Category: Upcoming Events

Chairman at full chat

So spring has sprung — well, not really, just the odd day that has threatened it — but we were lucky that the Launceston Trial fell on a relatively dry day. That said, underfoot conditions were still very challenging. Even the sections that drain quickly and are south facing had extra bite this year.

We are very proud that the trial was our 5th consecutive classic trial with a full entry although there were a few non-starters on the day.

Nigel Cowling, as usual, had spent many hours in the woods, with Simon O and Andrew helping. I managed half a day on Friday, but they had zoomed on and got a lot laid out by the time I arrived.

The motorcycles, as ever, were very close and each year the overall award seems to change hands (well done to Neil O’Connor for the overall win). This year saw the Newman Cup for best sidecar change hands for the first time in a long time. Alan & Patrick Keat had won it 4 years in a row but were pipped this year by Simon Rogers.

In the cars Simon Groves edged the Class 8 battle to take the overall award and join the illustrious club of wining three Fulford Cups.

Well done to all and all the other award winners.

Thanks to Vic’s Catering for the hot food, and huge thanks to the Newman family for the venue once again, and to all the marshals, who gave excellent coverage this year.

The Awards Night was prior to the Launceston Trial. We never thought we’d top last year’s numbers, but we did — a fantastic turnout of 116. Thanks to one and all for supporting the event. The evening had its usual relaxed atmosphere, and with a very popular return of the dodgems!

Once again, a huge thanks to Nigel for arranging the evening, sorting the awards and MC’ing. Time to put your feet up now Nigel — hang on, chief marshal duty on Crackington for the Lands End at Easter first!

A huge thank you also to Lisa for taking all the bookings, sorting the desserts, handling the money on the night, very well assisted by Lorraine of course, and Lisa had the added responsibility for taking the photos. A real team effort that goes so far in making the club run successfully.

Next up is our AGM on 23rd March in the Hall at the Fox & Grapes pub in Tinhay, starting at 7 pm. I don’t want to pre-empt anything, but can reveal that the club continues to thrive with strong entries, superb volunteers and record memberships.

If you’d like to get involved then please do come along. We are a friendly bunch, promise!

Simon Riddle, Chairman

Two trials in two weeks, but no driving

Simon Oates ‘relaxes’ by not driving his Liege

As the twilight years of life approach at breakneck speed, it’s time to take it easier, relax and let someone else take the wheel of Mr Toad, my Liege. The previous Exmoor and Holsworthys Chairman’s Trials in February had been offered to other people to drive but were eventually both driven by me, not necessarily in a good way.

The way the weather has been since Christmas has meant that grip has been difficult to find and when you think you’ve got some it disappears like a Tommy Cooper magic trick!

My trial-winning streak disappeared like another Cooper trick and was replaced with dullness and two 2nd in class results, beaten by much better class 7 cars and drivers. Nick and Ben Symons in the Subaru powered Singer Chamois trounced me by one point in the Presidents as they climbed hills brilliantly and at last have found the sweet spot with the car. I believe the car is being fettled further but let’s pray the sweet spot remains.

John and Natasha Early in their Liege were flying high with their excellent car and Greek God like abilities on the Exmoor Trial coming 2nd overall in the trial and beating me by nine points which put me 4th overall in the trial and second in class.

Our club’s single venue Launceston Trial was again fully-subscribed and Lisa Gregory took the wheel of my car. Victim in the passenger seat was Rob Holden which left the rest of the Ruby family free to enter on two wheels and four.

With little experience in the Liege, Lisa approached the first hill as the first car up with a lot of apprehension, but Rob encouraged her with closed eyes!

Guess who was marshalling on the first hill?

Yep, it was me and I was also a bit panicked. She attacked the short section with vigour and the front axle just went through the 1 marker before total grip loss, a bloody good effort and signs of promise for the rest of the trial.

The clutch pedal stuck on one of the sections later in the day and there were a few issues on some restarts, I heard. Before Lisa as the first car we had the motorbikes of varying abilities taking different lines through the section with probably more falling off or footing after completing the section than when doing the section. They all followed the correct course which wasn’t true of the chairs! I put it down to first hill adrenalin.

All sections are marked with poles and numbers on the right side of the course but there can be confusion if the exit route crosses the section. Keep your head up and plan ahead.

A break for lunch with Vic’s Catering was appreciated by all especially some of the bike riders (knackering morning’s ride). The afternoon saw us marshalling the first section where the bikes had a diversion to the right (clearly marked) but one went straight on despite being told at the start! Once all bikes and chairs had gone the course was changed with a diversion to the left through the trees and a nasty restart on a right-hand bend around a tree and its slippery roots. The more restarts, the deeper the ruts and holes got and the roots provided loads of gloopy slime, lovely, it took a load of points off people. Lisa nearly cleared it, there was movement until there wasn’t!!

I watched and helped on several other sections with quite a lot of pushing and pulling of stuck vehicles but there were so many happy, even surprised faces which I hope means satisfied customers. The bikes had quite a long wait while the cars caught up, but it can’t really be helped.

Lisa managed 1st in the combined 6 & 7 class on 41 points which is impressive on any scale!

The week after I picked Nigel Cowling up early Sunday morning on our way to the woods behind Castle Motors for the Presidents Trial in the Liege. Nice and foggy and oh so wet under foot.

We were both going to Marshal for the Trial and Shelly Deacon was having a first attempt at trialling in the car with Alan Keat by her side with his years of experience and knowledge. Oh, how the best laid plans don’t always come together and Alan had to withdraw at the last minute, so poor young Shelly had to put up with Mr Grump in the passenger seat.

