Answer to the last quiz – Renato Chiaberto – another regular World Round rider back in the day – All our usual bloggers got this. -Neil Pete, & Cam, from Ontario, Bob, Brett, Harlow from BC.
Quiz today – Who is the rider -on what bike and where? – Hint I took the pic in BC. and he has a funny accent.
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Here is a neat shot of a James rider on Devil’s Staircase in the Scottish – not used these days, as it’s classed as being too easy for the hoppers!! – I had an identical bike to that – it had a Villiers engine with 4 speed gearbox – an update from the usual 3 speed. – Notice that the ball ended levers were not yet mandatory, and he has a tire pump strapped to the rear subframe. – I took a lot of pics at that location in 1972.
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Another great Deryk Wylde pic of Sammy Miller on the famous Ariel GOV 132 ( Now in his museum) – it looks like that could be Ralph Venables in the left background in his “Duffle coat”
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Don’t forget – If you need Boots or riding gear – We can supply from stock, all at the usual low prices. – check out the ads on our site.
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Mud can be a real challenge and not many practice this
And another mud pic – this time it’s me taking a “5” in the first Alberta Long distance Trial in 1970 – I think everybody took the maximum on this section – I managed to take a rather surprising win in spite of this. ( Note the high front fender) – That is John Jenson left and Terry Healy helping me out of the big mud hole.
The reason that we post these various shots from the greatest days of Trials riding – is to show that anybody can take up the sport and have fun – but only if the local club, puts on events that are sensible.
Unfortunately, we have noticed many riders come out to a trial for the first time, not knowing what is expected of them, not knowing the rules, and unless one of the older riders, take them “Under his/her wing” they get totally disillusioned. – We never see them again.
The bottom line is that everybody needs to have fun – yesterday I watched a UK trials video of a “Classic” trial – they had a ton of riders, all on pretty immaculate twin shock bikes, and all enjoying some clean rides through what appeared to be very “straight forward” sections.
Looking back at events we have hosted over the decades in Canada – I know we ALWAYS tried to put in a few “Easy” sections – just to make everybody feel good.
Not that we always got it right – but the idea was there – remember I’m the guy that set up that first FIM Trial in Canada, back in 1975 – 69 mile loop – 40 sections – Mart Lampkin was heard to say “What does Dave think we are “Bloody Supermen” – Of course I heard this via the old fashioned 2 way radio- from way out on the course, and eased back on the difficulty – – yes everybody was happy at the end of the day. ( Rule is – You can’t change a section after somebody has ridden it)
Naturally most of the Club trials posted on You tube are very boring to watch – but as a rider we are sure they are all having FUN – and that is what it’s all about. – Trials at club level are not supposed to be a spectator sport.
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And finally – this just in – A pic sent us by helicopter pilot and long time Trials customer Chris Hrabb – It shows Joss Mountain as it is today. – The lookout is the pinpoint at the top – as you can see there is quite a drop down into Three Valley Gap. Ah ! yes the memories.
Thanks Chris for sharing these ( Psst Yes Chris has a TRS
And this is the Fire lookout in winter
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