Answer to the Wednesday quiz – Both John Hartle and Geoff Duke were very good Trials riders the other person is Derek Minter also known as “The King of Brands” as he was hard to beat at Brands Hatch road race circuit. – As I’ve mentioned before – Duke was originally hired by Norton to ride Trials, and excelled in many events including the Scottish Six Day Trial. – I was fortunate to be in a Time Trial that he won near Chester, and also saw John Hartle at a few of our local Trials. – Hartle was killed Road Racing at Oliver’s Mount, but Duke became a World Champion before retiring to live in the Isle of Man. I saw Duke and Hartle race the incredible Gilera 4 cylinder bikes at Oulton Park.
Only Pete Varey got this correct
Quiz for Today – Name the rider, the guy watching him AND the location of this Trial ( Tricky)
We had a message yesterday from Tom Wictorin who lives in the New Denver area – unfortunately we were out at the time, but Tom told us that he still has the Sherco which we sold him way back -and still rides a bit but not so much as he used to ( sounds familiar) Later while going through old pics, I came across this one he took of me high up on a Mountain ridge in The Kootenay Valley where he and his buddy Nigel showed me the old mines in the area -( can’t remember but maybe Silver or copper) I’m guessing we were likely up around 7,000 ft at this point and definitely in the “Snow belt”
I was riding a Beta Rev 3 while Tom’s Sherco can be seen on the left of the pic
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Rain in the Valley today – what a strange season it is so far. – But of course great for people who have to travel. –
Reminds me of 1985 – I had to make a quick trip to the UK just before Christmas, as my mother was very ill, and they thought she was dying – Amazingly she pulled through as I sat by her bedside for two weeks, The carol singers were outside the house each night – quite amazing.
I caught a flight back to Canada a couple of days before Christmas, However the West Coast was all fogged in and few planes were getting in or out – to add to the issue, I was on Stand-by – as I was travelling on an open ticket, not knowing when I would return.
As I sat in the Vancouver departure lounge feeling very tired ( along with a lot of other people) I happened to see the crew walking towards the down ramp and recognized the Pilot as an old Trials buddy from Alberta days. – Catching his eye – I said Hello and he said “Are you on this one Dave?” – to which I replied I would like to be, but I’m on #32 Standby !! – Dave then said – OK show them your ticket and you can sit up front with us!!
The Aircraft was a 737 and I was shown to the seat behind Dave and given a headset. – It was still really foggy, but Dave said – there was a 747 going out ahead of us, and that should clear things – This it did and we took off into the dark foggy sky. – All the time I was listening to the chatter on my head phones. – Once we were up into clear air. Dave’s voice came on – saying – “So do I get a “clean” for that Dave ?” – I laughed and replied – “Well I’m sure glad you didn’t get a “Five”
That is a true story and I was able to get home to Kelowna on Christmas Eve. – Glad to say my Mum lived for another eighteen years. Passing away at age 93. in 2003 – And that is the last time I visited the UK.
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