I was so looking forward to another Sunday of marshalling but I put my best foot forward, closed my eyes and jumped into the wrong side of the car. At least Shelly is used to putting her right foot down (does real hill climbing) but I had to explain the Liege is 40 bhp in 600kg and her car is 160+ bhp in 300 Kg, so eight times more powerful! I think she noticed the difference in power and definitely felt my brakes (or lack of) in a worrying panic. I thought they were performing well and the hydraulic handbrake will hold it anywhere (this became her go to brake).

The first hill wasn’t easy and we pressed the GoPro at the start and off to the restart. A brilliant stop high on the line and then a coordinated pull away to clear the hill – bloody hell!!

Her skills continued throughout the day with a few hic-ups but overall, brilliant. A couple of hills we should have got further and if she’d had Liam Hartley next to her instead of me, she could have beaten Andrew and Loraine Rippon’s Beetle. I gave it my best, but it wasn’t quite enough.

A Ladies’ Award at the end of the trial (for Shelly, not me!) was well deserved and I hope that I haven’t put her off our sort of trialling.

Land’s End in April next, let’s see how that goes!!

Going mad on the March Hare

While the rest of the LNCMC  enjoy the Launceston Trial, Richard Simpson plays away in Gloucestershire with the Falcon Motor Club

Journey’s End: The ES700 is back at home, and needs a wash and new levers. Note the incredibly trick front number!

You wouldn’t expect an event named after the famously irrational animal, the March Hare, to be entirely straightforward, and if you’d entered the Falcon Motor Club’s March Hare Classic Trial, you wouldn’t have been disappointed by the few eccentricities encountered along the way.

Starting at a café on an industrial estate somewhere near Evesham, it followed an 83-mile route through the Cotswold countryside to a finish at a pub somewhere near Stroud.

I entered into the spirit of the event by eccentrically entering on my GasGas ES700 (which is actually a KTM 690 Enduro in red). Previous attempts at trail riding on this have been challenging to say the least: the suspension appeared to be set up for supercross, and the power delivery even in ‘road’ mode abrupt.

But there was some method to my madness. I planned on staying overnight at a budget hotel in Stonehouse (which is as close to the M5 as you can get to the finish) and riding up from there to the start in the morning on the motorway. I didn’t fancy taking the X-Trainer on that particular jaunt, and I had been assured that the March Hare was just like an MCC trial, only much easier and shorter. So what could possibly go wrong?

Quite a lot, as it happens.

I had two modifications to make to the GasGas: one was to fit trials tyres with security bolts, and the other lower the gearing.

I put the Pirelli off the Beta on the back (I figured a new rear trials tyre would become ‘used’ pretty quickly on a 70+ bhp, 150 kg motorcycle), and a new Pirelli on the front, with new Michelin tubes all round, and static-balanced the wheels.

I ordered a 14-tooth front sprocket off the internet, and only during fitting did I realise it was actually a 15-toother…the same size as stock!

Too late to do anything now.

A quick trail trial revealed that the trials tyres had transformed the GasGas into a useable trail bike: the flatter profile tyres improved stability no end, and the softer pressures and carcase made the suspension more than acceptable. Also, there is a lot of nonsense about ‘Mode 2’ of the GasGas/KTM engine management making the thing into an uncontrollable wheelie monster spoken on the internet: it actually moderates the power and traction control, while removing the ABS from the back wheel and toning it down at the front.

Good news!

Saturday dawned, and I of course had a gentle start to the morning before the event, followed by a nourishing meal and a leisurely drive to Gloucestershire…in my dreams.

The reality was to extract maximum value from the hire van, I was knocking the door at AAA Rentals first thing, driving it home, and loading it up with rubbish so Kate and I could beat the Saturday rush into the tip.

Back home, print out the road book, load the bike up (it’s a more challenging shove up the ramp than the Beta) and off later than planned to Stonehouse. No time for a nourishing meal, and all that was on offer on the motorway by way of hot food was McDonalds, so I had a sandwich and crisps as an alternative.

To bed at late o’clock in the Stonehouse Travelodge, and woke up in the early hours with an air-con induced minor nose-bleed. Luckily, the window opened, and I was able to get a few hours of sleep before a 6 am alarm.

Unloaded and off I want up the motorway, then across the Vale of Evesham to the start at Porky’s Dinner: an old school transport cafe on an industrial estate. Most of the entry formalities had already been completed on-line, but the organiser forgot to bring the pre-printed number boards so we ended up with numbers biroed onto pieces of paper from a notebook!

Realising these weren’t going to last the trial, I created a number ‘6’ from masking tape, and made sure the marshal was told my number at the foot of each section.

There didn’t seem to be any formal ‘start’ to the trial, so I just finished my breakfast and rode off at the appointed time down to a nearby green lane to join the queue at Section 1.

Most of the sections were relatively easy, but the roadbook was written in a unique style that required careful interpretation. For instance: half the field had to do Section 3 before Section 2, because Section 2 was a practically impossible climb up a narrow footpath with no exit route.

You were supposed to just reverse down from the top…because reversing down a steep hill is easy and safe on a motorcycle!

Naturally I found myself in the second half of the field, and the section was practically impassible on my arrival, with most bikes stopping before the 10 board. I elected to ride around the entrance, then exit for a 12. Some of the cars that attempted it ended up damaging themselves on a concealed rock.

The first observed test was also set up for cars at a farm track crossroads where you had to stop astride lines on each of the exits in turn. Great if you’ve got a reverse gear, but a challenge to get a larger bike turned around in the width of the lane. With hindsight, it would have been quicker to paddle the thing backwards. I have no idea what sidecars were supposed to do.

The fun continued at the second observed test, which from the route card was the usual start at A, top at B, exit at C. What wasn’t said was that you were supposed to reverse back over B then carry on down the lane to C. Going straight ahead after B landed you in a swampy gateway. Guess how I know?

