I Had A Thought!

[atomant]

I would like to see someone look Dabster up and contact his boss

[billyt]

Dabsters boss is Dad of Two, Mother of One.............

Edited November 24, 2014 by billyt

[feetupfun]

I'm 55 and have been competing in observed trials since 1974 and also enduro, hare and hound, MX and trail-riding, which is by a huge margin the most popular form of two-wheel off-road activity. I stopped doing all the fast stuff 15 years ago after I started having a few too many crashes caused by loss of concentration, and now confine myself almost exclusively to riding trials on Twinshock era bikes

I studied Mechanical Engineering at Uni in the late 1970s and also did a Trade apprenticeship (fitting and turning), and have worked since 1980 in engineering roles for large companies that have interesting manufacturing processes (BOC Gases, Alumina Refineries, General Electric and the past 11 years at a large coal-fired power station. I love working at old plants that are nearing their end of life, because it is always interesting to find newly emerging failure modes

Because I don't get to do trade work in my paid employment, I get great enjoyment from doing trade type work as a hobby, which fits perfectly with my love of Twinshock trials bikes. Tweaking the old bikes is my cup of tea. I have a brother-in-law who also did mechanical engineering and the same trade at the same time who is a wizard with racing engines and is also a specialist welder and we tend to feed off each other's enthusiasm

I learned to ride on a 1950s CZ125 road bike in the early 1970s which my Dad had restored and he also restored a 16H Norton and a plunger Tiger Cub during my youth. Back at the time my Dad married my Mum, their only form of road transport was a motorcycle and sidecar. They had to buy a car so they could build a house so that was the end of motorbikes for a few years. His favourite bikes from his youth were his Matchless and his Norton International.

I have two teenage kids and I write the trials column in VMX magazine

Edited November 24, 2014 by feetupfun

[bullylover]

I`m Graham Weiss and I am a automotive spray painter by trade although I have not worked in a shop since about 1986. For the last 30 years I have been working as a live sound engineer. Yep I`m the idiot who plugs the PA system together and attempts to make the bands sound good. As you can probably tell I happen to like Bultaco`s and I started riding trials in 1979 when I bought the last model Bultaco Alpina 350. I rode it to work everyday and then pulled the lights off and changed tyres and gearing to ride in the creeks all weekend. I stopped riding for about 20 years after I moved to the Gold Coast for work (sound). I started again when I moved back up to my home area in 2007 and a mate got hold of a Sherpa that I used to drool over in the early eighties. This at the time was the only M 199 B in Australia. So I bought it. I learnt a far bit about Bultaco`s and now everybody asks me to fix the bloody things which I enjoy very much. I`m 52 for another five weeks. I have been the President of WDTC for a few years now and I am also on the MQ Moto Trials Sub Committee.

[nigel dabster]

Micheal you are correct I am always right.

However I have never ever ever said what bike anyone should ride unless its face to face based on how well I know them.

[nigel dabster]

I would like to see someone look Dabster up and contact his boss

Youre just being silly i am unemployable.

[dadof2]

Neither have I ever told anyone what bike they should ride.

I can tell you one place you won't find Dabsters boss - the diplomatic service.

I only posted Ched Evans debate as an example of how views can be very polarised on the internet and result in considerable acrimony but since Dabster has raised it again I will.

Ched Evans (prior to a few weeks ago I had never heard of him and I have virtually no interest in football) was convicted and sentenced. He was the freed and the legal system chose not to impose restrictions on his return to former employment. His former employers looked like they were intending to re employ him. Then up springs a very vociferous campaign against this and it looks likely he will not return to his former employment (will probably get lucrative contract with foreign club).

I question whether this lynch mob mentality has any any place in a civilised society. No telling where it will end end if campaign groups effectively add to the sentence imposed by law.

For example, if Brake (the road safety charity) had their way there would be no more youth trials or youth MX.

[biffsgasgas]

My given name is David but most everybody calls me Biff due to my ability to "Biff" it.

Grew up in upstate NY. Started riding trials in the 80's in D4. Was around when 3D trials was getting its start.

