Tuesday January 12th 2021
This is the beautiful Geoff Duke Manx Norton, which he was so successful on - I never did see him race this, but did see him on the Gilera 4 and of course had him pass me in the Picton Time Trial in the late 50’s -( He was a very good Trials rider) - also got to shake his hand when he attended the Oswestry Club Dinner and Presentation of wards - what a great man he was. He retired to the Isle of Man where he bought a Hotel. When he died, the Cortege drove all the way around the TT course, as a final tribute. ( Back in the 1949-1950’s - we used to listen to the TT races broadcast on the radio - the sound of the bikes was enough to get any enthusiast excited, young or old - the Commentator back then was Graham Walker, whose son Murray Walker took over when his Dad died)
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And how about this nice 1956 Prototype Norton - now in Sammy’s Museum
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Fixing a rear tire at Dakar - Toby price remembered to take his zip ties - he still got 2nd on the day. Unfortunately Toby had a big crash the following day and had to be airlifted to Hospital, it seems that lots of other riders also had a few “Get offs” including Sam Sutherland who joined the “Over the bars club” but despite wrecking his instruments - he made it through the day.
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This is an article on the early Trials bikes built for Eddie Legeune and his brother by their Dad - Eddie was one of the first to use the clutch on his small Honda -in order to get enough drive up steep sections. ( Later of course he became a Honda Factory rider and three time World Trials Champion)
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This is a shot of two riders at the 1959 Cleveland Trial in Yorkshire, UK, one of the most popular events on the British Trials Calendar - it featured a one loop 40 mile course with 40 sections. - It was these long distance similar events, riding over the Welsh moors that first attracted me to the sport - ( And still the main reason I like getting out on a Trials bike - anybody can do this and have a great day out)
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I see that the Trials enthusiasts in Nova Scotia are keen to get out for some practice - they have not had a lot of snow, and appear to have a great group. Michael Traves has been one of the main guys in promoting the sport in the area, and Steve Howland has supplied some Beta Trials bikes for some of their ” Learn to ride” events. The future looks good for Trials in the Maritimes.
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Here’s a Steve Troupe shot of Sparky Bill at an Ontario National Trial back in 1982 - Bill is on an SWM, ( Which he still has) Bill won the Canadian Trials Championship more than once, plus rode in the Scottish - I don’t think he rides much these days as he has some knee problems ( Don’t we all)
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Video for today - an interview with Johny Giles one of the great British “All Rounders” - Usually mounted on a Triumph Twin - >>>youtube.com Iconic Motorcycle Legends “John Giles” Interview This short interview with legendary off-road racer John Giles was filmed at the 2016 Classic Motocross DeNations event held at Ballyblack Northern Ireland on…
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