I wonder if the horseshoe rut I created turning around will still be there next year?
The route itself was a delightful tour, first of the Vale of Evesham, then past Broadway Tower and into the Cotswolds ANOB: it’s amazing the trial can take place at all given the local demographic of wealthy townies and NIMBYs in chocolate-box villages.

Fords en-route had to be tackled blind, streams which are just a trickle in Summer were torrents of coffee-coloured liquid.

Most of the sections in the first part of the trial had followed a simple format: ride up a lane, then a deviation around a tree or similar obstacle with a restart before rejoining the lane. Many of the lanes were very wet, and some of the access routes were more challenging than the sections.

Then we got to Fry’s Quarry: the proclaimed ‘difficult’ part of the trial. There were four sub-sections in the quarry: which had to be tackled in the order of 3, 4, 2, then 1. Well, I’m sure it made sense to someone, and there was a Google Maps view of the quarry in the roadbook to help you!

Sadly, I crashed heavily on one section, and snapped the tip off the front brake lever (must have been looking at the Google picture, rather than where I was going!).

Then on to the lunch stop, which was a layby on the A435 with no food, no drinks, no shelter and no toilets! Doesn’t anyone think of the female competitors?

The penultimate section was a long and fairly easy one called Gentle Juniper. The rough bit was at the start, and I negotiated that OK, then it turned into a steep, well surfaced but twisty climb. And this is where it all went wrong for me.

I was riding in hill-climb style, relishing the ES700s power and maybe perhaps over-trusting the traction control, when I encountered a cattle grid on the exit of a turn. Sadly, it was the kind of grid that’s made out of round pipes which offer zero lateral grip. Down I went, and bent the clutch lever!

Exiting not so Gentle Juniper, your demoralised rider made his way through Stroud to the final section. The roadbook here was not very helpful, but fortunately as a former local, I was able to work out where the final section was on the edge of town and led a clutch of entrants to it. There were even some spectators to see me wobble up to the top for a clean.

From there the route looped around to finish at the historic Amberly Inn on Minchinhampton Common, where there was live music, a free drink and an opportunity to have a late lunch. Not for me though: time was pressing, so I rode back to the hotel, put the bike in the van and set off for home.

Next month: Two days of trail riding in Devon with my brothers, then riding the GasGas ES700 on the Land’s End Trial!

Contributions wanted for ASWMC newsletter

Please send your contributions for the ASWMC Spring Newsletter as soon as possible and no later than 30th March.

Event reports, club developments and social matters are all welcome.  Please remember to credit the photographers of any accompanying images. 

Thank you.

Rupert Barker, Media Officer & Newsletter Editor.

media@aswmc.org.uk

T: 01392 490848; M: 07594 584129

Tales from the Bike Shed

Spot the difference

This month’s topic is rusty valve stems.

The GasGas ES700 is just over three years old. It’s only done a small mileage, but much of that has been in the wet. When I pulled the original tyres off, I found the front tube looked like new, but the valve of the rear was rusty, and if left to its own devices would have eventually rotted out of the tube.

Both tubes are Mitas, made in China.

I can only think that the rear valve rusted because it gets far more in the way of spray and dirt on it than the front.

I replaced both with Michelins, with a thin smear of rubber-safe grease on the foot of each stem. Will they do any better?

I’ll let you know next time I change the tyres.

Richard Simpson

Tall tales wanted

It would be lovely to get some reports in the next newsletter of other people’s trialling/marshalling experiences, triumphs/disasters in the workshop, or anything else remotely relevant!

richardsimpson94@yahoo.co.uk

 Chairman at full chat!
 
Onto the second newsletter of the year already! I must admit I’m a little bit out of touch this month, as I’ve swapped the weather warnings for sunnier climes and have relied on messages and YouTube/social media to keep tabs on the January trialling so far. It looks like the amount of rain has made the valves earn their crust so far this year!
 
After a little break in activity, we are back in action on Friday with our awards night. Once again, the take-up has been excellent, so we look forward to seeing you there for another good, relaxed, social evening.
 
A few weeks further down the line and it’s our single-venue Launceston Trial on 1st March. Always a popular event, and entries are coming in nicely, so if you are thinking of entering, get your entry in as we have been fully subscribed for the last two years (entries close 22nd Feb).
 
All info is on the club website, of course.
 
At our last committee meeting, we firmed up our calendar for the year ahead, doing our best to avoid clashing with any other local motor club events — not easy for the summer events, as we have a limited time frame in which the weather is generally more on side.
 
All for now,
 
Simon R
Chairman
 
 
Tales of two trials
 
Simon Oates has been out Liegeing twice last month!
 
Bodmin Heights   Sunday 18th January 2026
 

Paul Watson surprises in a Skoda

Seconds out! Whippersnapper Calvin Moores in the MG J2

Nick of time: Nick Symons’ Singer singing with Ben at the wheel

 
Reeling from the provisional results for the Exeter Trial the week before (that young whippersnapper Calvin Moores beat me in the family’s MG J2 to win Class 7 by just over a second on the observed tests), I was half hoping he wouldn’t turn up for the trial. Sure enough, he was there looking young and keen to rub my nose in it again, but will he, not this time!
 
Navigator Liam Hartley is waiting at the scrutineering looking a little tired. Turns out he was on a PlayStation at 2am but was still keen to bounce and do us proud. The start almost came too quick with my morning ablutions not yet completed so we left as the second car of the day with clenched buttocks and trepidation. As everyone knows, this can either work to your advantage or definitely not (being second car I mean) and I was leaning towards the later.
 
At the first section (Daisy’s) Mike & Anne Tredrea were waiting to start their first trial in their Marlin. I popped over and wished them the best also suggesting they dropped the rear pressures below the 12 psi they were on (10 psi allowed). I think they got to the 7 but spun up and lost traction.
 
