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Today is my eldest brother’s 89th birthday - Don rode Trials with me back in the 1950’s - but his first love was with Airplanes - He served in the RAF ( as did my other bother Doug) - then later became the CO of the ATC cadets at Cosford  for many years. ( that was where I had a trip in an open air glider) - At age 75 Don was lucky enough to be taken for a flight in an RAF Tornado Jet Fighter - breaking the sound barrier along the way. -It was flown by one of his former Cadets. -  I doubt many 75 year old’s have done that ( he had to get a special medical to allow him to go) -

Don also flew the Tug-plane for the gliders at Cosford for many years, plus gained his high altitude certificate for soaring in a glider himself.  - The last pic shows Don going for a trip in a Tiger Moth.

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A few years ago on this date - loaded up for a day out on the Beta Trials bikes.

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video for today >>>

youtube.com On the Surface 1953 - Motocross des Nations, speedway, grass track, trials & Belgium Grand Prix A 1953 Castrol Film. The featured events are the Motocross De Nations - speedway racing; Chilton Hill grass track racing at Stokenchurch; the Red Rose trials…

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Yesterday was brilliant - bright sunshine - this morning - white over again - BUT spring can’t be far away.!!

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Birthday Greetings go out today to Janis Clark of Mountain Motorcycle in Coquitlam - we hope she has a great day.

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Here’s another Mountain riding pic showing a couple of TY Yams up high in Europe back in the day.

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Yesterday we went to Kelowna to deliver Opti Oil and decided to drive back via the Westside road, and stop off at The Valley of the Sun to visit Roy. - Although the Bear Creek area looks good for riding at least low down - once you go up that last bit of elevation around Fintry - everything is still looking very wintery - this pic was taken of Roy’s front yard showing my van parked on the road.

We had a great visit, catching up on a lot of news and also watched a really good old MX tape on Netflicks - which showed Malcolm Davis on the AJS stormer, doing well against the all conquering factory Suzuki’s  of Joel Robert and Silvain Gebours.

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Don’t forget that we stock everything for Trials - The Wulf stuff is great quality at a very reasonable price - tested by ourselves for many years.

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This is Scott Ellis on a Greeves “Pathfinder” 175 at the 1970 Scottish  - That was the year that I did a Magazine test on this model at Blackfoot Park ( in the snow) - I was just getting involved with the sport in Canada, and borrowed the bike from “Ton-Up Cycle” in Calgary. - Although Greeves had some success with the Puch engined bike, the Spanish Amada had arrived with Bultaco, Montesa and Ossa -  the factories all hiring top British riders to promote them, so as they say “The writing was on the wall” for the British Motorcycle Industry.

Check out the Calgary skyline in the background - The Calgary Tower the tallest building back then in 1970. - The 175cc Puch Engine had a massive cylinder which measured over ten inches across. - I seem to recall having quite a lot of fun on the bike and won the award for “Best Opposite” the next day in the Trial ( something else I found to be very strange in the way awards were presented in Canada back then)

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video for today >  Joey Dunlop

https://bit.ly/3srjVth

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Good morning Blog Fans - this is an early shot by our Helen taken from her Patio before she heads off to work in Vernon.

Info on the World Trials Calendar  - but it remains to be seen if more will be cancelled ( Japan cancelled today)
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Here’s a pic of Mick Andrews that shows him in his original job as a Scrambles rider for Ossa.

And here is Mick on his James at the Pre 65 Scottish - I saw this bike at the 1992 Scottish and Mick even offered me a ride on it around the Car Park, but I decided not to!! ( I do have a pic of me with the bike though) - It had a few Yamaha bits on it  which  you can’t see ( all illegal  for the Pre 65)

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video for today >>>>>>>>>    Trials

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Another nice pic from the Italian TRS site - showing the Xtrack behind the regular Trials moel high up in the Mountains - Lovely scenery.

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A blast from the past - a pic I took of Barry Van As a few years ago when we were out riding up on Bear Ridge in the early part of the year. - We seem to have lost touch with Barry, but as far as we know he still lives in Kelowna.

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Today I will be heading down to Kelowna to deliver Opti Oil - then plan on visiting Roy  on   my way home on the Westside road.

