big john

Thanks for the kind words about the Highland Classic 2 Day guys! I didn't lay any of it out as I was unable to do so due to work committments that week, so I am not claiming any glory for it. For next year, we will hopefully allow twin-shock riders of a "lesser" ability to ride the B route, leaving the A route a bit harder for the better twin-shock competitors, that's about the only changes required really. We could do with a few more riders in both the Pre-65 and twinshock classes, just to make it more worthwhile, we are getting there, the event is gaining in populaity and from the comments I heard, there are some who will definately bring a mate with them next year. Good to see Ken O'Brien up from Oxford and the Irish contingent; "Danman" and of course my friend "Greeves" from Madrid! I have heard that there will be a "feature" on Todo Trial website about Alvie soon! See date at the bottom of my posting for 2009, all being well. Cheers, Big John

Which side is the tank marked on? Clutch or throttle side as you sit on the bike? Could the colour be a "duck egg" shade of blue? Big John

And I was trying to cut down on my chips intake too! Big John

Its a good job I can take a bit of ribbing! Big John

Ross, I travelled there by plane, so I can't help you really, however there are a couple of the Lanarkshire guys going next year, for info contact Alan Scott at LMCC as he has some calculations already done from Scotland. Big John

Don't talk rubbish, I bought two photos from you taken with me on the Matchless at the Pre-65 Scottish with my feet up, via Trials Photos.... Big John

I don't know who you are wizardofos, but that would be the best option! Big John

You have a point Army Man, but I do think some folks local to him have had a word in his ear already. However, it's now up to the offender to sort it all out, as I said before, you get rumbled, apologise, sort out the problem, job done. Big John

I'm pretty thick-skinned anyway! Now that a poster/member of TC has "outed" the offending rider, may I humbly suggest it would be very wise to set the matter straight by doing the decent thing by returning the silverware to the Edinburgh & District Club with a suitable letter of apology! From what I hear, right now there is quite a few people in the sport talking about this matter and the only way to deal with such issues is to correct it! If I were in such a position, I would be very concerned about my good name... The matter now rests with the competitor...balls in his court Big John

bullropebill, I know that there can and no doubt always will be, a degree of cheating at any sporting event, the matter is crystalised when....you get caught! The rider was rumbled on this occasion, but not in time to exclude him before the results had been printed. Remember any published results are "provisional" and subject to "official confirmation" Such an issue has happened before, I know because I personally saw a factory bike without the engine blob of paint in place at Fersit a couple of years ago. A certain observer who posts on here was detailed to follow the said factory supported rider but lost him as the factory guy rode so quick. The next day after a discussion with the chief machine examiner saw the factory guy "retire". Rumbled = Games up = go home, but certainly don't proport to be a finisher! Big John

OTF, WRONG!, I happen to be the current SACU Trials Committee Chairman and believe me, I am certainly not impressed by this occurence, to say it was unsporting act is an understatement! The SACU Trials committee will be looking at our stewards report on the SSDT with interest, I am certain that our two stewards are aware of the situation. Two of our current committee are also SSDT Assistant Clerks of the Course. The SSDT as you probably know comes under the SACU jurisdiction and we are the particular permit issuing authority. There was also an ACU steward attending the event. Finally, I hope like others on this forum, that the rider in question sees the errors of his ways sooner rather than later and takes appropriate action! Big John

I know exactly who the rider was, but I am not prepared to spill the beans on here. I even approached the "guilty party" and asked if he had any problems with the bike during the week with such a serious and direct look right into his eyes that probably left him in no doubt that I knew exactly what had gone on! I knew what had happened during the morning the trial went through Piper's Burn! I am absolutely disgusted that the rider in question did not do the honorable act of retiring, as he knew damn fine that he had been rumbled by observers during the trial. I did not ever contemplate that a rider of such standing in the trials community was capable of denying another rider an award by swapping bikes. The said rider should at least return any silverware immediately to the Edinburgh & District Motor Club with a suitable apology and "fall on his sword" sooner rather than later, to put the record straight without delay!!!! Big John (bitterly disappointed)

I can only add my thanks to my good friend Javier Cruz for all the hard work he has put into helping the Robregordo trial become a truly International Classic event. As John Collins said, do not hesitate, make that a firm date for your diary in 2009. Remember to arrange your Start Permission from the ACU and have a valid registration card or competition licence and of course make sure that your UK passport is also up to date in preparation for your trip. Next year it should be much easier to enter the event via the Sotobike/Robregordo website. Best wishes from me in Scotland, Big John (yeah, so I named dropped a little, but I was so excited at meeting those super guys this year Dabster!)

