Archive for November, 2021

Tuesday November 30th 2021

Tuesday, November 30th, 2021

It seems strange to see the name Nantmawr featured as one of the best places for a hard Enduro - namely what they call “The Tough one”  - This old quarry is just down the road from where Babsy grew up in the village of Nantmawr ( Wales) - and a place that I used to  go to practice on my Trials bike in the 1950’s
May be an image of 5 people, motorcycle, outdoors and text that says 'endurolifecom NANTMAWR QUARRY #TOUGHONE M MICH YLIN B.KN/R.IT 1 ENDURB @KNIGHTER_101 P2 David Knight'

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The Nanaimo Trials club - held a non-sanctioned Trial last Sunday, which netted over $1,000.00 for Charity - a very worthy cause  while making the most of getting out riding in these very strange times. - Christy Williams is pictured ( not sure who took the pic)  on one of the more difficult sections - they had 23 riders out, with everybody enjoying a great day.
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Below is another Lady pic - this from many years ago, showing Debbie Evans riding an extreme camber - this is one of the more difficult techniques to master, as it requires  precise body positioning and a very steady hand on the throttle. - Debbie was of course a brilliant Trials rider having competed in the Scottish on a TY 175, but her main job ( along with hubby Lane Leavett ) was doing stunt work for the Hollywood movies.

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We still have this very nice 2022 Beta Evo 200 - we will not get anymore until April next year and can’t be sure there won’t be a price increase due to the crazy freight situation. - You Snooze- You lose !!

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Quiz - We don’t know who the rider is at this early Scottish - but who is the famous spectator wearing the checkered cap?
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Who can name these three?

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For the record :  (a) Babsy and myself had our Covid Booster shots yesterday.

(b) Our Landline is still out of order. - please email or call our cell (250) 308-7307 - Please call ahead if                                     you plan on visiting

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Monday November 29th 2021

Monday, November 29th, 2021

Clicking through some old files yesterday, & came across these pics of the last Trial I rode at age 70 - it was at Stony Plain and I was on the Fantic 240, which Walter Cukavac now owns.
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Below is a pic of Bob Johns - the man who started the Trials Canada website, and also looked after things for the WTC - Bob rode a lot of Trials in the UK before coming to Canada, - he is seen here on his AJS 350
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I have been in contact this last week, with another person interested in a 2022 TRS Xtrack - when he told me he lives in Cardston Alberta, it brought back a memory of a Trial I rode there, late 1973 - I had just got the all new 74 TY 250 from Yamaha Canada, and think this was  the first  event that I entered with it - The thing I remember most perhaps, is that when we arrived ( a bunch of us Calgary lads) I found the TY had a flat back tire!!! what a way to start the day,! - but being the Yamaha guy and having to put on a good face, I got set to, with the tire irons and fixed it, as they held up the start for me.

As most people know - Trials riding, is very much a “Head game”   and I recall having to really focus, as I started off, quite flustered. - I can only remember one particular section - it consisted of a drop through a narrow creek - up a bank around a tree - with the exit being through a really deep bog. - We all looked at this for a long time and I spotted a “trick” line veering between two trees just before the muddy exit - but I wasn’t sure if I could get through with the bars as it was very narrow. -

I let the other Experts tackle it first, with everybody taking three or five. - Then it was my turn -  - somehow I managed to wiggle the TY through the narrow gap, which then placed me on a grassy hump - perfect for a full throttle air shot over the muddy bog and through the end cards “Clean”  - I think that ride might have won me the Trial - something that I had forgotten all about, until I got a call from my TRS customer.

I think this was the only Trial ever held in Cardston - which is located very near the USA/BC border and in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.  - It’s funny looking at all these early trophies, which had MX style figures on them - something I tried to change.
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The Hemmingway Family had a fun day to celebrate the success the young lads have had this season - the happy group includes Beta Importer John Lampkin.
May be an image of 7 people, motorcycle and outdoors

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Mike Philips and his Dad stopped by yesterday to pickup a Beta part and brought an old photo album which contained some neat pics of when Mike and our Steven first got into Cross Country racing . - This pic shows the young lads with their buddy Rob ( on the right) at one of the Vernon races,  - They would all have been about 15 years old at that time.

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Below the start of another race - Steve is on the very special XT 200 we built for him, while Mike is on the IT 175.

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Below shows the start of what turned out to be our Steven’s last race - he is on the far left and about to take the lead - his buddy Mike is on the far right - Steve riding Junior - caught up to and was passing the Senior riders, when he got filled in with mud - which made him pull his goggles down - not long after while trying to get by another rider, a rock spun from that rear wheel hitting him in the eye, which unfortunately left him blind and his racing was all done at age 15. - A very traumatic time for our family as I was working for Yamaha Canada, and Babs hated Motorcycles and racing for a very long time.
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Sunday November 28th 2021

Sunday, November 28th, 2021

We have mentioned how in the past, we would ride our Trials bikes to events as few people could afford a car & trailer or pickup - Well this guy in Germany  took it one step further, and didn’t even remove the rear view mirror!!!
May be a black-and-white image of 1 person, motorcycle and outdoors

