outlawtrials.com

One word - Fabulous !!! - Not Trials I know - but Motorcycle sport in my day covered everything.

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I like this pic of Dougie in Scotland on the Beta - I first met  Doug’s Dad - Martin, in 1972 at the SSDT and then later of course when all the “Lads” came over to ride our perhaps infamous   1975 World Round near Bragg Creek, when my sections proved to be a real challenge for even the best in the World. -

- It wasn’t until 2004 that I met Dougie as a young lad competing in the World Round at Donner,  -Mart and Dougie were sleeping in a tent -  just in front of my Outlaw Van - I was sleeping in my bunk, while Barry was in the back of the long wheelbase van  -( it had a dividing wall)

Already the top riders (Like Jordi) knew he was going to be very good. - It was after this that we supplied Mart & Dougie with Outlaw toolbelts & bakpaks as at that time sponsors were not  knocking on their door, and they were still hooked up with Betas from UK Importer & cousin John Lampkin -

I still have the nice letters that Mart wrote to me from back in the day, and remember the last time I met him at Hawkstone Park in 2005 - he asked me if I needed a bike to get around on!!  -  What a great guy he was and such a loss to the sport.
Mart said he would have preferred Dougie to take up Golf as there was more money in it -  but  he certainly proved to be a smart businessman  as well as a Father, guiding Dougie to a big dollar contract with Honda.
Although Dougie has gone on to be a very good businessman in his own own right, I still like to think that “One Day” we might see him on a Beta again.

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And another Scottish pic - this one by Iain Lawrie of The Japanese Test rider “Harry” Kimura, on the Prototype TYZ - complete with our Outlaw cross bar pad that Mick Andrews put on it !!  -Walt was with me at that SSDT and through his shop we ordered 5 of the new TYZ models.-  I was disappointed when they did not make the changes suggested by Mick, on the production bike,  and sold the one I was riding  when Don Clark phoned me up and asked me to be a Gas Gas -Beta Dealer.  ( And as they say the rest is History)

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My eldest Brother just  sent me this pic from the late 50’s  when he also rode trials - the bike is a 197cc Norman. ( Not a popular brand but worked OK - at that time there were so many British manufacturers)

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Sunday was another “Stay at Home” day - caught up on a few chores - then started reading a book called “Spitfire Ace”  - That somebody left outside my door - it’s a brilliant account of events that led up to the Battle of Britain , from all different angles - including stories from the pilots who flew both the Hurricane and the Spitfire -

Below is a pic of the ATA - The ladies who ferried all the new aircraft from the factories to  the RAF airfields across the Country.  It’s reported that 166 of these brave lassies were killed over the course of the war. ( Later of course many were flown to the UK from Canada)

I could not help thinking how these two fine aircraft  would be related to the Trials World.

I think the TRS would be the Spitfire - light  zippy and maneuverable - while the Beta would be more like the Hurricane - heavier & slower, but able to take a lot of punishment.

- And like the pilots who had learned to fly in old Bi-planes - and flew other “slugs”  -before jumping into the New Supermarine “Spitfire” - riding an old twin-shock  does  give the same impression. to me.  ( Which might come as a surprise considering my age)
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Latest rumor from the Enduro World is that Jonny Walker might be on a Beta for 2021

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To explain this pic from one of the Stony Plain Outlaw Trials - Don Doerksen has just “Caught” the Flying 240 Fantic after Taff jumped off - This is one of my old ones,( I had two)  - & would loan this one to Taff while I rode the other one in the vintage class. ( now owned by Walter Cukavac) -

This bike has an interesting history, having been bought for Steve Day by his Dad when they were running the Alberta Trials scene. - Later a guy from Vancouver Island had it and then I bought it from Don Doerksen. -  I sold it to buddy Roy from across the Lake - who said he blew the motor ?   - but then  he gave it to Steve Richardson from Gambier Island. -( I must try to remember to ask Roy about this)

I noticed a post by Mark ONeil  saying that he thinks he now has this bike.  - What made this bike interesting, was that it had provision for a bolt on accessory Power Valve. ( Although I never did anything with that) - It’s easily recognized as the top steering head has been welded, and if you remove the tank you find that the top of the frame has been tweeked.

