big john

I think you will find that was indeed a true story, the Spaniard couldn't explain what a Scottish Bog was and I suppose the depth made it look like his bike had fallen into a sea! Big John

The words "throw" and "dustbin" spring to mind! Big John

I would have to say probably either the same or slightly less of a degree of difficulty, it really depends on the trial and who has laid it out. Put it this way the 2011 Expert A BC was Gary Macdonald who was also 2010 Scottish Premier Champion. Big John

The Scottish ACU Scottish Championships are national status which means it allows riders from ACU; SACU and MCUI to compete, however championship points are awarded on a prescribed basis. A national trial unless accorded championship status does not bestow any championship points. SACU clubs also run national restricted trials usually for Pre65 and twinshock such as Perth, then there are closed to club events. The Premier Championship (adult licence holders) comprises 6 rounds with three classes, Premier; Sportsman & Clubman on three routes. Support Championships comprise 7 rounds with Youth A; B & C; Pre65/Twinshock & Over 40 championship classes. Hope this explains. For additional information go to the SACU website: (www.sacu.co.uk) look under trials information. Big John

It's exactly the same as the 2010 season, seven rounds of the Support Championship means all seven rounds are point scorers. The Bon Accord 1st round is a joint championship with the Premier series. Hope this clarifies matters Hoodie2. Big John

The Scottish Six Days route never referred to the Altnafeadh area as Devils Staircase, only "Altnafeadh". The Lochailort one was always known as the official trial "DS", and yes rode up that in 1977 too. But as 2/4 says, definately out of bounds to motorised bikes nowadays, section is lost to the SSDT as well because of the creation of the West Highland Way. Big John

I presume you mean the Devils Staircase near Lochailort (there is more than one DS)- yes I rode it as a section in the 1977 SSDT, possibly one of the last times it was used in the trial. Careful - as it forms part of an SSSI nowadays! Yes Perce I think you did ride down it in 2006. Big John

At 1.48 the rider with the pink helmet is East London's Rene Bennett Big John

I think I recognise the front wheel in the photo, that is one of mine! Yes heat up the top of the slider with a hot air gun, especially the slightly wider part all the way round, not too hot but just so that you touch it without burning yourself. Clamp slider in a vice with thick rags to protect the alloy and pull the stantion up hard, quite a few times, there is a bakelite or possibly nylon bush in the wide part of the slider and there is a steel bush circlipped on the bottom of the stantion, you effectively tap out the nylon top bush with the upward movement of the stantion. Watch out they usually break free in an instant - showering you with oil and gunge, so wear protective clothing and eye goggles! Big John

Now then, Joanne Coles has a very good reason for quitting riding trials at this point in time. She is training to follow her chosen career as a plumber and will no doubt be involved in the family business run by her father. Lets face it, the girl is far from being irresponsible, she is thinking ahead and like most teenagers wants to make a living on her own. She stands to make a hell of a lot more money from her chosen trade than riding motorcycles for a living...won't she? Big John

Well for starters Jerry, there is no such thing as a "Rothmans RTL 250", they were never produced. The factory 270RTL with single down tube frame was sponsored by Rothmans Racing and therefor the livery was in Rothmans Racing colours and logos. You will be hard pressed to find the correct chain tensioner, some parts are virtually unobtainable unless you find new old stock. I do have a brand new Rubber chain slipper unit still in its original wrapper, but unfortunately I need to keep this for my own bike(s) Big John

At 2.32 that is Bill Wilkinson picking up his Greeves! Big John

Hey...wait a minute, at least the ACU are giving some guidance on this! It is recommended not compulsory, so when it is time to replace the markers a club already has, then they buy those that will give them a consistent route system, surely that is a step in the right direction? In Scotland, we can use up to four routes with: Red (Premier/hardest); Blue (Sportsman); Green (Clubmen) and Yellow (Youth & Beginners). OK, the same issues were muted when we introduced this system in 2009, but riders got on with it and it has pretty much been adopted by all SACU clubs as and when they have replaced their own markers. The riders like it because it is a uniform system and easy to follow. It did take a little while to get away from the old - red on right, blue on left (which has been retained by the SSDT, as they have a one route section system anyway, makes sense). Another thing, why didn't clubs make some sort of suggestion to the ACU Trials and Enduro committee if you say they don't listen to the right people? Our system came directly from the grass roots of trials, the riders themselves and some SACU clubs, we listened, I'm sure our colleagues at the ACU would have done similar! Big John

