family - Arthur was a brilliant “All rounder”  competing in Scrambles and Trials with the best in the World. ( Notice the “Valve lifter lever below his left hand - used for starting the  BSA)

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In weather news - today is supposed to be another wet one -with snow up on the hills - but we don’t have a lot planned - unloaded my van yesterday - always a big job for me as I put as much stuff in as I can to take to the Trials events - but then a lot has to be restocked in the shop. We have helped a lot of riders over the years by having the parts they need last minute because they break  something.
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More news as it happens >>>

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