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It was this time last year, when Chuck from Salmon Arm picked up his Beta Evo 4T - and it was nice to see him out at the Ross Trials event last month - He says he loves the bike and had a lot of fun.

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A rare pic of me wearing sunglasses, no doubt because of the sun glare on the snow - having artificial lens’  in my eyes  sometimes makes it difficult in these conditions, especially if the sun is low on the horizon.  This was at Bear Creek some years ago.

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I have no idea who this is, or who took the pic - but what great style on the old AJS.

ah yes -used to be lots of mud in the Trials I rode in the 1950’s

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I love to see some of these old B&W Photographs ( Yes Photographs NOT pics) - likely taken with a glass plate camera, when it took a lot of skill and training to get good results.

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video for today  >>

youtube.com ONE DAY TRIAL Classic trial in japan 2020 クラシカルな旧車でスタイリッシュにトライアルを楽しむそんなイベントです。 選手権のように殺気立った雰囲気はなくみんなで楽しむ！そんなイベントが日本にもあります。 ステッカーの販売始めました！ https://moritv.bas…

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A time when Formula One had some credit - Sorry but I am not a fan of the Lewis Hamilton BS, and have stopped watching this on TV.

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So what is the first thing you notice about this old Trials pic?  The riders?  No all the bikes lying on their sides on the bank, because the side-stands  have been taken off!!! - This was quite common in the old days - not because they bent - but because it saved a few grams of weight!!! Oh yes ! everybody was super keen back then.

And how about this one ? John Whitby took this one of me back in 1973 on a VERY steep section - I was on the brilliant 325 Sherpa T - so likely pulling 3rd gear. - Not sure if it was me or Murray that won that Trial.

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Some interesting  old photographs showing up on FB from the early 1900’s when most of the freight and passenger traffic in the Interior was moved by Paddle Boat.

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Still no big snow in the forecast - which is good - not sure what the weekend will bring, but I do have some chores to do. -

We are still shipping out parts and accessories on a daily basis - so if you need something, just shoot us an email. - We have lots of Wulf stock - Boots - Helmets- shirts - pants - gloves etc. - We had a call from Pete Bustin,  thanking us for the Wulf boots that we supplied for both his lads - very happy. - He was calling from Stan’s place and of course bugging me to go for a visit - but this isn’t likely anytime soon.

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Most Trials riders from the past, will remember Debbie Evans and her famous head-stand stunt on the TY 175 ( which she also rode in the Scottish ) but this is a talented lady from the days of silent movies - pretty clever I would say.

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Just saw this on FB - shows NZ TRS Importer Steven Oliver on a new Gold  Special Edition - I think he is a former NZ Champ and posts a lot on FB ( Not always about Motorcycles)

This pic was taken on November 25th 2012 - by Kevin Elbury - up above Okanagan Lake - it was a fabulous day - as is often the case in the Valley - in fact we likely have dozens of pics taken from this same spot. late in the year.

The pic below of a Lancaster bomber flying low over a lake in Wales, could just as easily have been taken in our beautiful Valley - As most History buffs know,  in order to drop the large “Bouncing” bombs at the correct altitude - the Dam-buster pilots had to approach at 50ft above the water, - all the testing for this was done in the Welsh Elan Valley. - the aircraft were fitted with a small searchlight at the front and rear, which converged at exactly 50 ft - that was how they did it - However - this also gave the German guns on the Dam’s an easy target.  - In case we forget Guy Gibson and his gallant crews, many of whom did not return.

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After we  saw the rumor being posted about KTM/GG - trying to buy Adam Raga - He has just resigned with Jordi’s TRS for a 6th year.  As Jordi says - “We understand Trials”  -
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A couple of days ago, we wrote a blurb about wheelies - so here is a video that lists some of the common mistakes.

