seen together in scotland photo: mick brown · bad for new boys - dick normally rode solos under...
TRANSCRIPT
Page 1
May has been a very sad month forthe motorcycle community in this partof the country. As I expect you areaware we lost two of our ‘characters’,Chris Bater and Trevor Rumsey. I hada phone call from Chris on the eve ofhis trip to New Zealand and he wasvery much looking forward to itwithout, to my knowledge, any hint asto what was to happen within a veryshort time. Trevor, meanwhile hadbeen unwell for quite some time andshowed great courage in not allowingthe intense pain he was sufferingfrom, diminishing his spirit or slowingdown his activities. We have lost twogreat characters and I am sure youwill join me in sending ourcondolences to their respectivefamilies.
I have been somewhat curtailed inmy attendance at events this pastmonth or so as I am suffering from asever lack of ability to balance/standup - no it has nothing to do with the
demon drink but a problem that Ihave had since childhood which isbecoming more aggressive as I getolder. This means that I did notattend either funeral or the trials at GtBromley and Lamarsh.
From all accounts the Charity trialwas most successful and Mick hasutilised this months Dabbers Diary togive a run down on the event and thesponsorship outcome. Personally Ifeel a little disappointed that the trialhad to be held at Bromley Brookrather than in the grounds of SevenRivers as I know the residents havelooked forward to the entertainment -but I suppose it kept the farmerhappy.
Following on from my commentsregarding the Eastern Centre Pre-70Championship in last months T&T,we were prompted to write to theCompetitions Committee regardingour feelings. This we did and havereceived a reply from David Cordle,the chairman of the aforementionedcommittee, but writing whilst wearinghis Trial Recorder hat. Seems that the
Seen together in Scotland photo: Mick Brown
Page 2 Issue 182 May 2009
Comps Committee are not minded todo anything about the failure tocomply with the rules as nobody hasprotested. Well, thought that we had,by writing to the Comps Committee.There is a very subtle differencebetween a protest and an appeal. Oneprotests about a decision and thenone appeals if the decision proves notto be acceptable.
I have today received the resultsfrom the Pre65 MX Club’s trial whichwas held at Lamarsh and notice thatthe ‘rogue’ machine was re-classifiedby the organisers as a twin shock.Surely the Eastern Centre should takenote and follow suit! I am not certainwhether I was expected to include the
results with this copy of T&T or notbut I am afraid that the bulk of theT&T had already been completedbefore receiving the results. The clubextends its thanks to all who observedand rode at the event.
Did you witness Ray Gibb’s‘departure’ following Trevor’s funeral -rumour has it that chuckling washeard from the direction of Trevor’sgrave!
My thanks once again to CliveDopson and Jack Knoops for thereport on the Pre-65 Scottish.
Best wishes,
Jim
Please Note:The closing date by which all articles and adverts to be included in the next issueof Trials & Tribulations should reach the editorial office is normally the 25th of themonth preceding publication.Material for inclusion in the magazine may be supplied in the following forms:
handwritten • typed • computer hard copy • fax • email • floppy discIf providing computer hard copy, a font size of 12pt minimum is preferred whilstarticles supplied on floppy disc or sent via email should preferably be saved in textor RTF format.
email: [email protected]
The June PlonkaroundRaydon Pit, Wades Lane, Raydon, Suffolk (Grid Ref TM043389)
Saturday 6th June 2009Gates will be open at noon.
Trials practise for:Pre 65 solos • Pre 65 sidecars • Twin Shocks
Youths/Juniors • Twin Shock sidecars
Page 3
On Sunday 10th May Trevor Rumsey lost his long fight with cancer.Trevor never complained and retained his strength of character until the
end.Grasstrack, trials, road riding and especially in later years sprinting,
Trevor held class records and won awards right up until last year, almostalways on a BSA single or twin.
An engineer and frame builder often making or modifying components todo a job rather than buying in parts, Trevor was never short of ingenious.
VMCC runs, the sprint season and other gatherings like our annualpilgrimage to the Scottish 6 Day Trials, will be missing one of their greatcharacters from now on.
Trevor's funeral was held at Sudbourne church on Friday 15th May andwas attended by around 250 people, a procession of up to 50 bikes followedthe hearse from Sudbourne Village Hall to the church including numerous EFAmembers.
Our thoughts are with Trevor's son Mark and daughter-in-law Tina, he willbe sorely missed.