First bike was a TL125 that had multiple broken kick stands since i couldn't touch the ground to start it.

Went to college for business originally which i realized was a mistake. Had to take a semester of classes just to get into the two year Automotive associates to prove that i wasn't as much of a flunkie as my grades were reflecting. Got straight A's from there in that degree. Worked in a dealership for about 3 years before i realized that using my head as an anvil wasn't using my head correctly.

Sold my trials bikes, moved me and my unstable fiance to Michigan to go back to school for manufacturing engineering. Unstable fiance became extremely unstable wife. On the day of the divorce i bought a 2000 TXT 280.

I started at Ford over 12 years ago mainly in engineering dealership service support. I held many roles through my career and am now working as a quality engineer in product development in Dearborn.

President of Team WGASA which has few rules but numerous goals.

I DIY like crazy and don't really pay attention to people or warning signs telling me that "you can't" or "you shouldn't". I personally feel that puts unnecessary boundaries on ones self.

Don't give much thought to those who focus and target others. I try not to focus on others actions as it takes away from me trying to complete my actions.

Head over heals for a girl who loves trials more if not as much as I do. (Someday this will become a TC story as TC was an integral part of us)

I haven't rioted this week but it is only hump day so we still have an opportunity.

Love walks on the beach but hate riding trials on it.

I talk too much.

My posts are too long.

I think Nigel and Dadof2 should get a dedicated post section.... It worked so well Lane and we are so much better because of it....

--Biff

[copemech]

My given name is David but most everybody calls me Biff due to my ability to "Biff" it.

Grew up in upstate NY. Started riding trials in the 80's in D4. Was around when 3D trials was getting its start.

First bike was a TL125 that had multiple broken kick stands since i couldn't touch the ground to start it.

Went to college for business originally which i realized was a mistake. Had to take a semester of classes just to get into the two year Automotive associates to prove that i wasn't as much of a flunkie as my grades were reflecting. Got straight A's from there in that degree. Worked in a dealership for about 3 years before i realized that using my head as an anvil wasn't using my head correctly.

Sold my trials bikes, moved me and my unstable fiance to Michigan to go back to school for manufacturing engineering. Unstable fiance became extremely unstable wife. On the day of the divorce i bought a 2000 TXT 280.

I started at Ford over 12 years ago mainly in engineering dealership service support. I held many roles through my career and am now working as a quality engineer in product development in Dearborn.

President of Team WGASA which has few rules but numerous goals.

I DIY like crazy and don't really pay attention to people or warning signs telling me that "you can't" or "you shouldn't". I personally feel that puts unnecessary boundaries on ones self.

Don't give much thought to those who focus and target others. I try not to focus on others actions as it takes away from me trying to complete my actions.

Head over heals for a girl who loves trials more if not as much as I do. (Someday this will become a TC story as TC was an integral part of us)

I haven't rioted this week but it is only hump day so we still have an opportunity.

Love walks on the beach but hate riding trials on it.

I talk too much.

My posts are too long.

I think Nigel and Dadof2 should get a dedicated post section.... It worked so well Lane and we are so much better because of it....

--Biff

Biff,

QE means destructive testing! (as compared to NDT) I want that job!

"I DIY like crazy and don't really pay attention to people or warning signs telling me that "you can't" or "you shouldn't". I personally feel that puts unnecessary boundaries on ones self."

I hear you man, we don't need no help screwing things up, bro!

[nigel dabster]

Neither have I ever told anyone what bike they should ride.

I can tell you one place you won't find Dabsters boss - the diplomatic service.

I only posted Ched Evans debate as an example of how views can be very polarised on the internet and result in considerable acrimony but since Dabster has raised it again I will.

Ched Evans (prior to a few weeks ago I had never heard of him and I have virtually no interest in football) was convicted and sentenced. He was the freed and the legal system chose not to impose restrictions on his return to former employment. His former employers looked like they were intending to re employ him. Then up springs a very vociferous campaign against this and it looks likely he will not return to his former employment (will probably get lucrative contract with foreign club).