7:25 7 MOST COMMON MISTAKES LEARNING HOW TO WHEELIE Cross Training Enduro Cross Training Enduro Skills 32 weeks ago · 940.9K Views

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And a really good video to watch about Mart Lampkin >>>

RIP Martin Lampkin 1950-2016 - Trials Legend Duke Video Duke Video • 33K views 4 years ago

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Thursday I had to go to Kelowna to deliver  some Opti for dealers - but also took Babsy along to visit some old friends - After dropping her off - I did my rounds in the busy afternoon traffic before collecting Babs for the drive home. - By this time it was getting dark and  I experienced something that  I hate - driving in the dark - but what compounded the issue, was I decided to take the back road to Winfield -as I was on that side of town -  thinking it would be quiet !!  Wrong -  we were into Rush hour and the Kelowna Traffic is now nuts - not unlike Vancouver - the back-road gets to be both narrow and twisty - plus I could not believe the traffic headed South from up valley - it was nose to tail a mass of bright lights.

Suffice to say that it was a white knuckle affair and I’m very glad that I don’t have to do this anymore on a daily basis.  In fact I rarely go to Kelowna these days.
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This poem was posted on FB.
The year 2020. And just ‘round the corner - The holiday season, But why be merry? Is there even one reason? To decorate the house And put up the tree, When no one will see it, No-one but me. But outside my window The snow gently falls, And I think to myself, Let’s deck the halls! So, I gather the ribbon, The garland and bows, As I play those old carols, My happiness grows. Christmas ain’t cancelled And neither is hope. If we lean on each other, I know we can cope.

.By: Shawna Hickling, Calgary, AB, Canada November 19, 2020

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Jonny Walker and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing part ways

No other details of what the future holds for the British rider

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Yesterday was quite a busy day - first thing, I was in the van & headed up the Valley to Backus Racing - They are a very successful Polaris Dealer  selling lots of sleds plus a ton of side-by-sides - they are very involved in Baja racing at the moment, although all this has been put on hold for this year because of the Pandemic. - They also sell a lot of Opti Snowmobile oil, and have used it in their Snowmobile Hill Climb winning sleds over the years.

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Today, I will head the other way - down the Valley to Kelowna, again to deliver Opti Oil - it will also give me a chance to visit Paul at C & S Printers, who do all our Trials cards etc.

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A few birthdays to announce - November 24th was my brother’s 87th birthday back in the UK - today it’s Joel Robert’s 77th and over in Vancouver Kirk McDowel is another year older.

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Check out these videos.

Trialeros del Mundo

https://www.tmxnews.co.uk/…/james-dabill-retires-a…/

August Workshop Update: New Imperials, Fruin, BSA, Triumph and more!

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This is a shot of the late Martin Lampkin on an SWM - note the perfect style - right arm up - right leg out - finger on the clutch as Mart used to say “Perfect”

New riders today are very lucky to have all the quick hi-tech video available from phones & cameras. - the best tool for learning the correct riding style  - instant play back.  - We use video all the time when out training newbies.

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I sent this post to Walter in Spruce Grove after he had mailed me a pic of a buddy crossing a River in Alberta.

- I remember the 1973 Moose Mountain race - I was riding my Bultaco Sherpa T 325 - brilliant bike but it had a crap gas tap and mine was leaking on the line - I was fiddling around
trying to fix this with some JB weld - with Bob Sadownick holding my bike ( as
it didn’t have a side stand ) - all of a sudden the shotgun went off and Bob
dropped my bike on top of me while he started his Bultaco Alpina and raced away with
the other 170 riders !!  - What a great start to my 2nd Cross Country
event - by the time I got going I was dead last! -

However about a mile from the start was a huge slippery hill and this was covered with bikes &
bodies - so being a Trials rider, I just rode up one side over all the logs etc and likely passed 50 or so in one go.
Later I came to this river crossing, and watched in amazement as all the
guys were leaping off the bank into the deep rushing water, only to  be
either upside-down or watered out.

I decided to ride farther up the bank where I noticed a sandbar in the
center of the river - and managed to use this to my advantage riding
downstream and exited  where a bunch of guys were parked with their bikes
upside down draining the water out !!  - - I still remember that both Rudi
Zsasko and Zoli Snr - looked  astounded as I rode out of the river Feet  Up.