We managed to clear the track for all that followed but the next three competitors didn’t get up either. Out of LeBall Woods and up the road into Leneskin Woods for Tall Trees where we scored a 1.
 
Roddyduggan next where restarts were cancelled and Mike and Anne turned the right corner like Pro’s but got no further, a shame but I said how well they’d done. Following their steps, I tried turning right and thought I’d left it too late as we drifted left but with extreme luck the car found grip at the last second and ascended to another 1. As we left the woods we gave it beans for the one and only Observed Test but had I done better that the Whippersnapper?
 
That’s all that matters really!
 
At the end of the woods we were held until all the bikes had cleared Kingswood, the next section. Once released in groups of three, we approached the challenging hill. Mike and Anne pluckily attacked the first corner, nearly drove into a solid oak tree, and went no further!
 
So the section hadn’t had a car up yet and it was our turn. Fairly gently around the first corner and then a load of welly with mud and muck (I saw some bullocks the other side of the hedge) flying everywhere and Liam in his element hanging out and to the back of the car. We cleared it but so very nearly didn’t and Liam was plastered, not but drink this time! At the top our coats were dragged through the grass to get the worst off.
 
I think everyone that cleared the section must have had a massive grin from ear to ear! Then we were on to Cardinham Woods, down Hoskins hill to Powell Hill for a restart at 16 psi. A bit of an ask, but we managed it and off on the roads towards Wadebridge and Eddy’s Incline.
 
The restart had been cancelled, and we gunned up the section into the blinding sun. I lined up very precisely and saw the 12, 11 and 1 around the top corner but never actually saw the section even with the sunglasses I’d just put on.
 
Eddy’s Branch Line was next, with a deviation to the left at the end and a higher restart, again into the sun. We nailed it and with some relief got out of the section to find Mike and Annes’ Marlin boiled over.
 
Back to the restart for a few piccies and eventually on to the next section at Hay Farm, called Hay Twist. Freshly excavated out and treacherously slippery, we gave our all and dropped a further two points. Through the woods to Hay Fork with another horrible and challenging right off-camber bend at the start. Another one that lady luck was shining on us (I must do the Lottery next week) and we scrabbled around and up the section, through the Class 8 restart and around loads of tree stumps to the top.
 
Rather than going back down the section (would ruin it for next cars), we followed the track we’d got there on and backed up behind a few cars. As they failed the section it meant we were now behind three or four cars as we went on to Hay Fork, with a sharp left bend (prong?) at the top. Once cleared, off to QE2 for another clear.
 
Over the hill to Hustyns to clear again and wait for more photo opportunities. I rushed out of the car to find Nick Symons’ Subaru powered Singer Chamois poised on three wheels just short of the 1, and Ben Symons giving it hell and a bit more!
 
We encouraged, everyone else’s arms swung with the invisible pull and push, until eventually she moved when he turned right. What a cheer, their first time to clear the hill. I know Ben’s tongue was hanging out but I think everyone was knackered as well, but so, so pleased!
 
Next we were off to Dunmere Woods for the final four sections, well ahead of time. Corner Climb was muddy, rooty, and rutty to say the least and we popped out the top like a cork out of a bottle. Next to it was Geralds Gradient which was similar to the previous and a true challenge again. A couple of photos again at the top and I inadvertently nearly stopped John Early from going through the 1 marker: I think he was posing for the camera and not concentrating on the finish.
 
All was well and it went down as a clear. Through the woods to The Tunnel where it was a restart for Class 8 only which we were happy about because the sun was yet again bright, low and blinding so that I hadn’t a Scooby Doo of where the section went. Again, luck was on our side and we scrabbled our way through and up a right-hand clay bank and out of the section.
 
We waited for some action on the section but following cars must have been held up further back so we carried on down the hill through the woods to the last section Westlake Wonder. With the Robinsons in control of the start, I surveyed the first 40 yds which was a mud and clay track through serious thick roots which then turned left up through the trees.
 
I’d done well here three years ago and as always, you always want to do better. I reckon I could keep to the right of the rutty track, just missing the big tree stump also missing a lot of roots to maintain some speed and give the hill a good crack.
 
“You’re not thinking of going out of the track are you, that would be stupid,” came advice from behind. I lost my conviction to try an alternative route as we think we’ve only dropped 4 points, or it could be 5.
 
I followed the ruts and roots with the engine on full song. We were kicked everywhere, got through the damage area and attacked the hill. We didn’t get to the Class 8 restart (later removed) but managed a 5. Disappointed, we reversed back down and parked up to wait for more victims for the camera.
 
A pint of Guiness was calling from the Borough Arms and eventually I couldn’t ignore it any longer and drove to the finish to sign off. What a day, it turned out that trialling from the front worked this time and we did well.
 
There wasn’t a section that wasn’t a challenge and the ones we cleared weren’t easy. The extra effort and work after Storm Goretti was clear (no pun) to see in some fantastic sections and it has shown clearly why it’s deservedly in the ACTC Championship. No question that so far this is the best trial of the year so far.
 
Take note all other motor clubs: Camel Vale has set the bar very high, can any of you do better this year?
 
A bit rough around the edges but make no mistake, that is meant as a compliment and I wouldn’t change a thing. The comradery throughout by all involved was mind-blowing, thank you one and all. Ben, Simon & Emma, remind me to put something over the bar!
 
 
Clee Hill Trial   Sunday 25th January
 
 

A wing without a prayer: Simon says he has no idea how his mudguard broke

 

Cue the cars: waiting at the Meadowley Wood holding areas for the bikes to finish
 
 
On a high after the Exeter and Bodmin Heights Trials and all the luck that was on my side, I thought that buying a few Lottery tickets may be a good investment.
 
