Saturday December 31st 2022 New Year’s Eve.
Saturday, December 31st, 2022I saw this posted on the Social media - as an old guy - it sort of rang a bell !! Perhaps because I remember having some of these thoughts.

I saw this posted on the Social media - as an old guy - it sort of rang a bell !! Perhaps because I remember having some of these thoughts.
Well ! we didn’t get any answers to the Thursday quiz - the Group of Yamaha Team riders at the 1983 ISDE in Wales were –Walter Short- Pat Horan Trophy Team - Bronze medal -( Young Lady) Outlaw Dave - Bernie Graffunder - Junior Trophy Team -Bronze Medal - Chris Castles Club Team - Bronze medal - Tony Allen Junior Trophy Team - Bronze medal -
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As mentioned before this was a huge achievement for the Canadian Team who finished second in the Junior Trophy or Silver Vase as it used to be called. - other members on that team were Blair Sharpless (CanAm) and Craig Kennedy (Husky) - Plus the team won the rarely presented Watling Trophy for the most improved Nation. -
Not to forget the other Canadian riders who rode their hearts out Cam Whiffing- Phil Wiebe - and Tom Irwin - yes there were other riders as well who deserve a mention Warren Thaxter and a couple of other young guys from Eastern Canada - Gerry Nielson from Alberta (rip) - Sorry I forget their names. - ( it is a long time ago and I’ve mislaid my program)
Suffice to say that this was one of the biggest Motorcycle events that it has been my privilege to attend - I was glad that I could help out by arranging our Yamaha Transporter and of course as this event was in my home Country we did get some help, - but not from Yamaha Canada which was unfortunate.
-As anybody that has been involved with this type of organization will tell you - you start a long time ahead - planning is crucial, - We have been blessed with so many enthusiasts spending their own money to represent Canada and wave the flag. -
At the 1983 event we teamed up with the Australian team as they did not have enough support people - but - did you know that their Government pays their expenses to compete at this level. Hello! Canada !!
Obviously this topic could become quite long and raise a lot of questions about any possible grants if indeed they were/are available
. All I can say is that our lads paid their own way and finished second in the World. I take my hat off to them and sadly remember some who are no longer with us- Bert Irwin Team Captain, Jim Kelly - Gerry Nielson
.Quote of that week by Bernie Graffunder on the Wednesday morning at breakfast - “Dave now I know why you told us to practice riding Muskeg !!!
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On to Trials stuff - not that anything is happening in the interior - but maybe the better weather will entice some of our OK Valley riders out to Ioco - or maybe to Ross Rathbone’s Indoor set up ??
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Looking back at the 2022 year - It was really not that bad in spite of all the covid restrictions - the two Shuswap events were well attended ( Christy even came out to Martin & Julies Trial)
Looking ahead to 2023 - It’s anybody’s guess !! - we do have some new blood in our Valley who want to help out - so watch out for news on this.
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OK - The answer to the quiz pics from yesterday !!
#1 the gadget on the front mudguard is for collecting horse shoe nails that had dropped by the horses that used the old “Bridle-paths” - some of which were used in the Scottish !!!( the paths - not the horses) NOBODY guessed this ( surprise surprise) info came from John Moffat
#2 This is a tire pump - a standard fitting on many bikes in the old days ( also a regular item carried in the Scottish)
#3 The pic was taken at a trial we had at Dave Griffin’s place in Fruitvale -BC lots of familiar faces - most of which Brett Clark got.
Jimmy Corkle a couple of local guys - plus Kevin Couves, Barry Van As - myself - Mike Seto - Graeme Manning and his lad - It was an extremely hot day +40 - I remember because I had heat stroke & passed out while riding a big rock section. Had to lie down in the creek to cool off. Oh yes I remember Barry also got a speeding ticket on the way home to Kelowna!!!
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Results from the Yorkshire Boxing Day Trial - Clean sweep for Beta at the sharp end .
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We have not heard if any Cannucks are entered for the 2023 Scottish - This pic shows Stan working on his Scorpa at the 2022 event.
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Memories from 1983 in Wales - The Transporter was supplied by Yamaha UK - I planned all this a long time ahead.
But who can name the riders ??
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Quiz for today - What is the strange metal bracket fitted to the front mudguard of Gordon Jackson’s Factory AJS ??
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A flashback to an exciting time in Canadian Trials - This was when Stan had his Traveling Stunt show and featured what were pretty extreme obstacles for that era. ( Some would be even today) - Of course the new all conquering Yamaha TY 250 mono had just arrived on the market, and encouraged by his appearances on shows like the English Kickstart - Stan built some awesome sections, which required great skill and also courage to try.
This one shows Steve Day on the back board - which required precise timing doing the “flick” turn - a cloe up of Steve’s eyes shows a hint of fear and impending disaster - but I think he survived OK. The large spectators loved these shows which were held all across Canada. - Local ones were held in Kelowna at the Home Show and also the Regatta. where hundreds of spectators enjoyed them.
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This was 1890 not far from where we grew up in Wales - it’s the River Seven - first time this happened and maybe the last - but then again in these crazy weather patterns who knows.
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Could be Quiz #2 What is that thing below the gas tank of the Norton?
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As we look ahead to 2023 - it’s nice to look back at a time when Trials riding was very popular in both the Okanagan and the Kootenays, - see how many old friends you can spot, at this Fruitvale BC Trial.
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Yesterday we had a really nice three way link via facetime with some of my family in the UK - it was nice to chat to one of my brothers who I have not seen for twenty years. - ‘aint modern technology wonderful!!
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Finally ! Big thanks to the brave customer who drove up on icy roads from Kelowna yesterday to purchase one of our new style Wulf Trials helmets for his son, who lives in Pincher Creek AB - He needed to park at the top of our driveway as it was like a skating rink!!