-that race was two 50 mile loops and some of those guys were still
there when I came around on my 2nd loop. -

The mud was so bad on one cut line not far from the finish that my front wheel with a low fender got so clogged up it wouldn’t turn, and I lost a position to a guy on a Husky because of
that. - basically within sight of the finish.
In the end I finished 6th overall & 3rd Open - As you can see by the
pic I was totally  knackered. - I can’t remember who won but probably Ken
Haybeck from the States - He used to come up early and find out where the
course went so he always cheated -  ( But a very good rider)

UPDATE :  That Hill I mentioned looked a bit like this >>>

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Thankfully, still no snow out the window today, which is good because I have to go up the Valley & pick up an Opti shipment from my friends at Backus Racing - they sell a lot of Opti Injection oil in the winter months, so I use them as a drop point for the 45 gal drums etc.

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This just popped up from a year ago on this date - Shane and myself out on a rather cold but dry day up above Peachland.

Last week, I mentioned that things were starting to get busy with regard to shipping out any parts or accessories before Christmas - Well Monday I was in a line-up with about 15 other people trying to mail off a small box to Penticton, so with this in mind PLEASE  don’t leave stuff until the last minute.

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This is a shot I took of Murray Nutt many years ago at Blackfoot Park  in Calgary - It was the Western Canadian National Trial, and while there were some hot dogs from the Coast entered - Murray took the win.( Surprised a lot of people)

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With the short World Trials series now over - and with riders like James Dabill retiring - we go into the “Silly Season” - this is when Factory Contracts get renewed, and rumors circulate - the latest is that the mighty KTM money giant are trying to buy Adam Raga !! - I for one will be very surprised if this happens - Jaimie Busto has been bouncing all over the place, so who knows where he will end up - As they say at the Circus “Bring in the Clowns”

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Weather in the Valley is still looking good this week, which is great, because we have some Opti Snowmobile oil to sort out & deliver.

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The small Family owned Beta Factory have had an amazing year with their Enduro bikes - winning in Europe and now also in Japan.

On a side note - did you know that KTM once tried to buy Beta?  but were turned down by the Bianchi  family. -  Could the recent buy out of Gas Gas and spending lots of money in every aspect of motorcycle sport, be just   more about the Austrian Factory trying to take over the Motorcycle World ? and will it all fall apart as History has proved for other German conquests?

( Many people are unaware that KTM were in receivership about 20 years ago, but were bailed out by the German Banks)
I remember Bob Hannah saying to me back in 1975 “Money will buy anyone”  - and it did for him, when he was lured away from Yamaha  - Brand loyalty certainly is rare at the top end of the scale.

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And finally - Here is another video for “The Silly Season”  ( sent by old friend Chris Wilson from High River AB)

Motorcycle Chariots Australian Motorcycle News Australian Motorcycle News • 59K views 2 years ago

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We often get people asking about Trials Training and if we can help - and while it’s true I did quite a lot of this in the 70’s - in later years we have just helped new riders on a “One on one” basis showing basic techniques.  -

One of the main things that I stress these days, is clutch control, which is a “Must” on the modern bikes.  Also - new riders need to practice one thing at a time - start “Slowly”  - forget about those big rock steps until later. - ( After you master the “Double blip” - and tight turn etc )
>We recently attended a school put on by Sam King  at Scotch Creek, and  I was impressed with how well he was able to explain things.  Although most of Sam’s schools planned for 2020 had to be cancelled because of the Pandemic - We are hoping this will change for 2021.

The most common mistake that we hear about from  newbies - is that the first thing they want to learn is “How to Wheelie” - when in fact this should be well down the list .  - We have had more than one so called expert MX/Enduro rider get into trouble trying this on a Trials bike in our yard.

One of the bestTrials teachers is Ryan Young from the States  - A few years ago I helped Jacek Jablonski when he arranged for Ryan to  come up to Western Canada to put on a School first in Red Deer ( see video) then another one in Summerland.  - Ryan covers all aspects of the sport with a program that caters to all abilities.
We had Motorcycle Mojo gal Emily Roberts out for some Trials Training a few weeks ago - and while she is a very good rider, and also taught riding schools in Ontario. - Trials bikes are so different with the power to weight ratio being exceptional, so going over backwards when trying to pull a wheelie happens often to new riders. - This pic shows Emily on our Beta 200 in perfect control - finger on the clutch, and also a finger covering the front brake plus ready to tap the back brake  to bring the front end down, if things go haywire.