I question whether this lynch mob mentality has any any place in a civilised society. No telling where it will end end if campaign groups effectively add to the sentence imposed by law.

For example, if Brake (the road safety charity) had their way there would be no more youth trials or youth MX.

OOOOOOHHHH no you do not get away with that

As a father of 2 girls unlike you who has boys the fact that Ched evans was convicted of raping someone in a court is pretty conclusive in fair minded peoples eyes. Sex offenders are placed on the register, rightly so, and as such he will not find employment everywhere. The campaign against him by prominent club supporters was not a lynch mob, but reasoned argument by Jessica ennis some singer and others who realising the seriousness of his early release and the fact he could be in schools as a role model and "inspiration" to young boys that raping someone is ok they sided against his return to the club.

Some people have morals. the fact that you hadnt heard about this obnoxious man before shows nothing.

I wonder if your view might differ if it were your son that had been raped by this man?

[biffsgasgas]

Biff,

QE means destructive testing! (as compared to NDT) I want that job!

"I DIY like crazy and don't really pay attention to people or warning signs telling me that "you can't" or "you shouldn't". I personally feel that puts unnecessary boundaries on ones self."

I hear you man, we don't need no help screwing things up, bro!

You have no clue. I can let smoke out of a box like no other.

You should take that puddle jumper north one of these summers if you can stand being picked up in a raptor. Check out your italian hq and come see all that is detroit. If you do... Make sure its durring the woodward cruise. Bike and harrasment included free of charge!

--Biff

[dadof2]

#40

I can to a considerable extent sympathise with your point of view. On my local news tonight there have been 2 cases of causing death by dangerous driving and the sentences were 2 and 5 years, I would have liked to see 10 at least.

Yes our legal system has faults but on balance I think it is better leaving punishment to them rather than via an internet campaign.

​There are also some aspects of the CE case that do not look quite right, perhaps the commission that is reviewing the case will shed more light on this and may even overturn the original verdict.

I wonder what our our American posters think of the protests there against a couple or recent legal decisions, rather than internet petitions they seem to favour riots and looting electrical goods, Is stealing a TV a legitimate form of protest?

[zippy]

#40

I can to a considerable extent sympathise with your point of view. On my local news tonight there have been 2 cases of causing death by dangerous driving and the sentences were 2 and 5 years, I would have liked to see 10 at least.

Yes our legal system has faults but on balance I think it is better leaving punishment to them rather than via an internet campaign.

​There are also some aspects of the CE case that do not look quite right, perhaps the commission that is reviewing the case will shed more light on this and may even overturn the original verdict.

I wonder what our our American posters think of the protests there against a couple or recent legal decisions, rather than internet petitions they seem to favour riots and looting electrical goods, Is stealing a TV a legitimate form of protest?

Hey all y'all arguing over using the internet to crucify an individual or political discussions

START A DIFFERENT THREAD JUST FOR THAT

and stop hijacking this one. Let those that wish to share their background, do so without having to filter through the other crap.

[dadof2]

Zippy - Its a fair cop as they say, I won't mention it again

[mrpip]

Fun topic Billy T although not many seem interested in sharing their story much but here's a bit of mine....

Born and raised in Surrey, England. Rode trials and motocross out of Comerfords and Dave Renhams shop from about 14 on, now a ripe old 49 and living in So Cal for the last 23 yrs. Still riding trials on and off but finally managed to shake off the MX bug after years of injuries.

For the most part I've managed to avoid ever having a real job as I've been a musician since leaving school in '81 and still tour the world although the travel is grinding me down in recent years and the end is nigh! I had a 5yr spell of fitness training some of the best motocross racers in the world (Grant Langston, Josh Hill, Nico Izzi, Kyle Cunningham) which was great fun but involved a lot of travel also so I backed away from that too.

So now if I'm not gigging, I'm riding mtn bikes, dual sport, trials or daily riding my KTM 1190 adventure on the street. Can't imagine life without 2 wheels and I'm looking to get into a '14 or '15 trials bike here quickly as the rainy season has arrived which reminds me of home and......trials!

cheers,

Pip Hancox.

Edited December 9, 2014 by mrpip