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The pic below I took over ten years ago at Bear Ridge on Boxing Day - we had a visit from an Alberta customer so Barry & myself took him out for a ride - as you can see, some snow, but quite mild. - Barry is looking up at an Eagle who kept circling above watching us.
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We spent a quiet Boxing day, but as it had warmed up to +2 - I did go out to the shop and fired up the TRS demo we have left over - Although it had sat in the unheated shop for about a month in temperatures that dipped down to -32 - after a couple of kicks to loosen everything up ( including my stiff old bones) it only took a touch on the starter button to bring it to life. - pretty amazing.
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I wonder how many motorcycle enthusiasts watched The Great Escape - over the holiday - always a favorite.
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Perhaps the best “invention for Trials bikes - The TRS magic button !! - This proved to be very popular. - especially with the older brigade or people with leg/knee issues.
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Roger Boothroyd took this pic a couple of years ago of John “Boomer” Gronow on his 90th birthday - sadly he left us on Christmas day this year our condolences to his family ( they all rode Trials) and to the Victoria Motorcycle Club - Boomer was their oldest and long time original member.
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Mick says - Merry Christmas!!
Santa left this under our tree - Glenfiddich - but seems a funny shape for a bottle!!!
In the UK Boxing day is often a time to Clear the head” by riding in a Trial or as seen here watching the Scrambles on TV - Good old days, when just getting around the muddy track was an achievement!!
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A few people guessed the quiz pic yesterday as being an Ariel 500 HT5 - The bike made famous by Sammy Miller - but I’m not so sure it is - if you study the tank logo - it could be an Italian Gilera as the post was from Europe. - A very good copy if this is the case.
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We hope everybody enjoyed Christmas day a time for Family gatherings, and perhaps a toast both to absent friends and to those suffering in the Ukraine.
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Sad News - we just heard that John “Boomer” Gronow died on Christmas day - he was the longest lasting member of the Victoria Club. - What a “Character” he was - Godspeed Boomer
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MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY.
This pic is not from this year - we have way more snow today - but the same nice view .
I think this makes a perfect Christmas Trials pic - Santa on a big thumper - but what bike is it?
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Not sure why my previous posts were inter-spaced with - A - Hmm strange things happen in Winter time. or maybe just a Canadian thing!! “A”
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The TRS Factory got together for this shot - wishing us all a Merry Christmas.
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As most of you know Dave Fair is the main Trials guy on the Island - and does a great job promoting the sport - but he also has an extensive background in Flat Track racing - In the meantime he is showing off his Hodaka Super Rat - likely the only bike he could get started in the frigid weather ?? or maybe it was the lightest to push out for the pic !! Merry Christmas Dave.
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Yesterday was a “Stay home ” kind of day - with the driveway plugged with snow and our Plow guy having trouble starting his tractor !! - Momma Bear did get out later with our Son in Law in his 4×4 truck. - Not sure what we will see when we check outside today ( still dark) HO HO HO!!!
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I mentioned yesterday that it was Bob Clark’s birthday - yes he is 65 years old !! - I just thought it might be a good time as it’s Christmas - to mention what a great business relationship we have had with the Clark family, ever since Bob’s Dad, Don (rip) phoned me in October 1993, suggesting that I might like to be a dealer for him. - or to be precise his words before that were “Dave it’s Don Clark - how are you getting along with that Yamaha?” - My answer was “Don you know bloody well how I’m getting along with that TYZ” - Anyway - I said I’ll be out tomorrow - a decision that I have never regretted.
The pic of me is at the 1992 Scottish - standing by the Factory Yamaha TYZ Prototype - which a Japanese rider competed on to test the bike - Note the Outlaw  Xbar pad - that Mick Andrews put on it. - Unfortunately none of the changes that Mick suggested were ever done, and that is why the production bike was a disappointment .
Looking back - I think maybe the reason that I still have a lot of Yamaha Dealers as friends - is because like Don Clark and now Bob - I always tried to do as good old Walt used to say “Always say it as it is”  - ( sometimes this got me into trouble)
Over the years since we started Outlaw in 1987 - we have dealt with quite a lot of companies, and also discontinued  with some of them, when we decided we did not like their ethics. ( No I’m not going to name them)
Another great Company who have supported me since late 1987 - is Interlube USA - the people who supply us with Opti Oil  - while there is no doubt that we sold a ton of oil for them over a few decades - when old age stopped me traveling and an obvious down turn in sales - Interlube have still got me as their Distributor. - In fact they sent a Rep up to the Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame back in 2018 - We often talk about our Motorcycle Sport as being “Family” - Yes - At this time of the year - we ( Babs and myself) would hope that everybody has a great Christmas.
Merry Christmas Bob
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A memory from 2016 - and to think it all started when a young Sammy emailed me from Australia !!
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Answer to the Thursday Quiz - The section is Laggan Locks rider Mike Rapley - John Kitchener was the only one with the correct spelling, and also mentioned that this section was not used in the 2022 event - after being a regular for over 45 years.
Brett and Pete Varey were also quick with the answer
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Brrrrrrr it’s -32 in the Valley today - not much of an incentive for Christmas shopping. -even if the vehicles will start!! Â -
Birthday greetings to Bob Clark TRS Importer, who has made another trip around the sun.
Oh ! And the Boxing day Trial at Ioco - has been postponed !!!! I wonder why ( Ha Ha)
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Below is a 1980’s pic of a World round section with Jordi Tarres heading upstream.
Quiz for today - We don’t know who this rider is, but can anybody name this famous Scottish Section????
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I see another World Trials rider has called it quits - one of the Gelebert brothers - he was usually in the top 5-6.
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Another sign of Global warming !! A frozen waterfall a couple of days ago - this is in WALES>
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