It has also been widely reported in the local press over the last 6 months that there are various construction works and installations ongoing in that area, resulting in construction workers being in the viscinity. So it would make sense to "stay away" for a while to let the installation get built without trials bikes getting in the way of operations! Big John

Sorry, but the Pre-65 Scottish Trial hasn't gone over "Blackwater" in years! It has crossed in front of the Blackwater Dam if that's what you mean? I presume you are referring to the long ride over "Meall Na Cruidhe"? In short, the event uses parts of the SSDT route and remember organisers have to demonstrate that they are using private land wisely and in an environmentally friendly way. It is prudent for a farmer to "rotate" his crops and in some cases to leave some of his land "fallow" for a year. Same goes with trials, you sometimes have to let an area repair and that definately applies to the area you refer, as it has been used for many years both by the Pre-65 and the Scottish Six Days. Just a thought! Big John

Cleared! Big John

PM me details, I'll see what I can do! K.A. Rowbotham, I think had a new bike every year he rode the Scottish. Big John

Fair point, I know that isn't ahigh miler for a diesel, but like bikes, I have more than one four wheeled vehicle at my disposal! I'll let you know what I think of the Toyota soon. Big John

Ha Ha ha, nice one Peter, I liked that! Big John

I'm testing a Toyota HiAce next weekend at the local dealer. Better variant appears to be LWB 300 2.5 Diesel 117 BHP. I've run a 54 plate Peugeot Expert 2.0 HDi 110 BHP diesel for 6 years from brand new, it takes three people, three bikes (two loaded facing forward and one facing aft) with all the usual kit and kiboodle, good on fuel MPG, no real issues until recently when the front brakes kept binding after pads and discs fitted. Seems to be OK now. Apart from annual service, replaced a battery, faulty alternator at 6 months old (under warranty) exhaust (but not CAT) and full set of tyres. Only really used for carry bikes to events, fully lined with ply and I used floor covering that they use in lifts and this ensures the bikes don't creep when being transported. Its done 44,000 miles since new, but fancy a change and Toyota looks best on reliability, but negative points seem to be poor fuel consumption, not a real issue for me personally and being RWD not good on grassy surfaces, I'd keep a tow rope under the seat! But literally everyone I have spoken to cannot speak any more highly of the Toyota Hiace. Run for ages, no real common issues. Also local business has a constant fleet of 6 of them for electrical work, they keep ordering "same again". I've looked into the Vivaro; Trafic etc, just lost interest, not interested thank you, too many issues not considering any of that variant, good size, but that's about it. Big John

I heard a rumour that the royal couple plan to honeymoon at the Scottish Six Days, but it may just be a rumour! Apparently Kate is an Amos Bilbao fan and heard he had got an entry! Big John

Did you notice if there were gaskets fitted behind the oils seal carriers? There should be! Big John

I have to agree with my friend "B40RT" on that point, fair point! The club I am a member in runs an annual Pre65 and Twinshock event, (see my signature for details)! We are delighted to welcome lads from England, Wales, Derby; Yorkshire; Spain; Catalunya etc. But Scotsmen... are always in the minority! Mind you... "B40RT" has ridden the Highland Classic since it started! Sad fact of life is that our Scottish Championship is a Scottish combined Pre65/Twinshock award because we can hardly get enough riders to make it work, yet when the E&D issue the list for the Pre65 Scottish 2 day and it shows a "mere" 19 places for Scottish competitors, the tartan shards fly! Just an observation! Big John