Ray and Mark Gibb
WANTED (URGENTLY)Set of stabilisers for NSU Quickly
contact:Ray Gibb
Page 4 Issue 182 May 2009
This and That!!
As most of you know, two good friends of the club and the motorcycle scenepassed away in May. Both of them were Suffolk residents - Trevor Rumseyfrom birth and Chris Bater an import from Devon. Both respected gentlemanwho are missed. More elsewhere in this edition. The club was well representedat both funerals.
On the trials scene, several members were among the 58 competitors at theDabbers trial at Little Thetford, Ely on the 10th. Sensible sections, a pleasantlocation. Jim Shepherd lost one to head the mono dabbers. Chris Canhamtried hard in the pre-70 experts as did Gary Eaves in the twin shock experts.Chris Chapman and Jim Mason had midfield finishes in the pre-70 Dabberclass.
On the 16th, 58 bodies presented themselves at Bromley Brook for the ACTCharity bash - not exactly the same 58 as the previous week - but similar! Whata great occasion, weather, good selection of sections, smiling observers andofficials!! and food! And a great raffle courtesy of many ladies and gents.Thank you all. The results (elsewhere in this edition) speak volumes for theeffort and expertise from both the riders and section plotters. What wasnoteworthy was the effort of Bob Drane - gone is the heavy Greeves now on thesponsored AS Trivil plus NJB TrikShox - we're watching you!!
The Dabbers have a two-day trial at Ashdon near Saffron Walden with anevening of barbecue in between the 27th and 28th June starts at 1pm onSaturday and 10:30 on Sunday - visit www.dabberstrialsclub.co.uk for furtherdetails. Happy days!
Back in time to 2nd March 1975. Sudbury ran the second round of the 75British trials sidecar championships title of the East Anglian National Trial.Barry Chaplin was clerk of the course with Pat Keyes as secretary of themeeting. A tough outing resulting in Mark Kemp (250 JAS Montesa) winning
Page 5
English signs in foreign countries -On the door of a Moscow
hotel room:
IF THIS IS YOUR FIRST VISIT TO THEUSSR, YOU ARE WELCOME TO IT
Quotes Taken from Performance Evaluations:
“Donated his body to science before he was done using it.”
the premier on 91 with Mick Bowers (350 Bultaco) on 118 and Tony Davis(250 Suzuki) on 119. Also on 119 was Allen Collier on his 250 HubbardYamaha and finished fourth. Roger Finch collected the Geoff Revett Trophy(rider not previously having won an award in a national) on 145 riding a 325Bultaco. John Kendall also on 119 topped the first class award list. DaveSpurgeon and Sidge Kenny both on Bultacos were on 171 and collected secondclass awards. Tell us the story lads!! Please, Jim needs the copy!! Winning thechairs, Alan Lampkin (Dougie's uncle) and Brian Holder (325 Bultaco) - twostrokes reigned!! 64 solo starters and 31 sidecars - WOW!! Amongst the manywho rode were sidecar legend Jack Matthews, George Greenland, JohnTurner, Peter Pesterfield, Colin Hare, 'Ginger' Budd, and Terry Mussett.Several current members partook and treated it all as experience and pressedon!
Some popped up at Braintree's second inter club trial on 16th March. 15sections at two venues - Purles Hill Woods and Beazley End Pits. Three lapsbut not easy. 11 chairs, 57 solos. Eddie Cordle on his Montesa found grip andflickability winning the premier on 38 while Allen Collier finished on 45, JohnKendall 58 and Roger Finch 6. 'Dusty' Eric Miller and Keith Rayner won thesidecar premier on 50 riding a 325 Bultaco from John Turner and Reg Miller500 Matchless whilst best intermediate was Mike Harden and A N Othernaturally on the Ariel losing 84 (all dabs!!). Best novice was Dick Hobart andBob Barnard on a 500 Triumph losing 142 (lots of dabs and a few fives) notbad for new boys - Dick normally rode solos under the CDAC banner. IanWheeler, who regularly rides today, was the last second class award winner,Ossa mounted, and member of the popular Essex and Suffolk Border club.
The spring trial, courtesy Sudbury MCC, provided a testing course on 13thApril. 76 starters, the last being NJB who managed several fives to clock atotal of 68 losing the novice award to Richard Snowden on furthest clean. Bestof the CDAC contingent was Mick Denny (21) and taking a second class awardahead of Dave Spurgeon (22) Nick Robinson (27) Roger Finch (28) Ian Wheeler(28) Sidge Kenny (30) John Lonergan (31).