Saturday morning was an extremely wet and busy one, helping to sort equipment from the small old LNCMC trailer to the bigger one recently purchased by the Motor Club. It has been sign written and had Phil Francis and host, Nick Symons drilling, bonding and screwing some new racking inside the trailer for all the equipment to fit logically. Andrew Rippon, Darren Ruby and I were kept busy sorting, cleaning and throwing old items (will we use/need them again?) and making a few suggestions. I left before all had been completed so that I could load the car on the trailer and get up to Hereford for an overnight stop prior to the Clee Hill Trial.
 
All loaded and checked, I picked Paul Bunn up just as half time for the Exeter Chiefs had been blown. At least he had time to watch a wet and dismal first half. The trip up was very wet and windy and it was a relief when we booked in to the Premier Inn (without any sign of Lenny Henry).
 
A quick check of the straps before leaving Hereford (the car was still there!) and a dash up to Ludlow to the start next morning. Into the Park & Ride car park to find there were only three wheels on my wagon (trailer)! Had it been stolen or did it come off on the way up?
 
I later put the spare on and drove home with just three nuts on each wheel. The lottery tickets didn’t come up the night before either, so maybe this was the bad luck week and the second thing to go wrong?
 
Scrutineering completed, no route amendments but lots of comments about the finding and return of my lost hat from the Exeter.
 
The weather was holding out and not yet raining, so off to Harton Wood on 15 psi for an easy clear. The only special test was promptly dealt with (I still don’t know how I was so slow in the first test on the Exeter) plus the video of Dean Partington flying (literally) on the test is worth viewing and to the first challenging section which was Coats Wood with an extremely sticky grass track with rooster tails of mud following all cars.
 
Once clear on to Easthope 1 with free pressures. The ruts certainly threw us around and once clear we inflated the tyres to 18psi and followed a track to Ippikins Rock where the right bend was somewhat slippery but again cleared. Harley Bank 1 was another challenge as it was very steep and slippery through the trees with grip coming in and out.
 
Eight miles on to Meadowley Wood and Holding Control for about an hour while the bikes finished the section. As we waited, the Class 8 geezers started to arrive: we hadn’t seen them since they set off in front at the start and were wondering what had happened to them, we half expected them to lead the cars all trial.
 
Eventually, two Class 7 cars were released to the section, typically we were third car. The first two got to the 6 and reversed out. Our go through the ruts, tree roots and mud came, and it was like being in a washing machine but I’m not sure what the program was!
 
Clear and the rain started, quite heavy as well. The wipers smeared the mud, then it tipped it down, the mud was volume washed off and as we got to Hillside 1, unbelievably the rain just stopped.
 
Queues of cars in front and little movement until it was decided that only Classes 7 and 8 could do Hillside 2 & 3 (Hillside 1 cancelled). It was a quagmire up there but we just found enough grip at 3psi on both hills to remain clear.
 
Two miles up the lane we arrived in the queue again for Abdon Liberty and discovered the back half of my rear driver’s side mudguard was hanging by a thread (of fiberglass) and I hadn’t a clue what had caused it. I twisted and pulled it off so that I didn’t lose it and could wash it off in one of the many puddles. Hopefully that was the third unlucky thing of the week. 
 
This resulted with extra mud and water deposited on my back and down my neck but the hat was working overtime. When we eventually got to the section (none of the queue cleared the section) there was a lot of conflabbing about what was out of sight around the left-hand bend. Those that came down said gloopy mud and deep ruts but hadn’t got anywhere.
 
Luckily John & Natasha Early went in front of us in their Liege to an 8 and helped start clearing a track. We gave it everything and got through the gloop and onto some tight grass. I made the mistake of easing off to see if I could find any grip and lost some vital momentum. We went through the 7 for a 6 but should have done better. I think most of the Class 8 geezers cleared the section, showing the difference between Class 7 and 8 cars.
 
The only restart of the trial came next at Oak Dingle. A few words of wisdom came my way “right tyre in left tyre rut”, I looked and was a bit sceptical, but it could work, or not. John and Natasha followed the left route, cleared the restart and out of the section. A brilliant drive which I copied next. I would love to have had a go in the track proper but made the right choice on the day.
 
A long trip past the Squirrel of 27 miles to the last sections. High Cullis was first with the Earlys giving it a go and reaching a 6 (I heard it on the walkie-talkie). We followed and where there’s a left turn up through a grass bank, the marshals were guiding the Liege out of the hill and were like me, surprised and unprepared. We slowed and hesitated until they were fully clear and turned up the hill. The car didn’t respond very well and I didn’t get the engine revving properly but also went through the 7 marker for a 6.
 
Through the woods to the last section The Goggin for a good blast to the summit, pumped the tyres up and back to the Squirrel to hand numbers in, sign off and hand the accident declaration form in.
 
As we were loading the car on the trailer, a Transit van owner (parked next to us) turned up to find his battery was dead. I’d shouted inside and outside at the start that the headlights had been left on. Unfortunately, he hadn’t heard me, so we lent some tools, tried a jump pack and eventually the burger started.
 
A 90-odd mile enjoyable, dirty, muddy and potentially damaging trial, somewhat spoiled by the queuing and delays caused by the previous weather conditions and underfoot challenges. Several sections had to be cancelled to keep the cars flowing. Great organisation overall and many great sections which are much appreciated by everyone, thank you all. All followed by long trip back to Cornwall, and a bit of repair work to the car in the garage to keep me out of mischief (wishful thinking).
 
 
A reminder: renew your sub for 2026
 
Membership for 2026 is due.
 
On the club’s website please go to Online Entry https://www.lncmc.co.uk/online-entry/
 
Then Membership Application & Renewal Form
 
Fill in the form and submit on-line.
 
It should then give the various options to pay.
 
