reverend

Have to say as a complete beginner that all of this discussion is a nightmare scenario for me. It's hard enough to worry about a) the bike, whether I'm going to kill myself and c) having a fantastic ride, but being told I've collected a five because I missed the marker would probably be enough to make me pack in & go play on my own. From the outside looking in, I simply cannot understand why the sports governing body allows such differing rules. I can't think of any other sport that runs it's business on such a basis, and seems to be so worried of the tail wagging the dog. If them's the rules, them's the rules, surely? At a tenner a ton for flags, it's not cost that's the issue, surely?

Hiya Si, Good on yer, mate. Same boat as me, then! Gulp..

Hmmmm. I think Honda see the trials market as an easy niche to fill. In terms of bike development, whilst there are fewer rules & regs in this game than MotoGP etc, the winners of the competitions primarily depend upon the skill of the rider rather than the evolution of the species. Given that, in a financially depressed market, it would be poor marketing to deliver a huge budget new model for such a small arena as this, unless Honda gets it's ass kicked. Montesa need Honda more than Honda need Montesa, so any model evolution will be just that: an evolution & not a revolution.

I say chaps, steady on! We've a Royal Wedding bash to hold on the lawn this weekend & poor old Mrs Miggins has a scone count well into double figures to contend with, and I have a Wisteria to prune. I fear the wibbly wobbling practice will have to wait awhile.

I think I'd defy anyone to hang a fully legal plate off the rear of a bendy mudguard without it being classed as a hazard by trial scrutes, surely? If you're riding uninsured, you're a menace. Period.

I just thought I'd stick the old Reverential nose into here & introduce myself, so if I can buy anyone a drink just ask.. So here's hoping I've done the right thing, then. Turned fifty & still want to hurt myself riding those bloomin' bikes, so my mother said to me this afternoon. Doesn't have to be like that, does it? I mean, it's all about low speed skill & balance, surely? Yeah, right. I've had a fair few years in the past with the TRF (Trail Riders Fellowship for non UK folks) but got fed up with the constant confrontations with stupid people & red tape. Love the principle, hate the practicality. Had a few years competing in some of the three main UK Long Distance historic trials run by The Motor Cycling Club (MCC) such as the Edinburgh, Lands End & Exeter (my favourite one) on machinery ranging from a Honda XL185 through to an extremely knarly BMW GS/WASP outfit, on which I nearly killed my female passenger half way up Slippery Sam. My how she laughs, nowadays.. Being a porker & inherently lazy these days, I've just treated myself to a Montesa Cota 4rt and despite wobbling like a warm jelly on a plate, I'm enjoying getting to know the beastie. I'm lucky enough to be able to wobble around my rear garden, but the times looming when I'll have to send off for my ACU licence and join my nearest club, which I think is the Nene Valley Trials Club. Have I done the right thing? Should I have taken up golf? I promise to keep you updated.. Reverend Wobble