Those were the days - make the most of yours. Enjoy the biking, Tim'sTours, wrinkly runs, what ever.
Use your mirrors!!
Page 6 Issue 182 May 2009
By now most of you will have heard of the sad passing of Trevor Rumsey andChris Bater. Ian and I felt that we had lost two friends who despite all theleg-pulling and mickey-taking we held a great regard for.
Trevor was either riding or fettling or racing his machines. All BSAs ofcourse! He had suffered terribly over the past few years, but such was hisdetermination that while he was able to get on a bike he would, and was stillsprinting up to a few months ago
Big Chris, always laughing and telling jokes. Good fun to be with whethersetting out trials or riding or what ever you were doing at that time. A great bearof a man but with a heart of gold. He had a shed full of bikes and seldom rodethe same one twice. "I'm here for a bit of fun gal!" he'd say at the section, "I don'tworry if I dab a bit!"
Motorcycling has lost two great characters whose enthusiasm was inspiring.We, compared to some of you, only knew them for a few years but we havememories of both of them that we can smile about.
I'm sure we speak for all the members of the EFA when we send ourcondolences to their respective families.
Ian and Sylvia Preedy
Villiers 150 parts requiredPeter Eaves
01245 353297WA
NT
ED
Page 7
Bumper StickersWhy is "abbreviation" such a long word?
email: [email protected]
Plonkers TrialSunday 28th June 2009
Sheepcoates Lane, Gt. Totham, Nr. Maldon, EssexStart at 11:00 am
Entries accepted at the startA Trial for:
Pre 65 solos • Pre 65 sidecars • Twin ShocksYouths/Juniors • Twin Shock sidecars
Outside Bristol Zoo there is a carpark for150 cars and 8 coaches. There also used to bea very pleasant attendant with a ticket machinecharging cars £1 and coaches £5.
This parking attendant worked there for allof 25 years, then one day he just didn't turn upfor work...
"Ho hum," said Bristol Zoomanagement, "better phone up the CityCouncil and get them to send a new parkingattendant."
"Err no," said the Council, "that carpark is yourresponsibility."
"Err no," said Bristol Zoo management, "the attendantwas employed by the City Council, wasn't he?"
"Err NO!"
Living in Spain is a bloke who had been taking daily the carpark fees atBristol Zoo amounting to an estimated £400 per day for the last 25 years...
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Page 10 Issue 182 May 2009
Preparing the Norton for Scotland this year was verysimple. Although the Talmag Trial was much harder thannormal, it was completed without problems and then thesame for the traditional shake-down event at Blaxhall onGood Friday, so it was just change the oil and fit a new reartyre. This was quite lucky, as I was busy with work andstruggling to repair the Douglas. Matthew Neale had theDouglas chain come off in the Talmag Trial causing it tocartwheel back down the section bending the frame andbreaking the gearbox. For the first time we decided to hire a van for theweekend. This was useful when James Newstead decided he could not take uphis ride in Scotland, so the spare space in the van was used to honour acommitment he had made to deliver a KTM to Fort William.
The journey north on the Thursday was uneventful. Matthew and I were inthe hire van and twice we saw Brian Neale and Roy Ayres, who were travellingin Brian’s van to observe both the Pre’65 two day trial and the six day trial. Wesigned on in Kinlochleven and met Gary Wright who was also riding a Norton500T. He had contacted me, as he had a very standard bike and needed adviceabout what modifications to make for his first ever ride in Scotland. Wearrived at the hotel below Ben Nevis and, after a quick swim, met the othersfor dinner. There were only four fordinner, as my mother and sister werenot in Scotland this year and Trevorand Rachel Harvey were not arrivinguntil Saturday.
