Archive for April, 2022

Saturday April 30th 2022

Saturday, April 30th, 2022

Later today we will see the results of the Scottish Pre-65 - but before that we look back on some pics out of my Book SSDT The first 100 years.

Below Geoff Duke
No description available.

Below  Eric Kitchener famous photographer when he was still riding.
No description available.

Mick Andrews
No description available.

Dougie Lampkin
No description available.

Jordi Tarres - This was in 1989 he was on the new Beta Water cooled prototype - but it seized on the first day when the radiator got plugged with mud. - ( I was there that year )
No description available.

Results.
No description available.

Thanks to all the photographers and Publishers for the use of these great photographs in the SSDT Book.

( Not sure if this is still in Print)

==================================================>

Answer to the Friday quiz - Gordon Jackson 1961- Grey Mare’s Ridge - One Dab- Observer David Johnson who now lives in Canada - he had a small Montesa Dealership for a while. ( We lost touch many yeas ago)
Harlow Rankin, and Brett Clark guessed everything correctly. - Bob Clark and John Kitchener also .
=================================================>

Friday April 29th 2022

Friday, April 29th, 2022

The big event is finally just around the corner - today will see the start of the Pre-65 Two day Trial followed on Sunday by the traditional weigh in and parade. - This is a neat poster showing James Dabill on the Beta - He has now retired from regular Trials, but I’m sure he will still be trying very hard in Scotland.
No description available.

And the forecast is> ( Thanks to John Kitchener for this)
No description available.

========================================>

Quiz today in 3 parts - (a) Who is the rider (b) What year did he win the Scottish losing just one point? (c) What was name of the section where he took that solitary “Dab” ( WE even know the name of the Observer!!!)
No description available.

Interesting to note that the AJS has Shrouds fitted around the carb - no air-boxes back then - on our old bikes we used a large piece of  truck rubber inner tube - pushed a hole in the center for the carb spigot then fastened everything tight with more rubber bands.

======================================================>

Answer to the Thursday quiz - World Champion Road Racer - Geoff Duke  - competing on a BSA at a Scramble Promotion in Australia. —— No correct answers.

======================================================>

Thursday April 28th 2022

Thursday, April 28th, 2022

The answer to the Wednesday quiz was the pic shows the famous Scottish section “Town Hall Brae” with the rider coming back down after losing a “5″ but what is even stranger is the rider looks very much like Alexz Wigg ( although I could be mistaken) .

Both John Kitchener and Pete Varey first spotted both the name of the section, and the rider coming down the wrong way.

Check out this neat drone video on UTUBE.

And at a time when we always talk about the rain for the Scottish - see this>

The risk of wildfires across many parts of Scotland over the next few days has been declared as ‘extreme’.

===========================================>

Below is a pic of a British star Scrambling in Australia   - the year was 1955 - and he was not contracted to BSA.
No description available.

Matteo Grattarola  seems to have bounced back, with some good results on the Factory Beta - a nice shot from last weekend.

I wonder how many people knew that Gilera made Scramblers-  back in the day. ??
No description available.

=====================================================>

I see that Ryan Young was on a TRS estart at his latest Trials school - !!!
No description available.

===========================================>

Wednesday April 26th 2022

Wednesday, April 27th, 2022

Quiz - What is strange about this Scottish Six Day photo?
No description available.

================================================>

Last Sunday, we met up with a couple of Enduro riders who stopped for a chat - turned out both of them had earlier experienced an “Over the bars” experience, when they ran into a barbwire fence. - Obviously something to watch out for, especially if you are riding in an old burned forest fire area. - That “Open” line through the blackened trees, may conceal a dangerous old wire fence.     ( Don’t expect anybody to hang some pink flagging on it!! - a good idea to stick a roll in your pocket)
================================================>

A few local Beta riders were out and about - all new to the Trials scene ( that is why you see they all bundled up in hot MX style gear) only Mike has bought a Trials helmet, so far. - But  Katie has nice Wulf Trials boots. Great to see them out having fun.

Update: Mike also has some Wulf Trials gear!!!

No description available.

=============================================>

Still on the Beta Theme - this old pic   popped up showing Jake Cook and Adam Haigh picking up their new Betas from Outlaw a number of years ago - neither of these lads ride anymore - as they are now family men ( but who knows they might be back)

No description available.

I have always had a “Soft spot” for Beta - but although we started selling them in 1994 and I loved that first yellow & black model  ( Who can forget the Takumi Narita video that showed just what that bike could do ) - We didn’t start riding them until 1996 - the  reason - they finally put a decent kickstart lever on the bike!!! - That old one was a real leg gouger if your boot slipped off the pedal.

=====================================================>
If you are bored with regular TV - why not check out all the neat tapes they have on UTUBE ? - yesterday I clicked onto a couple of the “Trial Tube” videos - He is such a funny guy and gives honest impressions about the various bikes.

=============================================>

Stan called yesterday prior to heading to Scotland -  long flights via Calgary-Amsterdam-Glasgow then a bus to Ft William - we chatted about the high cost to compete these days, plus some of the new health requirements and certificates.-

It seems things have doubled in price so we hope he has a good week - John Kitchener will be there to help out and hopefully get some photos.

