pommietrialsnz

Hi, just getting back into trials myself. Going to Bayford tomorrow?

For the Christchurch area try Pioneer trials club. There's also a classic trial once a month. For a bike try Brendon at Trials nz. Have fun they are a good bunch.

My 4rt started first kick this morning then died. Took me 1/2 an hour and a lot of verbal abuse to finally get it going. Is it the cold weather effecting them? Sounds like she's getting a visit to Dr Munch.

Has the vacuum tube come off?

Hi Keith, my dad lives up your way in Reepham and I think there are a couple of others there too. There's a trial on next sunday at Corton I think its called so that might be worth a look for you. He's only just started riding again after I talked him into it, life's too short and all that, he's nearly 70, and I am coming up to do that trial with him. See you there if you fancy that, 4rt and white Scorpa 175. Kevin

I think it's a pity we can't be honest enough at club level, to exchange cards with someone we are going round with and mark each other! We did it in New Zealand when I was there and there were no problems that I heard of. Everyone was fair and noone tried to take the mickey. Observers were only used for championship rounds. Don't forget most of us are doing this for fun and we know that the score is not that desperately important at the end if we feel we have ridden well and have had a good laugh with our peers,

Hi Roger, where are you in NZ, north or south island?

Very good Scorpa 3, perhaps I should flog the Mont and get my order in!

Hi, I've been looking at the new Scorpa T-ride and quite fancy one. Has anyone seen one in the flesh or had a go on one? I like the idea of one to go green laning on. Can they be made road legal? If you wanted to could you do a trial on one or would the forks make the turning circle to big? Any info would be good. Kevin

Hi Jack, I'm not going to Dews farm tomorrow but I am planning to ride at Bayford on the 7th of Oct if my ACU licence comes back in time. Should be my first trial since getting back from NZ. I don't know whether to ride intermediate or 50/50 but I rode inters in NZ and was just there when I left the UK. If you want someone to go round with I'll be Billy No Mates with the 4RT and a green Renault Trafic. Cheers . Kevin

Are you still reading this Mike?

Hi Mike, sorry I didn't get a chance to say goodbye when I left in May. I really miss Sunday mornings up the Waimak. I'm coming back in October so I'll catch up with you and Mel then. When are yuo going to get a nice clean four stroke? Kev

TFT, thanks for your comments as regards my return to England. I am sorry to have had to return as I really did love living in NZ and the trials scene was very friendly. One good thing is that people involved in trials are generally good people wherever you are, the only problem I do have now is that its not so easy to find somewhere to practice and teach my two sons how to ride. Any suggestions anyone? NZ is a fantastic place but at this moment in time not right for me and my family, it has however introduced me to rugby, a sport which I was never interested in, but am now very keen on. Go AB's and I hope the Crusaders win the Super 14 next year! Kevin

Hi Nick, I'm sorry to say that I've just come back from NZ. We found that we couldn't live on the wages I was earning out there so just be aware there's a big difference between spending British pounds and Kiwi dollars. I am a plumber by trade and found myself having to go back to college to pass exams because they don't recognise our qualifications over there. At my age I wasn't about to spend 3 to 4 years studying for stuff I already know. That said, we loved it over there and we may well move back in a few years time when we are a lot more secure financially. The trials scene over there is very much alive and I met some good people through it. I was based in Christchurch and in the local area there is a classic trial on the first sunday of each month and a modern trial around the 20th of each month. I used to be able to go out and practice any time I wanted because there are thousands of acres of land set aside for recreation along the side of the Waimakariri river, although it is a bit flat. I guess that it's similar all over NZ with plenty of places to ride, the locals aren't all worried about losing their subsidies over there and there's a lot more land per capita so there's not so many people trying to put a stop to our fun. All the varieties of bike are available and spares are not a problem with dealers on both islands. Bikes are a little bit more expensive over there because the exchange rate is against us at the moment, so it might be best to take one with you. Also there are plenty of rocks around so where you can buy a good non bashed bike in certain areas of the uk, you might find they have been knocked around a bit more in NZ. The twinshock bike market is a bit different because you can get a good Tlr200 for about $1500, about

As all the wise ones would say, try before you buy. I've got a Repsol and the only mod is the Mitani exhaust pipe. Before that I had a Gas Gas 250, not impressed! A friend of mine has done the reverse and gone from a 4RT to a Gas Gas 250 and gone way better. It's all about personal choice, but for me the Mont is way better in every way. He say's he can do things on the Gas Gas that he couldn't on the Mont but I think it's all inthe mind. Good luck