Old men starting trial riding ? ? ?

[lebowski]

Rian

Not sure whether the Double Five are still meeting or you could try the Sidcup crew although they seem to be mostly MX at Canada Heights.

If you do find a Kent based bunch that can offer lots of practice, I could be persuaded.....

Helmet

Double Five are up and running although they mainly put on beginners trials, check out the site for a list of dates. Sidcup are indeed more MX based, but put on some very popular beginners trials, all at Canada Heights.

I'm a member of the Bexleyheath club who run a trial nearly every month and are very beginner friendly. No observers, always an 'easy' route.

Practice grounds are very few and far between, I end up driving for at least an hour and a half to get to one.... However, there is talk of someone sorting something soon....



This Sunday I'm riding at Hook Woods, near Guildford, at a practice day. It's a fantastic bit of ground, once used for the British Championship and Jim (the owner) has just started promoting it's use for everyone. Up until now it's been a bit restricted to local clubs and those who know.... Usually you get to watch the likes of Alexz Wigg, Ben Morphett or Jack Sheppard there practising....



There's also a trial on Sunday run by the Barham club at Bladbean and one at Horsmondon, but if I recall these are 'Combine' or area trials and therefore a bit harder, but worth having a look and meeting a few people.



Grizz and/or MH, if you're interested in coming along to a trial to have a watch, or you'd like to have a quick spin on my bike, or even to laugh at how useless this 50 year old can be after a whole year of riding trials, let me know, you're more than welcome....

And I've also got a Scorpa 250 that'll be for sale soon....



Jon

 

[lebowski]

I love trials riding. Best bit is you are usually only going a couple of mph so it doesn't hurt much when you fall off (unlike enduros...).

I'm also 48 but have been riding trials bike on and off since I was 14 when I bought a Sammy Miller radial finned Bultaco 250 Sherpa. I've had several trials bikes over the years but I'm still a crap useless trials rider.

I'm very lucky that I have my own 12acre woodland which is perfect for trials.

If anyone else wants to come and ride their trials bike in my woods in North Devon then they are very welcome. If there are enough tossers on here interested in trials I would be happy to run an event one weekend. Similar to Gentlemens Wee-kend but for trials bikes instead of airheads.

Anyone interested?

I am!

When can I/we come?



Jon

 

[pathfinder]

An old man at 48Do you ride a bmw?

 

[Grizz]

An old man at 48Do you ride a bmw?

Not a real old man, more a tongue in cheek way to find out from those who do not bounce as well as they used to, just how good it is.

 

[Grizz]

RIGHT......

As mentioned before. I have been thinking (which is often dangerous)

If I were to have only one bike, with a trailer to get it places, and the possibility of getting local-ish farmer/s to allow me to either ride in a bit of their woods or fields, and maybe even build some obstacles (Hey, I live in hope here)
If I then went as far as entering up to clubmans or club type competitions or just rides with some mates.

What type of bike would the clever money suggest?

I mean dual shock vs modern mono.

I mentioned before, I can keep a bike upright, but aint no Dougie Lampkin, or his dogs shadow

I need decent reliability, and some crash proofness of design.

Links to actual bikes for sale, or pics of what you are describing will be usefull too.

I am highly unfamiliar with the hardware in this market.

Also add in stuff like basic kit that is recommended and that which is required. As I saw a guy in bowtie and waist coat on a trials bike before.

Thanks all.


PS: Should be in garage fiddling with the BSA Bantam.....

Seen these.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/scorpa-easy-/110646631842?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item19c30d9da2

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SCORPA-250-TRIALS-BIKE-/270704815882?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item3f0743af0a

Shop here:
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/TOR-Moto-Uk


Also this one ?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MONTESA-COTA-...2747916?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item1c1940980c

 

[Popeye]

Grizz - that 2003 315r Montesa is a good bet.

Good solid bike, Honda build quality, spares readily available and will hold it's price pretty well if you decide it or the sport is not for you after all. It's not a "state of the art" bike but will do loads more than you will ever need it to.

Lightweight helmet, thin gloves (or if you're from Yorkshire no gloves!!) and a decent pair of boots, Gaerne, Alpinstar or Hebo.

Pair of levis and an old jumper and you're good to go

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Modern - Scorpa 250 (Yam) Montesa 315R - post 2002 (Honda) or a Beta 250 Rev3 ..............all 2 stroke

Twinshock - Yam TY175 or Fantic - you could buy a Spanish Bultaco or Montesa, but they don't suit everyone or if your flash a Honda TLR, but it's a dog to ride without some serious conversion work

Modern will be easier to ride

 

[darkhorse]

I wish I would have kept my TLR Seeley Honda now, spent most nights playing down the Glen Helen when we lived there. Thats back in early 80's.