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A Face book “Pop-Up” showing Matt Reading on my 2015 Beta 200 up above Lake Okanagan - these bikes are “Giant killers” and can pull tall gears even in snow like this - Later we shipped this bike to a customer in Winnipeg. ( And Matt bought his own 200) - Note : If you want one better order quick as our first 2021’s are sold, and yes all the Beta models are going to be in short supply.

Anybody going to be Blowing off a bit off Steam this weekend???

Well I see  that Andrew Vipond has been out exploring in the fresh air - also I note that he appears that he has fitted knobbies to his TRS  ??????????

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Video for the ladies >>

youtube.com Housewife Motor Cycle Ace (1965) Housewife Rene Bennett who at weekends is a trial bike rider, Hounslow, London.M/S’s of Housewife Rene Bennett in suburban garden hanging out washing on the …

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And an old one of Takumi Narita on the brilliant 1994 Beta Techno

TRIAL MAGIC

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Did you hear about Tiger Woods accident?  maybe he should have used his “Driver” ( I know that’s sick and I do follow golf & wish him all the very best as he has had a lot of shite thrown at him)
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This is the latest issue of Trial Mag UK and it’s brilliant - the very fact that John Hulme is even able to continue a Magazine in these extreme times, is amazing, and I’m very glad to see that he is getting a lot of advertising  stuff to pay the printing costs. ( I have a background in this business and it ‘aint easy - most Magazines fail after 3 years)  !!!! SO support Motorcycle MOJO - a Canadian mag: and with wonderful stories by  our good friend Emily - they do this because they want to !!  - You can’t make a fortune in doing anything that involves Printing these days -  but consider this - Magazines from the old days are now selling for large sums -  AND if you have saved those old copies of Motorcycling and Motorcycle News - you might be able to cash in. ( Oh yes I do have some old copies - might have to check that out)

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Well it looks like we are back to winter today - white all over - - not happy to see that

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Post from the World Trials site - Don’t forget to click on the English translation
trialworld.es Toni Bou: “El X-Trial estuvo más igualado de lo que muestran los resultados” Toni Bou recoge su trofeo como Campeón del Mundo X-Trial 2020 junto a Adam Raga y Jeroni Fajardo en Andorra

And another report of a great day out with the French TRS Crew

http://trsmotorcyclesfrance.com/trrs-family-2021.html

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Still on the TRS theme - it was warm enough on Tuesday to give the Goldie a run around the yard - pic by my lad Steve.

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I have dozens of old videos both VHS and CD - but really enjoyed watching this 2 tape version by Duke from 1992 - it really is brilliant and shows a wide selection of events, including the only World Round they held in Scotland, won by Diego Bosis (Fantic) with a score of 100 points !!!  - This was in many ways the golden era of Trials when both bikes and techniques were changing, but the Natural sections were still used for most events, there is some great footage of a young Graeme Jarvis when he got into the top class at Trials - he usually finished well down the results.
It is likely available from Duke video on CD and well worth the price, especially if you want to learn good clutch & throttle control, and SMOOTH technique.

UPDATE:  Also featured in one of these video clips is Philippe Berlatier taking on a big German Observer after a dispute with his score !!   Berlatier lost out in the wrestling match.

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Birthday greeting today to old buddy Bob Underhill - a great MX rider back in the day, who alwys worked at Allied in Vancouver & a big promoter of  Bultaco,. ( The message on FB says Bob turns 52 today !! err! think they might be out by about 20 years) - Also note somebody named David Rhodes turned 63 today but again - no that is not me. Although I wish I was still only 62!!.

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Who remembers the Saracen Trials bikes?  There used to be a few of them in AB - all 125cc as I recall - I never did get to try one - This newly renovated unit fitted with  a Villiers Starmaker engine  is a real beauty.

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Gord Rinke takes his TRS up a big rock -  not sure where this is -  ( But this is not his new bike)

And the caption for this action shot of Sammy ?   OH!!!

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This is a shot showing some of my buddies from back in Wales - sadly  both Brian & his brother Don Morris  are no longer with us - not sure about Bill Williams who is standing 2nd from the right. - The pic was taken at the finish of the Llecruddy  ( spelling is not correct) Struggle a Scott Type of Time Trial.   -( I rode the first one of these events  - Don Morris won it & I ended up with a 2nd class award)

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youtube.com Trials Guru - Since 2014 Recording the history of motorcycle trials since 2014 - TRIALS GURU

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Happy birthday to our lovely Grand daughter Hannah - who turns 23 today

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A reason why people love Scotland - although  you don’t often  see snow like his for very long.

