outlawtrials.com

Quiz - Who is this on the Bultaco Sherpa T ?

Answer to the yesterday quiz - US rider Lane Leavitt in Scotland 1980 - riding a Montesa  which was unusual for him as he was normally on a Bultaco. - Brett got in early with the correct response followed by Harlow, and Pete Varey.
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When I wrote the article on Trials from the  1950’s in England - I forgot to mention that the events were always one long loop with riders only tackling  the sections once.  Sometimes with the large entry - this would mean that some sections would get harder while some easier as the day went on. Weather was always a big factor - - Riders would need to send in their entry via mail for the big events which were often called Nationals, and as these often used the same route each year, many top riders knowing the terrain, would try to get a better starting position by either getting their entry in early, or holding off until later. - There are many stories of the “Games” played by these experts - with them sometimes  “hanging about” at a section until a rock lodged in a bad spot, was dislodged by one of the regular club riders.  Of course this could sometimes backfire on them, causing them to lose points on time. ( Yes all the big events had a time limit)

The first Trial that I rode in Wales as a lad was 70 miles long and I remember I lost 72 points - unfortunately I do not have a copy of the results.
We held a long loop 40 section Outlaw Trial at Summerland one year, which went over very well - but of course it took a lot of work. - I recall Mark ONeill and others   saying how much they enjoyed it.  ( Unlike the UK- the loop was only 25km)
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This is a great shot by Heath Brindley showing a typical section used at the Welsh Round of the British Championship  last weekend, - not sure who the TRS rider is maybe Chris Stay, or Jaimie Galloway.

Lots of comments on this event with  everybody liking the traditional sections ( ie: not man-made obstacles)

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Katie stopped by yesterday to pick up some parts and we chatted about both her plans to ride in the Trial des Nations in September, but also about the Tuesday night Trials sessions planned for the local club. -  We will be helping out when possible.

The Teams will be glad of any support to help out with the huge cost of participating. ( It’s in France)

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And here’s one for the ladies - no name or caption but it’s an Evo 125.

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The month of April usually brings showers - and also other months in places - so having some Wulf.Rain gear makes a lot of sense  ( we wear it ourselves - it stows away small in a bakpak)  very affordable at $70.00 a set.  - Note Limited sizes & colors in stock. give us a call.

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Quiz - Who and where?

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So here we are heading into April , with Easter not too far away - a few years ago we always had a “Get-together” at Summerland over the long weekend - some riders came out fro the Coast for a camp out and fun time, riding the old Outlaw loop - obviously the weather was always a factor, but we  often had quite a group, and sometimes were able to show off new bikes.  In 2016 Bob brought out the very first TRS  to hit our shores, and like they say “the rest is history”

Here is a pic I took of Ross Rathbone at one of these Easter Parades - We just got word that his new 2023 Factory Beta has arrived in Canada - it will be his 16th Beta - I guess you could say he likes them.

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The new mag is out with more good reading about Emily’s adventures

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Quote I heard “I’m so old - I can remember when World Trials was interesting.
.Yes I know some new to Trials, might be confused if they click onto the videos showing what the Euros call Xtrials - they even refer to the events  being a “Race” - No wonder they often fast forward to another sport. - with words like “I can’t do that”
.As many old timers will remember -  Trials events  were invented at the turn of the Century in Jolly old England, with long distance courses. - riders usually started at  one minute intervals and followed a pre -marked  loop over rough back roads which had numerous big hill climbs, - riders lost points on these natural obstacles, and at the end of the day the rider with the lowest score was the winner. ( remember these were all rigid frames back then) -

While we won’t go into too much detail from the prewar events - after the second world war - Trials once again was the most popular sport, as riders used their every day transport to compete at the weekends. ( most events had close to 100 riders)
Most Trials in the UK started from a Pub yard - and again riders were dispatched at one minute intervals, - the loops at that time were all around 70- 100 miles, with approx 30-40 observed sections. - The course consisted of ordinary Country roads, with detours through farm land and moorland crossings, which all featured a variety of Observed sections, with muddy gullies being a favorite. All the riders rode the same loop and the same sections. ( This is still how it is at the Scottish Six Days)
A time limit was imposed, plus usually a couple of special tests to act as tie breakers. - the long course helped to thin out the riders, and avoid too many  delays. - The events were very much an individual sport, and often you would not see many riders along the way - no big backlogs at sections etc.

