Talmag 2018

[ttspud]

What a wonderful trial we had this year.  Just perfect.  200 riders, all ages, all types of bike.  Sections set out as they should be, to allow riders of proper iron a chance to make a difference against the ever more tricked out machines.  Proper sounds in the air and proper smells of leather, oil, and burning petrol as bikes roared happily up every one of the sections cheered on by the masses of people straining to find the best angle to watch the action.

Better still, brothers won both over 300cc sprung classes on original, unmolested, standard bikes from the period, a truly unique occurrence recording for all that you do not need to spend £12k to gain every advantage over other riders, you just need to enjoy the day with winning being just a bonus.  As long as this trial exists, among very few others, the spirit of pre65 that Deryk so thankfully created can exist no matter the damage done by those openly breaking the rules that still exist.  One day the original bikes will be acknowledged as such but until then we will keep calm and continue regardless.

Thanks to all that made the day happen, especially the Allaways, looking forward to next year already and long may it continue.

Good luck all. 

[section swept]

Original bikes one day will be acknowledged as such. Bring it on, just look how much value they command in totally original condition! That may be a bad or a good thing but either way they have character, history and presence; bit like a film star or Royalty. 

[ttspud]

Quote

they have character, history and presence; bit like a film star or Royalty. 

Yes, could not agree more.  The proper bikes are the essence of Pre65, and people turn up to enjoy watching them, Lawrence AJS and Gregory HT5!  We can all ride a modern pre-65 bike, that is easy and not very interesting to watch, but riding a proper bike, that is a much bigger challenge, a much better spectacle and much more enjoyable for all.