Full Membership          £12.00
 
Extra family members  £2.50 each
 
Junior membership       £2.50 each
 
 Alternatively go to https://www.lncmc.co.uk/other/
 
Then Membership Application Form
 
Print off and send in a hard copy plus payment
 
Memberships can also be paid when entering the Single Venue Launceston Trial on Sunday 1st March, either on-line or by post.
 
 
News from the Ed’s bike shed
 

Difficult to tell who is leading who astray here

A weekend spent entertaining the step-grandchildren is at least part of the reason why this newsletter is a bit later than I hoped.
 
Anyway, confession time number one. I decided not to enter the Chairman’s Trial…I don’t think it’s stopped raining here since they posted the regs for it. I have instead been tempted astray and will be entering the Falcon Motor Club’s March Hare Trial in Gloucestershire at the start of next month.
 
Reason being I feel I need to restore my confidence after a series of disappointing non-finishes and non-starts. According to the organisers, it’s really, really, easy, and looking at YouTube clips the sections appear to be little more than the green lanes that I used to ride when I lived in Gloucestershire.
 
It would also do me good to actually win something, and there’s a small entry. On initial inspection, there doesn’t appear to be a Class C Motorcycle entered. So, rather than enter the 300cc Beta in the most popular and contested Class B, I’ll ride the 700cc GasGas in Class C. That way, I can come my usual last and still win the class!
 
Decision made, and entry entered, I then spot a Beta 500 in Class C…oh dear, that’s a proper enduro bike as opposed to the road-biased  ‘enduro travel’ GasGas…a lot lighter and more wieldy. Still, I console myself, the GasGas’s excellent road manners will allow an easy ride from a cheap hotel near the finish the 25 miles or so up the M5 to the start. And the GasGas 700 has an ‘off-road traction control and braking’ setting, so all I have to do is twist the throttle and steer…well, that’s the theory.
 
I’ve also evolved a tyre strategy. The half-worn trials tyres on Beta will be transferred to the GasGas, which with 70-odd bhp at the rear wheel will probably finish them off by the end of the day, while a new set of Pirellis will go on the Beta in time for the Simpson Bros two-day trail ride in Devon, which is followed less than a week later by the Land’s End Trial.
 
What could possibly go wrong?
 
Actually…don’t even ask!
 
Confession 2: As probably everyone except me noticed last month, Simon Riddle was credited for an article contributed by Simon Oates. Apologies to both and thanks to Mike for pointing it out!
 
 
And finally …
 
As ever my thanks to this month’s contributors, and a plea for more content: words, pictures, even items for sale and wanted. Cars, bikes, observer reports, triumphs and disasters from the workshop or roadside, and a review of the Awards Night…you name it, I’ll publish it!
 
Send to richardsimpson94@yahoo.co.uk
 
And keep it upright and between the markers.
 
Richard Simpson
Editor

Chairman at full chat!

Happy new year to all! At our recent committee meeting we confirmed the dates for 2026 – so please check out our calendar below for another busy programme over the coming months. With a strong and active committee, as well as very supportive landowners 2026 could be our busiest year yet, so plenty for all tastes over the coming months.

We start with our awards evening in Feb, which again has been brilliantly supported by the membership and friends and we look forward to another good evening. 

Then into March and logistically our second most labour-intensive event – The Launceston Trial. We had looked at the option of running this as a mini road trial, visiting 4 or 5 woods that we are lucky enough to be able to access, however for the sake of 10-15 road miles and the insurance costs for car competitors who take out the event-specific policy being the same cost as say the Tamar (over 70-80 miles) we made the decision to stick to the single venue in Lew & Eastcott Woods. Regs & entries should be available very imminently so keep your eyes peeled.

A hectic start to the classic trials calendar in 2026 will see many club members on the hills regularly, with the sporting trials members having their flagship ‘Gold Star’ this weekend, good luck to all. 

Look forward to seeing you all at various events over the coming months.

All for now,
Simon R. 

That all-important calendar

Launceston Trial                                                                                             1^st March
AGM                                                                                                                  23^rd March
Northgate Trial                                                                                                16^th May
Carr Cup                                                                                                         24^th May
Spry Trial                                                                                                         14^th June
Treasure Hunt                                                                                                 28^th June
Motor Traders Trial                                                                                         5^th July
Evening Trial                                                                                                   15^th July
Invitation Trophy                                                                                             2^nd Aug
David Ayres Trial (provisional)                                                                      20^th Sept
Tamar Trial                                                                                                     11^th Oct
Ron Beer Trial                                                                        13^th Dec

This Beezer geezer is eager for the Launceston Trial

And don’t forget…

Club awards dinner Friday 6th February at Trethorne Leisure, Kennards House, Launceston PL15 8QE

A 7pm arrival for food at 7.30pm followed by the awards presentation. Places must be booked by Tuesday 20th January. Eighty  tickets booked so far, so it looks like being a good night with still a few days to go.

The price is £28.00 per head and includes a carvery and sweet. Under 12s are at the discounted rate of £14.00 each.

PAYMENT IS BY CASH ONLY ON THE NIGHT
Raffle prizes gratefully received.
Dodgems have requested by many, so hopefully this will be possible.
Book your places now by contacting Lisa Gregory via https://www.facebook.com/groups/1577900209166588/
Or email info@lncmc.co.uk
Remember. You must PREEBOOK via Lisa, not the venue. Payment is CASH ONLY, and is made on the night.

It’s subs time again

Yes, another New Year, and it’s time to get the bank card/cheque book out again.

Membership for 2026 is due.

On the club’s website please go to Online Entry https://www.lncmc.co.uk/online-entry/

Then Membership Application & Renewal Form

Fill in the form and submit on-line.

It should then give the various options to pay.

Full Membership          £12.00

Extra family members  £2.50 each

Junior membership       £2.50 each

 Alternatively go to https://www.lncmc.co.uk/other/

Then Membership Application Form

Print off and send in a hard copy plus payment

Memberships can also be paid when entering the Single Venue Launceston Trial on Sunday 1st March, either on line or by post.

