Tuesday February 5th 2019
There were a lot of Trials events cancelled in the UK last weekend because of the snow - mainly road conditions getting to the area. - However, here is one that did go and it shows a young lad ( don’t know his name) but who picked up a new Beta Evo Factory 125 a couple of days before, and finished just a couple of points behind Dan Thorpe who took the win. !! ( Neat looking section)
We have never had the chance to ride a 125 Evo - mainly because they were not available in Canada, but this year they are !! - The only issue is that the Evo 200 is such a giant killer, that most people will opt for that, as we have no 125cc class in Canadian Trials ( at least at the moment)
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Just saw this blast from the past - it shows the motley crew from the Ontario region - sorry don’t have their names, but we seem to have made some really good contacts with the Eastern Provinces recently, many who want to host WTC Trials. ( I’m sure Jamie McGregor can name all these guys)
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Another topic that has been mentioned a couple of times - has been the high cost of modern Trials bikes, and yes a top model will now cost you over ten grand with freight & taxes. However, I would like to say that one of the Spanish/Japanese bikes has been about $14 for a few years. -( and they haven’t been updated much since 2005)
What I like to add, is that buying a Trials bike, is like an investment - most riders will not be throwing their new toy at 12 foot walls, so even if the passion wains - if the better half says - “YOU BETTER - It’s me or your toy “- then the chances are you will still be able to get a good price for that “Lightly used” machine - think of it almost like “Renting” ( Of course most Trials enthusiasts would be single after any such discussion)
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Today I had yet another person phone me looking for parts for his Montesa - I told him that his local dealer (where he bought the bike) should be able to supply ! - Sorry he said they don’t have anything & not interested. ( He was only looking for brake pads plus some accessories) I send all the Montesa customers to Cascade in Mission - Don can usually help.
I know I keep harping on this subject, but there are very few ( Duncan in Vancouver is one) regular big store dealers, who will look after ( or indeed know anything about) trials customers.
While there are some folk who think Trials should be “BIG” - after being involved since 1955, I have to tell you that “It’s a very special Sport” - To the people and organizations (FIM) who are trying to promote Trials almost like a Formula One event - I say - best find another job, because it ‘aint gonna happen.
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I noticed a post regarding having Trials bikes in the Olympics ??? ( Electric)
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For me the attraction of motorcycling will always be the sound of the engines - back in the day we used to smell Castrol R - which was used in all the road race bikes. ( Back then they didn’t know about Opti) - The memories of 4-8 cylinder screaming engines fills my brain from road races in the 50’s
So electric bikes for me will likely never happen - we sold a few Beta electric kids bikes - but discontinued when parts became an issue. - However we still think that for the kids this is a great idea and Oset have done a great job in both promoting and supporting this class. ( BTW Your Oset dealer is Lee Usher in Nelson BC)
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Road Racing has always been of interest to me - back in the day I dearly wanted to “give it a go”- ordered a new Ducati 125 - but had to cancel due to family issues, However, I still did my own thing - blasting around the Welsh Countryside on my hopped up Norton Dominator ( Likely a hell of a lot more dangerous)
This pic shows Canadian Dave Wildman at a Vancouver are race. ( Manx Norton’s were popular back then)
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In case you missed this - as you know if you are a regular reader - I love Motorcycles and airplanes.
Captain Rosemary Bryant Mariner in 1990. | Smithsonian Institution / Public Domain Captain Rosemary Mariner passed away on January 24th after a long battle with cancer. She was just 65 years old.
Considered a trailblazer for women pilots, she was the United State’s first female fighter pilot. Not only that, she was also the first woman to command a squadron. In her career, she flew a total of 15 different aircraft and logged 3500 flight hours. Despite constant opposition, she was a fiercely skilled pilot who got both what she wanted and deserved.
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