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Because there are land issues everywhere here is a message from Chessy Knight regarding the Sqaumish area which could be coming under fire.

Another TRS pic - this time one of the very popular Xtrack models - in big demand especially the estart units. - ( If you want one - better order now as all the early shipments are sold out)

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Mick in his early days with Ossa - Did you know he was originally signed up to ride “Scrambles”? - The Bedford Transit van was very popular back in the day as a “Bike hauler”

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A video selection
youtube.com TrialGP âš  Falls & Mistakes âš  Grand Prix de France | Day1 â—¾ Lourdes 2016 Trial World Championship || 5ª Prueba del Mundial de Trial celebrado en Lourdes (Francia). Vídeo resumen del primer día que contiene algunas caídas y errores…

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Click on and find out >>>>  Motor Cycling’s

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Nobody guessed who the rider was in the Wulf riding who I said “Was out of sight” - It was of course Marcus Buhrig  he lives in -  “Blind Bay ” !!!!!!

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I saw this old pic of a Cross Country in Alberta, but not sure what that one was called or who took the pic and in what year - Anybody know? -  It was at Fallen  Timber. ( There have been a few posts on FB since I  did this)

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Although I’ve visited just about everywhere in Canada at some time or another - I have never been to Alaska(USA) - looking at this shot I imagine it would be a spectacular trip by train. -

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Does anybody remember the crazy water section that I put in the National Trial at East Kelowna back in the 1980’s - It seemed like quite possible  when I set it up - but after heavy overnight rain & maybe some snow run off - it became too much of a challenge for all except Stan, who gave it a go and I think got out with a three!! Sadly I don’t have any pics from most of our Trials back then as I was either riding or too busy organizing.

This is a water section in Europe someplace and a rider on an SWM Submarine

Here’s one of me in a 1971 Alberta Trial when I  didn’t realize Bultaco’s hated water!!

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This pic just popped up on FB - it shows me on my new James 197 parked by the Lake in Bala North Wales - We used the same bike for everything back then, - just taking off the tank & fitting an old one before riding it in competition - this was 2nd new bike I had and needless to say, it didn’t stay that shiny for long. ( The old B&W pic got creased over the years)  I think that I likely paid about 125 pounds stirling for that  and I recall that I got paid 30 shillings a week as an Apprentice Photo Engraver. (Note new pic with crease removed by Roger Boothroyd - thanks mate!!)

And this is the very first award I won - I still have it - I remember it was a Trial put on by the Wirral 100 club in Wales with about 120 riders, and I was surprised when I saw my name in the results which were posted the following week. - (I don’t think it was on this bike) the awards were usually mailed out to you.

In those days everybody rode the same line - same sections, so you were always up against some of the best riders in the Country on their “Factory” bikes. - to win a 1st Class award, you had to finish in the top 10% of the finishers- then you got a 2nd Class Award if you finished in the next best 10% - As mentioned most Trials would have about a 100 plus riders and the loop would usually be around 70+ miles for the day. - After that you would put the lights back on the bike to ride home - as it was usually late by then and you often had to ride 50 miles back to your home-town making for a very long day.

( Kids today don’t know they’re born!! - an old English expression)
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I wonder how many people remember Lonny from when he used to ride a lot of Trials at Ioco? - I seem to recall that some of lads used to call him “Loony” because of his “Full on” approach to some of the sections. - He moved to Cyprus later with his wife, but finally settled in Wales,

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Caption for this said “Bob Hannah sold a lot of Yamahas” - and this was no doubt  true - I worked for Yamaha Motor Canada back in those amazing times - and met both Bob and Broc Glover when they attended the Bike shows in Calgary and other places.  They were very good ambassadors  for Yamaha and very professional .

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Check out this website to watch some slick video especially the one of the lad on the 125 !! Yes  these bikes are brilliant ( as are the Beta 125’s) - We have had them both out to demo .Always had a real blast on either of them - - But we will only be special ordering these in future,  as they are not a big seller - and are not “Cheap” - Most people do not realize just how good the 125 & 200 bikes are and tend to buy something way to powerful for their ability.