After clocking off back at the finish, many would stop in the pub for a pint and a chat, before heading home, with no idea who had won - you saw the results in the newspaper the following week, but also received a copy in the mail, along with any award which you had won.

It is our opinion that Trials run in this fashion were the very best then - and could be the very best now with a bit more effort. ( Note : Some UK events still follow this format)  -
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A nice Heath Brindley pic of Chris Stay (TRS) at the Welsh Trial - he finished   2nd in his class.

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We mentioned in a previous blog, about Trials riders jumping ship over to Enduro events - After thinking about this, I remember that after setting up the FIM World Trial in 1975 - I finished up the year on the TY 175 competing in Trials, but then switched over to Cross Country Racing in 1976. - Of course Yamaha brought out the new IT 400 that year, but I think I had also got a bit bored with Trials and just wanted to try something different, plus another factor, was traveling   every week allowed no time for practice, which is essential for Trials Competition, if you want to do well.
I continued doing the knobby tire thing  up until 1985, when a move to the Okanagan in 1981 was followed by meeting up with local Trials enthusiast Barry Van As - With no Trials events being held in the area at that time, we started putting some on, with the new TY mono arriving on the scene adding a lot of interest. - I have told the story before of how we were able to boost the interest in the sport, and although a lot has changed since then - the memories are still quite vivid.  ( We would host as many as 6-8 events per year just in the OK Valley including numerous National Trials)
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Answer to the Sunday quiz -Marland Whaley (Mont) at the Scottish - Pete Varey was the only one to get it. - (Brett got it after googling it up)
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Quiz - Who is this rider??

Answer yesterday Steve Saunders - Pete Varey & Brett got in early with the correct response followed by Harlow, and Steve ORorke - some thought it was Eddie Lejuene who rode the other Rothman’s Honda.

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Here is a nice example of the Ariel 500 Trials bike, made famous by the great Sammy Miller - my brother in law had one in Wales back in the 50’s, which I sometime had a ride on - but only around town - too heavy for me in sections - it was neat.

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Results from the latest Hop & bop.

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The warmer weather has certainly stirred up the interest in riding - We had a very busy Saturday with shoppers looking for Bikes and gear, plus parts.

Later I relaxed and clicked onto that great movie “Battle of Britain”  on Roku. - Amazing to think that we grew up in the UK during those times, when the Nazi regime came so close to invading England. - My Dad moved us to Wales from the Wirral area ( later heavily bombed) before he went in the army - and Bab’s Dad moved her family to Wales from London, before he enlisted. - Both our parents survived the war.

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Looks like Jack Peace won the St David’s Trial in Wales today with young Harry Hemingway 2nd & Billy Green 3rd - will post full results tomorrow.

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This was posted on FB and it occurred to me that this has sometimes been the case with a few Motorcycle clubs !!

The FIM have just come out with yet more rules for World Trials - still trying to fix a broken system. ( Poor Theirry Michaud)
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A hiccup from the quiz was pointed out to me by Turk Perepalkin and John Kitchener- the Greeves was not a church model       ( Anglican)  but was called the Anglian - named I think after East Anglia in the UK. - !! Good to see our regular readers, keeping me honest!!
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Don’t forget we still have lots of Wulf Trials stuff in stock Helmets, boots, pants & shirts, jackets & rain gear (limited)  gloves ALL at very   low prices and the quality is superb - We use and test everything we sell and if it doesn’t cut the mustard !! we don’t sell it.

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An interesting pic - not sure where, but it appears a spectator is helping out by grabbing the front wheel of the Ossa.

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Another Ossa pic  Mick winning the 1972 Scottish ( yes I was there that year)

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While there is a lot of talk these days, about Trials riders moving to Enduro - this is not anything new - in fact back in the years after World War Two - riders would often compete in all aspects of Motorcycle Sport - ( sometimes using the same bike)

In the USA famous Flat Track racers, would be required to also compete in Road Racing  in order to gain AMA points,  - while in Canada - it was quite normal for Trials riders, to compete in Cross Country racing. ( Often using Trials bikes)

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I see there are 7 Canadian Trials riders from Quebec taking in the NATC Trial this weekend in the States - We wish them luck.