We have a bunch of Training videos on VHS - which of course few people use anymore - Mick Andrews, Steve Colley etc etc.

In the meantime check out these two which I found posted on U tube.
RYAN YOUNG TECHNIQUE VIDEO DVD

Ryan Young Trials School Red Deer AB 2017 YouTube

youtube.com Stationary Jap Zap · Moto Trials Technique · Jochen Fleschutz Trainer Jochen Fleschutz (RGA Kempten) demonstrates the Stationary Jap Zap in comparison to the Jap Zap at the Trial Day at TuS Fürstenfeldbruck. October 3rd…

and another one

youtube.com Tim Coleman : TRIALS VS ENDURO feat Lachy Andrews Watch as Tim Coleman & Lachy Andrews battle it out on an epic landscape to determine which is the better bike… Filmed & Edited by Full Moto Films SUBSCRIBE…

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Another comment we often hear is “Trials is growing isn’t it? - Well Of course this is not true especially at the World level - check this out - The sport at World level has become such a “Circus” that some top riders have recently  called in quits. - Remember the glorious years when thousands of Trials bikes were sold Worldwide? - that was when the bikes had seats and were perhaps more “Normal”

The largest growth area for Trials bike sales, is to riders with enduro bikes, who want a cheap trials bike to learn to ride like Graeme Jarvis.  Good luck.

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We see a lot of posts on the internet and of course on the TV, by people who do not  believe in  taking this Pandemic seriously. -.

I was reminded about a poem written by a World War Two Spitfire pilot- his name was Richard Hilary and I have his book called “The Last Enemy” - he wrote it while in hospital recovering from terrible burns after being shot down. - He was later killed in action.
“We grow cold, and we grow callous.

’til death stalks into our home,

with some deed that doth appal us,

then the deeper feelings come.”

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Just in case you didn’t read the blog yesterday - here is an update on our situation in all of BC - that  includes  Outlaw Trialsport. - Also  please phone ahead to make an appointment.

Maybe I should do a reprint of my original business cards from 1987 !!!!

We now have a sign up in the carport >>>

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With not much happening these days - it’s a good time to catch up on videos

youtube.com Final Round of the 2020 British Championships Motorbike riding and sidecar crashing with Toby Martyn

And another old one from when I started riding!! I seem to recall doing a bit of that !!!

Trial Off Road La Nucia

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So I wonder how many people saw the brilliant video of young Dan Hemmingway, practicing in Spain, on the Beta Factory 125 -  The 125 class is very popular in Europe as younger riders are restricted to this size engine.  - We loved riding both the Beta and TRS 125’s - but while we promoted these - and many top riders tried them with glowing reports - The fact is that in North America, the small capacity bikes do not sell well, and therefore we will only be bringing these in to special orders in future. - In other words if you want ANY particular model - Best to Pre-order  in these uncertain times, with possible Factory closures and cut- backs.
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You don’t have to enter Sidecar Trials to look good in Wulf riding gear - We have all the Helmets,jackets,shirts,pants,gloves & boots in stock, and ship all over Canada.  -  But don’t delay if you want something as  the Christmas Rush has already started at the Post Office.

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I guess I could call yesterday “Black Friday Sale Day”  my phone was ringing off the hook and we had two people coming to pick up bikes, so  we are now sold out of Betas and the only TRS we have is my own Special Gold Edition.-  If you think you are in the market for 2021 my advice is to give us a call, get your order in - ( we already have a list)
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PLEASE NOTE.  As of today, we require all customers to phone ahead for an appointment and they also HAVE to wear a mask.  Also  please note that while we try to be flexible — our winter hours are 9am-4pm.  If this does not fit into your schedule give us a call and we will try to work something out.

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So I got an email fro Michael Traves  ( Nova Scotia) saying that there is another Canadian rider entered for the 2021 Scottish ( if it happens)   Michael does an excellent job of promoting Trials at a club level and is getting more support each year. - All his events are run under the WTC banner. - He mentioned that he was thinking of going to the Scottish and volunteering as an Observer ( checker) - I emailed back and told him that if he does go - pack his thermal underwear and rain gear.

Here is one section that he will be sure to see - The Pipeline.

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