 

[darkhorse]

Traded it in for this on my 16th

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

I wish I would have kept my RS200 Seeley Honda now, spent most nights playing down the Glen Helen when we lived there. Thats back in early 80's.

That would be £3k now

I remember competing against them in the 80's - good bikes

 

[Popeye]

I wish I would have kept my TLR Seeley Honda now, spent most nights playing down the Glen Helen when we lived there. Thats back in early 80's.

Blimey Dave, you had a Seeley Honda when you were 16 - I had a Greeves Anglian with banana forks and no compression Weighed about 4 tons and I had to push it 21/2 miles down the road to my mates farm where we used to practice.

Happy days tho'

 

[Keith Chapman]

Grizz, here is a site that is worth looking at.
trialscentral

 

[darkhorse]

That would be £3k now

I remember competing against them in the 80's - good bikes

I wouldn't mind getting one again for old time sake. But not at 3k.

 

[Grizz]

Grizz - that 2003 315r Montesa is a good bet.

Good solid bike, Honda build quality, spares readily available and will hold it's price pretty well if you decide it or the sport is not for you after all. It's not a "state of the art" bike but will do loads more than you will ever need it to.

Lightweight helmet, thin gloves (or if you're from Yorkshire no gloves!!) and a decent pair of boots, Gaerne, Alpinstar or Hebo.

Pair of levis and an old jumper and you're good to go

Thanks Popeye, and JohnnyBoxer,

JB, no conversion etc, I want an easy "plug and play" type bike.


Popeye, being a typical Saffa, ATGATT is not our first concern however, I have a ruptured saphenas vein in my right shin to show for kickstarting an IT250 downhill, and 2 weeks with leg elevated, due to all the blood in my leg an foot so I will use some stuff.
I have some Sidi Couriers which are soft and nicely run in, loads of various gloves incl thin summer stuff, and will need to get a decent helmet. I have some riding/mx type trousers that cost me little at a closing down sale Other than that, I guess and wooly jumper will complete the picture.

Darkhorse Dave, have not seen you for some years now, but all the pics and how you looked the last time I saw you look like the same pic.....

 

[Grizz]

Grizz, here is a site that is worth looking at.
trialscentral

Thanks Keith, straight onto it now.

 

[Keith Chapman]

Get a proper trials helmet, normal open face helmets tend not to allow you to lift your head enough, cos the back hits your neck. Don't worry if you cant find an ACU stamp on a trials helmet, they are not needed. MX jeans and gloves are fine. Your Sidi's will be OK for starters too.

 

[Crapaud]

Got my trials bike out yesterday but its been a bit unloved in recent months as I've been using KTM enduro bike instead.

Filled it with fuel but it just flowed straight out through carb overflow. Decided it needed a good strip down after a winter of neglect.

Carb was very full of crap so it has been completely stripped and all cleaned out.

Spent a few hours in the woods this afternoon with the chain saw trying to cut out some decent routes to use.

How does end of March sound for a Trials Weekend in North Devon? It would be relatively easy sections although the wood is very boggy in places with a stream running through it. If needs be I'm sure we could create some more complex sections if anyone wants it.

The important thing is that it would be a friendly fun event. Dougie Lampkin types need not apply. More for fat old tossers.

 

[chad]

i might pop down to watch yous but a lump like me would look bloody funny trying to ride one of those

 

[BlueBird]

Got my trials bike out yesterday but its been a bit unloved in recent months as I've been using KTM enduro bike instead.

Filled it with fuel but it just flowed straight out through carb overflow. Decided it needed a good strip down after a winter of neglect.

Carb was very full of crap so it has been completely stripped and all cleaned out.

Spent a few hours in the woods this afternoon with the chain saw trying to cut out some decent routes to use.

How does end of March sound for a Trials Weekend in North Devon? It would be relatively easy sections although the wood is very boggy in places with a stream running through it. If needs be I'm sure we could create some more complex sections if anyone wants it.

The important thing is that it would be a friendly fun event. Dougie Lampkin types need not apply. More for fat old tossers.

I'm in let me know the dates so I can arrange to be onshore.

 

[Grizz]

i might pop down to watch yous but a lump like me would look bloody funny trying to ride one of those

250 miles and 5 hrs from my place according to AA Routeplanner......

Could be a nice day or two out though.