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And a comment from TRS - we agree totally as this bike has been a top seller for us for the past three years.

The new TRRS XTRACK RR 2023 is the perfect bike for trial excursion enthusiasts. A very versatile bike concept that adapts to a wide range of users.

It stands out for its reliability, power and lightness, to tackle excursions and even high-level sections. It is the best choice for those demanding adventurers looking for high performance, high autonomy, and greater comfort.

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And finally - A comment from the KTM boss. >>

The KTM boss speaks

He didn’t mince his words Real bikers don’t buy electric bikes! ?

Although you may not be able to read this article - I urge you to click on MCN for more info - Simply put - it says that Gas powered vehicles and Motorcycles will still be on the market after 2035..

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https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fow.ly%2F6PF950No9he%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR3CIySodsqoDKhDMS7PvuPR_58Ga_clu40aqWgYZzvgtvBENRNsxBeno-g&h=AT0juez9WMzNL_xBRM1jKIYwAXoLllJp2z6g_F8IZDoUM4bGWtblGDHs_QeliM7mfnMgDrtztGchWv7a_nYLfXZVqvqWGccub_WuIoIodCAasTLpHLyUjKqi5MeIW5qTeg&__tn__=-UK-R&c[0]=AT0ekOwnpF3cFYCdHBf6D__KQ-eD7SjrHRdnXKiFVO2JPgk1UF5fMstQulWWZXwGXawf5DpC1EBaR7Kd9VyRkUM_HXoyarW6kSXiJpo8VkRVuJGUMx1dT5LUCO90bcoVzO7ELMlivISW3iEI5k6KVt9XDfolpgnLoAdX7RCRGDJaCdWcXh4AhrZd-8LbNAXLKe6ScoCoki1xIFLiQdoIIVlM5o7DZpv1i-RkhT

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The “New” BSA Bantam’s now seen at most Classic events certainly look nice, but likely cost ten times what the original model did. ( Back in the 50’s we called them “The gutless wonders”

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Check this out

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A reminder of when we all wore Barbour suits with a belted jacket which everybody used for the rear number. -making it easier for the Observer -  In the Scottish Six Days Trial - machines always used to have rear side number plates, but I don’t think they require that anymore.

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Answer to the last quiz - Mary Driver on a Greeves Anglican - she was a regular at Trials in the UK and also rode in the Scottish Six Days and the  ISDT. ( When it was called Trial)
Brett, Harlow, Pete Varey and Peter from OZ all got it correct.

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This weekend is Round two of the British Championship  - Hopefully they will have better weather.

Not Trials - but can you imagine driving or riding this?

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Weather  in the Valley is looking up with temperatures in the teens - we know a few of the riders from the South have been out for a few weeks now , with Gord Rinke reporting he is loving his new 2023 TRS. - As an old codger, I can only envy, and look back on my younger days when we would be out riding in all the early weather, snow, rain or mud.

Here is a shot from last Sunday when a couple of local lads were out enjoying the sunshine. The factory Beta belongs to Vernon  rider Mike Phillips.

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Answer to the last quiz - Bernie Schreiber - an easy one for Brett- Harlow, Steve ORorke and Pete Varey

And one for today - Who- what and where??  Hint - one of the great English Lady riders.

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Here’s a couple of beauties !!

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Terry Bainbridge posted these old results from a Kamloops event from 1978 - some really good riders on that list - and although we have lost Al Perrett, we still keep in touch with Walter Cukavac - you may also see the name Ted Blow - better known for being involved with Trials and the CPTA plus Ron Walsh, and Ross Rathbone’s brother Tony who won Junior.

Terry Bainbridge bought a Beta Trials bike from us a few years ago, and also joined us on one of our Joss Mountain Expeditions. -

We later signed Bernie Graffunder for our 1983  Yamaha Canada ISDE Team and he was part of the squad who finished 2nd overall in the Silver Vase. ( Now called the junior Trophy)  ( Yes Bernie was the guy who joked at breakfast after day #2, saying “Now I know why Dave told us to practice riding Muskeg”)

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