Friday morning started very wetand after breakfast we travelled toKinlochleven in the rain and as usualparked on the site of the demolishedaluminium works. After some fettlingof the bikes and studying theweather, I decided to wear fullwaterproof Gortex trousers last usedon the same day in 2005. Matthewand I then rode towards the startramp via the café, where,traditionally we have a cup of tea anduse the facilities. As requested, wepresented our bikes for scrutineeringfifteen minutes before our starttimes. The scrutineering for ourbikes seemed very casual, butapparently the organisers werestricter with some of the more
by Clive Dopson
Gary Wright photo: Jack Knoops
Part 1
Page 11
CREATIVE PUNS FOR "EDUCATED MINDS" I thought I saw an eye doctor on an
Alaskan island, but it turned out to bean optical Aleutian .
developed machinery. Mick Wilkinsonwas riding his Francis Barnett for thefirst time in a few years, he askedwhat was in my rucksack and he saidhis tool kit consisted of a mobiletelephone and a ten pound note. Wequeued up as two lines, one for oddnumbers and one for even numbers,to ride up the ramps at the prescribedtime to start. Dave Thorpe wasstarting on the same minute as me.When we were next to ride up the
ramps, I said would hold his bike ifhe wanted to give his ramp a kick, hedid not see the funny side, butMatthew laughed.
We set off, with probably six hoursriding in the rain in front of us, toLoch Eilde Burn via the bridgebehind the aluminium works. Thereason for this was obvious later. Thefirst section was very tricky, therewere not many cleans. After a bit oflooking I went first and had a cleanride until a big stop and five, Matthewhad a nervous two. We both cleaned thesecond, although I was off line. Graham Hutcheson was riding his father Dick’s
Mick Wilkinson photo: Jack Knoops
Graham Hutcheson photo: Jack Knoops
Page 12 Issue 182 May 2009
Matchless and was just in front of us;he was struggling in his first attemptat the pre’ 65 and then was also doingthe six days again. The normal routeis to go up Loch Eilde Path, but thisyear we went to Man Brec (Lower) viathe old village hall. The single sectionwas cleaned before we climbed to thehotel and then along the Land Rovertrack past the top of Loch Eilde Pathto four sections at Leacann Na Faire.The first double sub-section startedup a sloping rock face in a fast flowingstream and luckily I cleaned both.Chris Haigh was going well in his firstride in the trial on a very niceVelocette he had built in the previoustwelve months. The second doublewas tricky and I had a three in the lastpart, Matthew had a dab, for which hewas strangely given a three when wesaw the results. The difficult ride toand up Meall Na Cruaidhe followedand I think I had a steady dab. The
second part of Meall Na Cruidhe was very difficult in a narrow twisty stream,two sessions of footing were needed.
When we arrived at Coire Na Cruaidhe the water was frighteningly deep andanother two threes followed, I think Matthew had two good rides here. Manyriders got lost on the next cross country section but we knew if we followed theflags we should arrive just below the dam. On the way I stopped to talk toHarry Stanistreet, who had a collapsed rear wheel bearing on his rigid James,and would have to retire. Two sections on the solid rock followed; the first wasvery simple, the second was very unlike a pre’65 section, a step up and over arock ridge then a turn and up a square edged rock step. I was clean to thestep but 1% too slow, so I was given a five after lots of pushing and lifting,Matthew had a dab turning before the step, and we both could and shouldhave cleaned. The run down by the side of the pipeline followed to the Pipelinesections, on the way we saw two trail bikes. I tried to persuade one to turnaround but he was determined to carry on against the traffic. Pipeline was aswet as it had ever been; even the first sub was taking marks. It was obvious theimprovement in engines, gear ratios and suspension was allowing an evergrowing number of riders to feel confident enough to use second gear. In firstgear I cleaned the first and got half way through the second feet up before,whilst dabbing, the front end lifted and swung to the right. A stop quicklyfollowed and I was determined to restart, this took a while then I managed tocreep up the extreme right side just footing steadily with my right foot, if thetop section was the same on Saturday I thought this line might be useful. The
Chris Haigh photo: Jack Knoops
Page 13
drop down from the top of Pipeline was as bad as usual before riding toAluminium Works sections, which were not in the normal place, but further upthe stream. Probably this was in case the normal sections flooded as happenedin 2005. The sections were very tricky, I nearly made the start of the secondsub for a three, when I crashed. The observer said I had fived the first, so Icould have a restart to try the second, this was going well until the chain cameoff just before the ends cards. Time was getting on by now, so we headed to thevan to refuel and I adjusted the Norton chain.