============================================>

Leigh McKay   was at our shop yesterday - picking up the little Beta E bike for his lad - He said he had a good time at Ioco & rode around with Bob Clark. - He likes the new TRS 250 with the estart.

Open photo

============================================>

Also heard from Walter in Spruce Grove, who has been out cutting some trails and sections on his property using the Evo 300 4T - glad to get out after all the snow. - I think everybody is looking forward to the Outlaw Trial on the May long weekend. - ( Watch for updates on this)

===========================================>

A reminder that there are very few new Trials Betas or TRS left for this year, with most that are coming in all booked - if you are still “Sitting on the Fence” get the hell off because things will only be getting worse with higher freight and overall costs.

and PLEASE if you are buying a TRIALS bike  - get it from a TRIALS DEALER - ( Not everybody knows what these bikes are all about)
=============================================>

Tuesday April 26th 2022

Tuesday, April 26th, 2022

The CPTA  Outlaw Trial at Ioco ( which we sponsored) had a total of 31 riders on what was perhaps one of the best weather days so far this year. - Some of the regular riders were absent due to covid and other things, which was unfortunate. - Leigh McKay was the only rider to make the trip down from the Interior, and had a good day first time out on the Outlaw 250 TRS, finishing 2nd to evergreen Bob Clark (TRS)
No description available.

The Expert Class saw Canadian Champ Sean Bird (Scorpa) take the win ahead of Event organizer Steve Day (Scorpa) and Mike Legare (Vertigo)  -  Below Steve takes a dab on a difficult climb - watched by Sean.

No description available.

Below we see a new name ( at least for us) Bernard Rodriguez ( TRS) from Mexico.

No description available.

Results. Top three in each class
Ex - Sean Bird (Scorpa) - 13

2 Steve Day (Scorpa) 49

3 Mike Legare (Vertigo) 73

Advanced

1 Aaron Fisher (Scorpa) 36

2 Cam Collie ( Mont)  61

3 Melissa Andrist ( GG) 67

Intermediate

1 Tom Hillman (TRS) 20

Senior 45

1 Carl Muller (Beta)  71

2 Mike Pennington (TRS) 76

3 Greg Down  (?)   87

Sportsman

1 Bob Clark (TRS) 2

2 Leigh McKay (TRS) 36

Senior Intermediate

1 Don Doerksen (Honda TL 125) 2

2 Ted Blow (Beta) 8

3 Curtis Christian ( Scorpa) 9

Junior

1 Sean Grant (?) 58

A big thanks to Steve Day and the CPTA for hosting the event - Sorry we could not be there, I’m afraid old age and some health issues prevents me driving long distances by myself these days. - We hope you all enjoyed it and a special thanks to Don Doerksen for sending the results and the pics ( not sure who took these nice shots) - For more info and complete results click onto the CPTA website.
Spring is here - get out and ride.

======================================>

Monday April 25th 2022

Monday, April 25th, 2022

The weather on Sunday was fantastic for a ride - I decided to take out the Evo 300 SS this time - first for this bike since last November, and what a treat it was. - With my bad right knee problem -( both actually) - it has been easy to decide on taking a TRS estart - and lets face it - the Xtrack is a real winner.

So it was only last minute that I elected to load the Beta and head over to Roy’s place.- - I do have the Evo SS set up nicely with Boyeson reeds and other “Goodies” - which makes it perform even better, and I was soon feeling comfortable on the bike. - so much so that I elected to head up a nadgery section in order to reach the Two Chairs lookout.- rocky turns & steep.  - Doug rode down this last week, but I went around. - Glad to say it felt awesome with a “clean” ride to the top. ( but no pics or videos!!) -  - Suffice to say that I still love riding the Beta .

=================================================>

This memory cropped up on FB - it was a day out with Sammy at Silver Creek when he first came over on Holiday !! A lot has happened since then.
No description available.

========================================================>

Meanwhile over in Spain - Team Jordi TRS had a field day. - Hey Boss - Did I win????
No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

Victory for TRRS & Adam Raga, with very good results💯
Adam Raga p1 Tr1
Oriol Noguera P2 Tr2
Marc Piquer P1 Junior
Aniol Llamas P3 cadet 125
Bernat Vendrell P2 cadets
Joan Ricart P2 Tr4
Jimena Leboreiro P3 Women’s Tr3
Nico Rodriguez P3 Youth B
Jesus Martin P3 Veteran B
Manuel Revilla P3 Tr5
=============================================>
We are still waiting to hear how the CPTA Outlaw Trial went at Ioco  -   with the nice weather  it should have been a perfect day. We will likely get these results tomorrow.
=============================================>

Sunday April 24th 2022

Sunday, April 24th, 2022

Good luck to all the riders at the CPTA “Outlaw” Trial today - Sorry I can’t be there to take pics. - This is one I took of Sparky Bill ( Beta) at Ioco a couple of years ago.

No description available.

=======================================================>

The Scottish is now just a week away from the start in Fort William, but a new rule that has been posted has certainly created a lot of comments in the media. !
=No description available.