And another! Big John meets Manuel Soler, development rider for Bultaco.

I met one of my all time favourite riders! Big John meets Bernie Schreiber!

Aha, now I have figured out who "Bilco" is then! Good to hear the Honda TLR has been found at last! Big John

Hi Carlos, As before, your bike was a pleasure to ride once more at Robregordo. I am sorry I did not do the bike justice, I admit to being way off form as far as the sections were concerned this year. It is a fantastic motorcycle, definately one to keep and ride! Next year you will of course come to ride Alvie Highland Classic Two-Day Trial as my guest! Maybe I will have a Bultaco prepared for you to ride from my now extensive Bultaco collection! Big John

Robregordo 2008 - what can I say. It was wet sometimes, sometimes it was sunny. My Grandmother could have ridden the Bultaco Sherpa better than I did, but hey I had fun! At last, I finally met Bernie Schreiber and Manuel Soler, two of my Bultaco heroes of yesteryear, great to meet you guys! But I also met folks that I hadn't seen since last year and beyond, Andreu Codina; Miguel Cirerra; Paul Rose; Eduardo Gomez De Salazar; Horacio San Martin; Jose Franquera, the list goes on. Many thanks to the fantastic Sotobike Club and Sotobike Sport that made Robregordo 2008 possible. To my friend Javier Cruz (see you at Alvie!) for looking after me and my riding buddies this year, as the "3 amigos" - Jock McComisky and Bill Emmerson. Carlos Bosch for the loan of his 350 Bultaco - my old friend from last year. To the rest of the British contingent including John & Evelyn Collins, good to see you all there. (No I don't want to ride a Greeves, next year) Last but not least, to my friends Nigel and Jill Greenwood for the fun we had. My sympathies go to the poor Spanish guy with the dissappearing TLR200, gone but not forgotten, hope you find it when the water levels receed! Hopefully, see you in Robregordo next year! Big John

Now then, now then! I think I should explain, I have just picked up on this thread just now and read it fully... Firstly, "Mose" (or Ian Hutchison if you prefer) I have known for a mighty long time, probably about 35 years or so and he was an old friend of my late father as well. I feel I must defend him as he is a "dyed in the wool motorcyclist" who is much better known in road race circles and in particular the Isle of Man and Speedway where he is an accredited machine examiner. He has probably the world's greatest collection of racing books and has a great knowledge himself, however he maybe doesn't have the depth of knowledge on trials, fair point. He is of course a volunteer (a hard worker in the SACU) like many of us in the sport and tries his best, he is fervently Scottish and unlike myself, happy to wear the kilt, I do not suit the kilt at all (I haven't got the legs for it) Having said that, I am content to continue helping Nevis Radio at the SSDT with their coverage of this great event (long may the coverage and the event continue) I have heard some similar comments during the night of the presentation, but I have tended to ignore them as I was asked to resign from the SSDT committee in 2002 after holding the position of secretary (no need to go over the background to this as it is all water under the bridge now!), but some people have long memories. The committee and club know where I am, they just need to ask nicely if they need help, in fact I do currently help out at the "other trial" the Edinburgh club are responsible for and quite enjoy my double act with Colin Dommett on their Saturday night! I did actually do a "tribute night" last February 2007 in Fort William during the Mountain Festival for the SSDT and fully endorsed by the SSDT committee, which went down well. Just thought I would put the record straight. (as for getting lost, well I wasn't lost, I knew where I was, I just was in the wrong part of a bloody big moor!) Regards to all, Big John

I'm a good Father though, I bought it for No1 son to ride. I went to Fort William with 2 bikes and brought back 4, that's 100% increase! Big John

Hmmm.... That looks very like the bike that is now residing in the batcave, isn't it David lad? Big John

My understanding of it is this: The responsibility of road worthyness/legality rests with the rider, not the "machine examiner", your bike is not passed as fit by a scrutineer at the SSDT! Big John

I think all the B40 "GB" motors were 1967 model/year. Big John

On business! I know which way they are going, I've seen the map, but I have not been across the route Big John