The four subs at Cnoc A Linnhe were all cleaned, although we took a slightdetour as the sections started further down the stream. The rutted muddycamber led us to Pollock Hill, Matthew had a good clean here and I nearlyfooted to the end before I dropped the Norton and broke the clutch lever, justleaving enough for me to carry on. Coire Sgoilte was quite steady before wefinally got back to road on the way to Caolasnacoan. Roy Ayres and NormanBlakemore were both watching this section. I normally do well here, Matthewwent first and had a dab on the last right hand corner, I rode very steady andmanaged to clean it. Quickly returning to the road, we arrived at Camas NaMuic with twenty minutes remaining, the first sub was as expected and I had asloppy three. The second sub shows how the trial has changed: originally thiswas two single subs staying in the stream with a gap between, now it is a singlesub, including a large root step out of the water. I had a dab in the stream butfiled by the smallest margin to get up the step, I struggled but could not get outuntil some spectators helped. We rushed to the finish to get in by about tenminutes before loading up the van. We headed back to Fort William via a stopat the North Ballahulish garage to wash the bikes and I fitted a new clutchlever blade. The hotel was still quiet, a quick swim was had before dinner.
Clive Dopson photo: Mick Brown
Page 14 Issue 182 May 2009
A Polish man moved to the USA and married an American girl. Althoughhis English was far from perfect, they got along very well.
One day he rushed into a lawyer's office and askedhim if he could arrange a divorce for him. The lawyersaid that getting a divorce would depend on thecircumstances, and asked him the followingquestions: Have you any grounds? Yes, an acre andhalf and nice little home.
No, I mean what is the foundation of this case?It made of concrete.
I don't think you understand. Does either of youhave a real grudge? No, we have carport, and notneed one.
I mean. What are your relations like? All myrelations still in Poland.
Is there any infidelity in your marriage? We havehi-fidelity stereo and good DVD player.
Does your wife beat you up? No, I always upbefore her.
Why do you want this divorce? She going to kill me.What makes you think that? I got proof.What kind of proof? She going to poison me. She buy a bottle at drugstore
and put on shelf in bathroom. I can read, and it say: 'Polish Remover'
Bob Drane 250 AS BanVil photo: Mick Brown
Page 15
This month’s diary is more of a long thank youletter. Now, when I was a kid I had to be bullied
into writing these, but this one gives me greatpleasure, as after adding up after the recentCharity Trial we have, over eight years,raised £16000 for the Leonard Cheshire
Disability Charity!But, before I begin, I must remind you that it is
time to think about next season and the classic event that opens itfor some of us. The Arbuthnot Trial on Sunday 13th September, reg’s & entryforms will soon be available from Secretary of the Meeting,
Mike Rye22 Moot Gardens, Downton, Salisbury. SP5 3LF.Tel. 01725 511131
This year I understand that there may be a class for some unit constructionmachines, I am not sure that this is a good idea, and do not know any detailsyet. But I suppose that if they restrict it to machines built before 1960 say, itwill, if nothing else boost the entry list.
Robin Herbert 250 RTX Gary Eaves 125 WassellPhotos: Mick Brown
Page 16 Issue 182 May 2009
It's not hard to meet expenses, they're everywhere.
Now! The Charity Trial, how lucky we were with the weather, although thewind in the morning forced us to retreat into the woods for the barbecue, verycosy and weren’t those Burger Queens great, thank you ladies. Thank you alsoMolly & Chris for running the bar and the family Brown on the raffle. Now tothe trial, firstly I must thank everybody who helped set the event up and clearup afterwards. You who were there would have noticed that I was a bit like oneof those ‘spare persons’ you hear about at weddings! Well, on Thursday I hadan argument with a rabbit hole and the rabbit won! Result a very painful andswollen ankle that I am still getting over.
The signing on table was ably managed by Mr. Eaves, thank you Pedro;thanks also must go to our editor for producing the results, thank you Jim,our chairman, took over my job of escorting the sidecars on lap one, thank youTed.
Of course, the main purpose of the event was to produce funds for SevenRivers and this year we were well supported by local motorcycle clubs whohelped sponsor the sections, they were, Dabbers Trials Club, Mid Anglia MCC,Pre65 Motocross Club, Southend & DMCC and the Woodbridge MCC. Theywere helped by individual members of the EFA/ACTC, other motorcyclists andseveral local motorcycle companies. Sponsorship to the tune of £500 wasraised by the riders, top man collected over £100, thank you Richard! Thissponsorship topped up with donations, profit from the bar, raffle (Oh! andthank you to everybody who brought along a raffle prize), BBQ and the finalbike jumble clearance totted up to an impressive £2250! This will pay forresident Johns, new specially adapted chair and any over will go towardsimproving the general facilities at the home. I hope that I have not forgottenanybody, but thank you once again for all your help.
The Burger Queens photo: Mick Brown