25:1 Challenge SSDT 2022

*Bike Preparation*
You might hear the old stalwarts of the SSDT saying “ah you got it easy today”?
This could be down to modern bikes, waterproof riding gear (bin liners were the preferred choice in the 80’s) or the 15 minutes each morning to work on your bike that had tubes tyres and the wheels were marked so you had to flash the tyre on the same wheel, all in 15 minutes, easy life today?
One of the major factors to bike preparation back then was the number boards where you had to have not only one on the front, but to the rear one either side. Now some left this detail until the Sunday where they would cobble something together and hand their bikes in with the black and yellow paint still wet in the hope it would dry overnight 🤷
In true military style we would not only fabricate the plates to match the bends and curves of any exhaust or frame, but we would make brackets to accommodate the mounting of the plate. This did not mean that they would survive the week or worse you would slice your jeans and leg open like a bacon slicer going for that long dab over the rear mudguard?
1987 was the last year of fabricating because in 1988 NCR was the main sponsor who produced a results system for the trial and the plastic front number boards were issued and is where we are today.
So number boards issued, waterproof clothing, tubeless tyres where you can also change wheels and 30 minutes to work on your bike?
You young uns have never had it so easy😂
.
NEW RULES FOR THIS YEAR.
No description available.
==================================================>
Birthday greetings today to the Wulfman himself - Mr Bill Brown. ( Obviously an old pic with all the hair!!)
No description available.
============================================>
Answer to the quiz - rider is Takumi Narita and the place Australia. - a couple of correct answers - one from Japan!!
=============================================>

Saturday April 23rd 2022

Saturday, April 23rd, 2022

Friday we had a nice visit with Jon Kirkham from Edson, ( via the UK) who bought this  TRS Xtrack from us., a couple of months ago.
No description available.

Later on Friday - we had a Beta E bike arrive, so another lucky youngster will be happy.

No description available.

Still on the Beta Theme - this pic from last year popped up which shows water in the Gully - but it’s dry this year ( Not a good sign - after the fires last year) I think I’m riding the Evo 200.
No description available.

========================================>

Answer to the Friday quiz   - We only know that the guy on the right is Johnny Draper !! We think the center Norton rider is Jeff Smith - pic was taken at the start of the Scottish many years ago. A few people guessed Draper, but that was all.
========================================>

Somebody asked me what is my favorite color !! - I replied for Bikes - Red or Yellow/Black - Blue -  I don’t like Orange - and Brown - the only Green I like is out in the woods !!-   There is no question that color sells - just ask your wife!!

=======================================>

Quiz - Who is this rider, and where was the pic taken?

No description available.

=============================================>

Birthday Greetings to Taff Parfitt today - who I think is over in Wales on vacation at the moment.

=============================================>

Friday April 22nd 2022

Friday, April 22nd, 2022

Don’t forget that this Sunday is the Team Squid/Outlaw Trial at Ioco - always a very good event set up by Steve Day - details either on the CPTA website or by contacting Mountain MC ( Call me if you need more info)
======================================== ->

Quiz - Can you name any of these Norton Trials riders ?
No description available.

Check out these old results - Bernie Schreiber was brilliant.
No description available.

Bernie at age 15 riding the El Trial

=====================================>

Birthday Greetings to the Queen - seen here taking a ride in a Spitfire.

No description available.

===============================================>

Wulf Boots have been flying out the door recently, but we still have a good stock - plus of course all the other gear you might need, including our famous Outlaw toolbelts.
New Wulf Trials bootsOutlaw Tool Belts

================================================>

It’s nice to see more ladies taking up Off Road Motorcycling - The Vernon Gals get together on Thursday nights during the summer, but we also have quite a few Lady Trials riders now and will have a special class for these at the May Long weekend Outlaw Trial in Scotch Creek.
May be an image of ‎3 people, motorcycle, dirt bike, tree, outdoors and ‎text that says '‎ک LADIES RIDE EVERY THURSDAY @6pm‎'‎‎

Thursday April 21st 2022

Thursday, April 21st, 2022

We had a few correct answers to the Wednesday quiz - Pete Varey was first with - Eddie Lejuene - 3 time World Trials Champion. The pic shows him with his Grandson.
Below you see a pic of the great Sammy Miller, and although there is no caption, I would guess that this was taken in the Isle  of Man - maybe in 1957 when I was over there watching - as you can see the spectators get pretty close to the action.
No description available.

=================================================>

Our Tellus land line was “Down” again for a couple of hours yesterday  - and we may have missed  a few calls - if you were trying to get hold of us - please email - daverhodes@shaw.ca

We were pretty busy running around on deliveries etc yesterday !!
=================================================>

We did get a message from Stan, who is now back from his winter in Mexico and busy getting ready for the trip to Scotland - also got a post from an old English contact of his who sent a copy of the routes for this years SSDT - He remembers Stan from 40 years ago!! and hopes to catch  up again in Fort William.

No description available.

================================================>

A bit late today with the blog and not a lot to post - Have a great day - looks to be another busy one at the Outlaw Hide-a-way.

================================================>