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TRS Fans Italia

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Here’s a good video to watch >>
Trial Tube - 4 Stroke VS 2 Stroke Beta 300 TrialTube TrialTube • 8.1K views 1 week ago

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and one more>

https://youtu.be/e3MQGb71D7E

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We have been Distributing Opti Oil since 1987 - it goes in all our bikes. - If you are having trouble finding it - pleas give us a call.

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Check this out - It might be an old pic - but the love is there . ( No idea who it is)

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Another wonderful photo of Scotland - ( without Trials bikes) - The scenery is wonderful and I truly wish that I had tried to do more traveling when I lived in the UK. - But like they say - too late now, but at least we still have our Scottish Connection with Harry & Wendy McKay - and it might surprise a few people to learn that my Granny on my Dad’s  side of the family  was a Fraser - from the famous Clan - A story from our family archives says that we were once considered to be named Fraser-Rhodes. -  But of course with Mum being Welsh - that got shot down pretty quick -

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As this Pandemic drags on -  it is quite depressing for many of us - as old folks we rarely go out - I just stop off at the Post Office or Purolator - - to send off parts - with a deep freeze in the Okanagan - nobody is going out riding ( except maybe enduro guys with studs) -   However, I remember a few Februaries - when we were out at Bear Creek - so if you are young-fit- and able - you should get out on that bike - Yes I will be out there  at some point plotting sections for you to ride - remember - “It ain’t over . until the Fat lady sings,.

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When you look at video clips of of Trials events from the past - you might perhaps blame the design of the old bikes for all the “Flailing”around with riders  footing everywhere - but one of the big problems was the Tires that were available at the time - they were all 4ply - very stiff and gave little grip when compared to the Modern Michelin X11 or Dunlop 803 - As I recall we used to run the Dunlop tires back in the day, very hard, but I came across this poster for Avon Tires - quite rare I think -the rider Norman Ere and his brothers, used to ride our local Trials and I remember them quite well. The Victory Trial was held close to where I lived, but I don’t think I ever rode that one.

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This video is about Steve Troupe from Ontario and is quite interesting.
townmoto.com Riding Trials with Steve! If you happen to follow Steve on Instagram (@stroupefly) you know he’s an avid trials rider now and in his younger years. This winter while scrolling through his feed looking at all his old trials riding photos, we thought it’d be great to ask Steve to do a guest post on the blog and tell us a bit…

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Weather is a lot warmer today  & no snow - at least not at the moment, so I might spend some time in the shop - I still have some boxes of Wulf stuff to unpack.

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This old pic from 1983 just popped up on FB - it shows some of the Canadian Team at the end of the ISDE in Wales. - The guys were kind enough to let me hold the Watling Trophy, which  was won by the Canadian Silver Vase Team of Craig Kennedy, Blair Sharpless, ( not in pic) plus Bernie Graffunder and Tony Allen. This Trophy is awarded to the Nation showing the most Improved Performance, and is not often presented.
.The good folks at the Motel in Brecon, put on a big party for the Canadian Team who did so well, with lots of drinking and singing.  ( Neither Jerry Nillson or Jim Kelley are still with us)

Steve Day posted this - which I had not seen before - nice that both Stan and Steve are both  still competing at a very high level.

video for today  >> youtube.com Cleveland Sporting Trials 1966 - From Six in Sixty Six, a Castrol film Sequel to the outstandingly popular “Six of the Best”. The full Castrol film shows six motorcycle racing events from around Europe. They are the dragon Rally…

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Another sad loss to the Trials World - Bill Martin a former James Factory rider has passed away at 84 - I used to watch his results back in the 50’s when I rode a James 197.

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Another old Program from the Scottish - love the old photographs from the past, showing a lot of British 4 Strokes. - Can anybody name this AJS rider?

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As mentioned yesterday BC rider Trystan Hart took the win Stateside at the weekend - Maybe all the Trials Training on his Beta Evo  at Ioco over the winter helped him keep in trim.  a Big Congrats to him.  Trystan is sponsored by KTM so will now likely be getting a free Gasser.

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