Anyone seen my hat?

Simon Riddle freezes his nut off in the Liege at The Motor Cycling Club’s Exeter Trial

A pre-Exeter Trial run, with a golf cart being used as extra ballast.

Post-Exeter Liege, with a coating of salt and mud


Exeter, the New Year’s starter trial arrives all too soon after the festivities and ballast aiding food and drink. The car has been fettled with a replacement steering wheel (last one broke a spoke a month ago on the Camel) that was last used on Torum 12 years ago.

I’m now running the gauntlet without some yellow tape to show me the way! Remind me which way is up and which is down?

The springs at the back (90 lbs) have been replaced with 250 lb ones that I’ve tried before but the slack is only taken out with three turns of the securing nut. This seems an acceptable balance for driving on the road and trialling. Four clicks of the adjustables for the road and 10 – 14 when trialling, if I remember.

A cursory check of everything and in to town to pick up Paul Bunn for his first ordeal overnighter courtesy of the MCC. With him being a cricketer, I broke the news en route that we weren’t going to get any cricket in unless we met Dave Middleditch on the trial! He’d worn his ‘bacon and egg’ tie too.

The weather was doing the opposite of the forecast: pissing down as we left Cornwall and freezing. The wipers flapped away as much water as they could but the road salt, post frosts, was sticking everywhere else on the windscreen which didn’t help visibility. Once we neared Exeter the skies began to clear and the rain stopped but it got colder and I’m sure we saw Gritney Spears and Spready Mercury doing their thing on the roads. We approached the start on the A303 and the half-moon rose out of the clouds on its back. As the night/day went on it became more upright and almost started laying on its front: isn’t nature incredible?

A long queue at Haynes Motor Museum start stretched to the main road for the scrutineering crew’s inspection. Once we were at the front, it all went without a hitch and our Control Card was signed to prove we were a legit crew.

We then went to the Control Desk for more signatures, showing of licences, a badge and a lanyard to keep around Pauls neck with the control card, don’t you dare lose it Paul! An hour’s free trip  around the museum was wonderful value but I couldn’t see the red Gilbern (my father used to have an Estate version in the early 70s) which had gone to local storage when the displays were updated and rearranged last year.
Great information and displays for all of the family, thoroughly recommended for everyone, even if you pay.

We left at 2.45am and trundled along the icy lanes to handbrake test at Windwhistle followed 100 yds up the lane to the first Observed Test. Start on A, all through B, reverse all through B and forward astride C. All done in 30 yds, I’d call it a bit of a damp squib.

Surely something better and longer could be done?

As it stands, it’s not long enough to generate significantly different times between competitors.

We Continued along the icy roads to the first section Undertown where there were still motorbikes completing the section, and we were already one hour late before completing the first section!

Then to Musbury Garage for a signature on the control card.

Another queue at section two (Gatcombe Lane) and another 30 minutes added to our lateness. A wave to Nigel Cowling near the top of Waterloo and off to Normans Hump where the restart proved doable.

Around the woods and on to Clinton where the bottom bit of the hill was catching a lot of cars out due to severe holes and ruts but we put our foot down and got to the top with headlights flickering and dashboard lights extinguished.

Just up the road was Wiscombe Park and the second Observed Test. Someone had had the great idea of starting with a blind corner to the B line followed by the same to the finishing C line, in the dark. Absolutely brilliant and it woke everyone up but we probably left a bit of time behind.

Continuing icy roads to Rill Path with an easy restart and then on to Stretes where we met a Tesco delivery van on an icy corner! We couldn’t touch the brakes, even at 10 mph and managed to avoid his slide. Every little helps, as they say.

Then another substantial queue at Stretes, but when we completed the section we couldn’t see what the holdup was.

Back to the thawing roads and a top up of fuel before stopping at Greendale Farm Shop for our breakfast and where I discovered that I had lost my Launceston Motor Club badge adorned beanie hat, bugger. Paul unfolded himself from the passenger seat and hobbled with his ingrown toenail towards the refuge.

Another signature on the control card and as we were two hours behind schedule we were told we didn’t have to stop for the full hour if we felt refreshed.

Breakfast was ordered and we gave a table number. Shortly after we had sat down, we were told we shouldn’t be sitting where we were and should be outside. Table service to table 22 was my reply (what a rebel!!).

A welcome scoff and drink which took most of the hour and back to the car and on to Tillerton Steep via Exeter (A30 access of M5 was closed) and a bit of local knowledge gained us a bit of time as did the ice near the section start and luckily no queue!

We stopped at the top of the restart and pulled away with no drama, through to both Fingle Hill sections. Next Classes 6, 7 & 8 did Seamans Borough (flat restart for class 8) which, where once completed we drove towards Ilsington and Lenda Lane which goes past the top of Simms and approaches Tipley Hill. No queue again!
Straight into the section where the “Remove Dentures” sign must have been forgotten. It was rough but we cleared it to wade through the flooded lanes to Donkey Trot for a blast to the stars at the top.

The welcoming volunteers at Ilsington Parish Hall had prepared a great brew and piece of cake to refresh us before our nemesis from last year: Simms.
There were only four cars in front waiting at the section start and they didn’t get up! No problem, off to the lower restart, rev the engine (rev it again as it felt sluggish) and off up the left side straight into the sun. Before we had a chance to bounce we were greeted by Nigel Cowling’s shadow at the top, waving us to stop.

Well that seemed too easy, what the hell happened?

I must have taken the right line as the car didn’t get any air on the way up, I bet it will be different next year.

Twelve miles to the next section Slippery Sam which I have failed the last two years. Luckily no devious flag placements in the restart box this year and a final clear for the day.