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Fantic buy Minarelli !!! - Interesting - a few Trials bikes used these engines back in the day - including the Sammy Miller Prototype.
May be an image of 1 person and text that says 'Minarelli inarelli otori WALTEEn M/C 300cc 2T FI'

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I guess the TRS Xtrack is also popular in other Countries as well - nice shot in Northern Italy -  As mentioned earlier - we have had a hard time getting enough of these and already have a waiting list for 2022, so if you are thinking of one - or in fact any model - including the great Beta  that we just posted a pic of -etc  - Don’t leave it too late to order from Outlaw.  “You snooze- You Lose”
May be an image of dirt bike, motorcycle and outdoors

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The snow was coming down quite heavily on Saturday, but eventually turned to mix of snow & rain, so it got to be pretty messy out on the roads -  I was glad I didn’t need to go anywhere.  I think today might be a repeat performance.

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Saturday November 27th 2021

Saturday, November 27th, 2021

The Article below was printed in the US Magazine Motorcyclist Illustrated - and covered the Scottish Six Day event from 1972.  - I’m afraid you won’t be able to read it from this - but many have seen a copy  that I have pasted up on the wall of my Outlaw Van.

I first supplied all of these 8×10 photographs along with the article, to Cycle Canada as I had been doing some work for them from day one when George Kolosinov??    started the publication as a Newspaper, However later it got taken over with John Cooper running it as I recall. - To my surprise, they chose to only use a small pic of Mick and a brief small paragraph of what to me, has always been the Greatest Motorcycle Trial in the World.

They did return my photographs and my typewritten account - so feeling a bit “Miffed” - I re-addressed the envelope  and sent it to Dirt Bike USA. - Then I forgot about it.

I think it was a couple of months later, that I was browsing  the Magazine section at Super S Drugs in Calgary, when I came across this Magazine with my article given what is called in the business “The Center Spread”  -  Plus they also sent me a cheque for $300.

And now you know the “Rest of the Story”
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SSDT

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📣- We have had a bumper entry for the 2022 event!
No less than 612 hopeful entrants have submitted their names to be put forward for the ballot. There are some top names amongst the hopeful entrants and a fantastic number of female entrants along with a strong field of newcomers.
Unfortunately, there will be a few disappointed people due to the sheer number of entrants to the 2022 event. However, the committee will soon be carrying out the ballot and will let successful entrants know in the coming weeks.
Successful entrants will then be asked to submit further details e.g bike and riding partner.
Time to get training and get yourselves ready 🏃 🏃‍♀️
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Adam signs on with Jordi for another year!!
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Yesterday I stopped off at the Telus store in Vernon ( 3rd time)  with regard to my land line still being out of service - this time I got to speak to a young arrogant person who gave me the run around ( I felt like smacking him) -  Sorry to everyone for this, but you can still contact  us, by either email or cell phone
daverhodes@shaw.ca  or cell (250) 308-7307
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I saw this post and it took me back to my roots - Babs actually grew up  in Nantmawr  and I used to practice Trials in the Quarry where this event is held - As  they say - Who would have thought this would get so huge.
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Weather in the Valley is very mild at the moment  maybe the chance for another ride?
We have finally received our parts order from Beta Canada - the freight cost was staggering - of course our next problem is trying to find a way to ship some of this stuff to customers.  If you are waiting for parts - email us !! we will try our best to get you looked after.
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Answer to the Quiz - the pic shows Dave Thorpe  taking a dive on Laggan Locks at the Scottish many years ago. - no correct answers to this one, although John Kitchener did get the section - as he has ridden it a few times.
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Friday November 26th 2021

Friday, November 26th, 2021

PLEASE NOTE OUR LANDLINE IS STILL NOT WORKING - Email us -daverhodes@shaw.ca or cell (250) 308-7307

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Face book say this was from Bear Ridge 9 years ago today - but I think that was taken in 2008 as I’m on a Rev 3 -  no snow !! We have rarely been to that spot in the last couple of years, since the bottom access road was blocked off.

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Does anybody remember the crazy days of the Barstow to Vegas?

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Interesting to read this article on Hawkstone Park - This was the first Scramble that I attended back in 1955 , and also where I had my almost new James 197 nicked from the parking lot!! -( They only started running events there in 1954)  My last visit to Hawkstone was for the World Trial in 1995 -  Amazing that it’s still kept  up for Motorcycle events !! -
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Answer to the Thursday quiz - #32 is Jeff Smith.

But who is this rider taking a bum-five at the Scottish and what is the name of this famous section???

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Valentino made quite the entrance at the big Eicma Show in Italy -  Yamaha also presented him with a special race bike on his retirement from Moto GP.

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Remember when huge crowds went to watch World Trials ?? - A time when most people understood the rules?
May be an image of 2 people, people standing, motorcycle, dirt bike and outdoors

Thursday November 25th 2021

Thursday, November 25th, 2021

If anybody is going to Scotch Creek this weekend - we have a delivery for Ross !!!!! - email us or call my cell (250) 308-7307 - Ross told us that anybody wanting a bit of Indoor practice is welcome - but you need to phone ahead (250) 371-1380
( Our land line is still out of order) GRRRRRRRRRR.
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Some interesting news from down South - -

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Former World Trials Champion Bernie Schreiber will be returning to Montana USA on the 40th anniversary of his double US National Championship victories there in 1982 to conduct a two day trials school during an event of five consecutive days that includes the annual Whiskey Gulch Two-Day Trials in Butte, Montana, June 15-19, 2022.

Schreiber, America’s only World Trials Champion and Scottish Six Days Trial winner will hold his signature “Master Class Experience” two day school to start off the festivities and will be the Guest of Honor for the Champions Day celebration held on the third day. Schreiber will also take part in the finale, the Whiskey Gulch Two-Day Trials, an event that brought in over 100 riders from eight different states in 2020 as part of the Conquer The West Trials Series which began in 2017. This is a two day event series in the western USA where riders take part in at least four events to earn points towards their respective final positions and has expanded to include ten two-day events in 2022.

SSDT – 1982Montana is of particular interest to the 1979 World Champion ever since winning those two US Nationals on his way to securing the 1982 US National Championship title as the two events were a stark contrast of back to back days. The first National held in Bozeman on July 3 was very easy as Schreiber’s 7 mark winning score proved, yet the second one in Whitefish was anything but as Schreiber’s 144 mark score still stands as the highest winning score in the history of The US National Championship series.

Montana native Rich Hilbun organized that second record setting national in Whitefish and recently had the idea to contact Schreiber about returning on the anniversary to conduct a trials school. The five day format was the result of their following discussions along with Dan Larson of Mossy Rock Trials & Off-Road who organizes and sponsors The Whiskey Gulch Two- Day Trials which began in 2009 and has taken place annually without interruption since.

Schreiber, who has a very unique approach to instruction that combines elements of hands on riding together with a strong focus on the mental side of the sport said, “I’m proud to be Guest of Honor at the Whiskey Gulch Two Day Trials in the beautiful state of Montana. The gold and silver treasure state of America is every trials rider’s dream destination to discover the outdoors and off-road riding. In 1982, I remember taking home gold twice in Montana. Rich Hilbun and Dan Larson at Mossy Rock Trials & Off-Road are excellent organizers and together we came up with a plan to make this happen. It is very exciting returning in 2022 to teach, ride and celebrate in such a memorable place. Who knows, I might take gold again, but will be very happy with silver as well!”

May be an image of 1 person and text that says 'WHISKEY GULCH MOTO TRIALS BUTTE BUTTE.MONTANA EST.2009 JUNE 15-19. 2022 BUTTE MONTANA BERNIE SCHREIBER MASTERCLASS JUNE 15-16, 2022 .CHAMPIONS DAY JUNE 17. 2022 .WHISKEY GULCH TRIALS JUNE 18-19. 2022 GUEST OF HONOR is America's only World Trials Champion and SSDT winner Bernie Schreiber Masterclass and Champions Day information, please contact: Rich Hilbun trials213mt@gmail.com obtain the necessary application form. First come, first serve basis. Whiskey Gulch Two-Day Trials Information, please contact: Dan Larson at dan@mossyrocktrials.com PRESENTED BY bernieschreiber.com moSSU mossyrocktrials.com'

Seeing   this story about Bernie - reminded me of another one - It was at one of the World Rounds in Alberta that Yamaha  Canada Sponsored- ( Not the first one that I did) - At the Trophy presentation - I  was asked to say a few words, and thanked all the riders, especially the Europeans - when  a voice from the back of the crowd shouted “How about the Americans?” - Yes that was Bernie and I did apologize - ! think that any Trials rider who goes to Europe and pays his dues - deserves a huge credit - and Bernie certainly earned that for sure. -   He has obviously matured since those early days and now lives in Switzerland  - I think a few of our BC and Alberta riders would have a great experience if they attended these Trials Schools.
( Did you know that Bernie stayed with Harlow Rankin many years ago and put on a Trials school at Panorama BC  ?) - I don’t think I ever met Bernie Schreiber  although as my memory fades - it is possible.
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This is a great and rare shot of Bill Sharpless riding a Kawasaki Big Horn in the  1970 ISDT

May be an image of 1 person, motorcycle, outdoors and text that says 'El canadiense William H. Sharpless sobre una Kawasaki 350 cc.'

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QUIZ - Who is this rider with the #32 - Usually seen on Stevie Bakers Yamaha’s.
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Some of the Classic bikes at the Costa Brava Two Day  Trial   were absolutely stunning - it would be heartbreaking to see any of these dropped. - There were a few beautiful Triumph  Twins like this one - they sounded fantastic. pic courtesy -trial fotoblog.  - Can you imagine a modern day Trial with 400 entrees???? - ( The Scottish is restricted to I think 380)  - World Trials struggle to get 10 riders for the top class !! - Hello !!!!! Is anybody listening?
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The first shipment of 2022 TRS bikes have arrived  at Saunders Xtreme in the UK ->

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More 2022 TRS models ready to be shipped out from the Factory - I wonder if any of these are headed our way?
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