Back to the thawed main roads and eventually the finish at the Passage House Hotel where we signed off with another signature. A couple of Guinnesses (or is it Guinnie?) to celebrate the last 24 hours including the first alcoholic one for Paul for six months which seemed to hit the spot.

He was quiet on the way home, I think it had got straight to his head until a flashy big BMW drew alongside us at Okehampton, wound his window down and shouted and gesticulated something towards us. I got the message something was wrong and pulled into the next layby.

A different car followed me in and I found my rear lights weren’t working (must have been from Clinton).  The driver got out and said “Where are you from, I know that car”. It turned out it was Martin Smith that I met last Spring who was also from Egloskerry (he’s trying to rebuild a Lomax in his garage).

I tried to fix the lights and managed to get the rear fog lamp, to work plus Martin and his wife offered to act as our rear gunners all the way home. That left a warm fuzzy feeling knowing that there are still people that will help and care.

Another emotional Helter-Skelter of a trial with the drama lasting all the way home. Dedicated Marshals and helpers probably did too many hours but are so appreciated by us all, THANK YOU SO, SO MUCH. Thanks also to the organiser, land-owners and associated clubs.

News from the Ed’s bike shed

Well, when it comes to trials, if I didn’t have bad luck, I’d have no luck at all at the moment.

A bit of chaos with my work meant I didn’t start final prep of the Beta quite soon enough, although running-in the rebuilt engine is now pretty much complete, and the lights sorted out.

The Friday before the trial found me about 24 hours behind where I would like to have been, but I figured I still had time to do the final checks, collect the hire van, grab a bit of rest and drive up to meet Rick and his Tiger Cub at the Haynes Museum. Even the weather forecast didn’t look quite as bad as it might have done. Mostly dry and above freezing.

The final ‘pre-flight’ routine is to start at the front of the bike and work to the back, checking all the essential nuts and bolts with tools I carry on the bike, do the tyre pressures, pack the tools into their bag, strap bag to the back mudguard and the job’s a good ‘un.

The front tyre security bolt looked a little out of line, so I let the tyre down and put a spanner on it. It snapped like a rotten carrot!

This wasn’t in the plan. But, I did have a spare, which is awaiting fitment to the GasGas ES700, so I thought I’d use that instead. Wheel out, tyre off, tube out. Oh, the valve looks rather rusty where it’s bonded to the tube. A gentle tug, and, you guessed it, it cracked out of the tube.

This cannot be happening!

A call to Launceston Tyre Company elicits the unwelcome news that Kevin is waiting for delivery of 21 in tubes. Well, none of this was in the script. I want a re-write.
Next step: call Camelford Bike Bits.

“Do you have any 21 in tubes.”
“Yes, I’m looking at them.”
Do you know, I’ve lived here for the best part of 10 years and never been to Camelford Bike Bits?

Well, I have now. Amazing. It’s like a bike shop from the 1970s, freezing cold, oil on the floor, a sweet little dog in the window and an immaculate Triumph Mountain Cub (the trail bike version of the Triumph Tiger Cub from the 1960s) sitting in the showroom.

I hear a voice very like my own ask if it’s for sale…must be the devil talking. My lips never moved. Honest!

Luckily, it’s a customer’s bike. I buy my inner tube and leave.
Back in the garage, I question my sanity. I can do this, but I will be starting the event with my rest tank on empty and my stress tank full. Suddenly, it all seems unwise (but when was entering an all-night trial in the middle of Winter wise?).
That’s it, I’m out.

A text to Rick, a call to AAA Van Hire to cancel the van, and that’s two trials in a row where I’ve failed to start, which followed two trials in a row where I’ve failed to finish!
Do I dare even enter Holsworthy Motor Club’s Bill Vanstone Chairmans Trial on Sunday 22nd February?

Spectating at Simms

Stepping out on a step-through: heroic Sam Hill tackles Simms Hill on a Honda C90

A study in concentration: Emma Wall balances clutch, throttle, and handbrake for an immaculate restart

With an unexpectedly free Saturday, my thoughts immediately turned to treating Kate to a lovely day out…spectating at Simms!

She agreed with some enthusiasm. I was worried now. She’s never actually seen one of these events in the metal…would she be horrified?

Getting to Ilsington village was an adventure in itself, with the Focus dashboard lighting up with temperature and skid warnings, and the ABS chiming in. Thank goodness for Bridgestone Weather Control tyres.

We mingled with trials traffic as we entered Ilsington village…and the place was rammed.

“Look at all these selfish people parking in the street,” I complained to Kate. But when we got to the designated spectator parking we were turned away. “It’s full, just park where you can.”
So we did.

The spectator areas must have had crowds of hundreds. But there emerging from the crowd were Rob and Liz. I’ve known them for decades since we were all in the Cambridgeshire TRF, and Rob now owns the woodland adjacent to Simms and he and Liz will host me and the other two Simpson brothers on our annual Spring trail-riding tour of South Devon. The old slogan used to say ‘You meet the nicest people on a Honda’…I’d contend you make really good friends on a trail bike.

Greetings exchanged we found somewhere to spectate on the bank, with the ‘dynamic’ crowd all sliding slowly down the hill.

We saw the tail-end of the bike field, including the heroes on step-throughs, and an interesting selection of the cars. A Morris 1000 put many of the other cars to shame with a rapid but controlled ascent (well-driven Martin Chaplin), but the star of the show was undoubtedly Emma Wall who positioned her Troll T6 e perfectly on the Class 8 red restart, then pulled away gently up the hill with low revs and no wheelspin, making the whole section look like an easy drive on a country lane. The spectators were astonished.
A joy to watch, and almost worth the lecture I got on the way home about the demonstrable superiority of the female half of the human race when it came to driving cars!

Top tip

Still got a variety box/tin of biscuits left over from the Festering Season? Don’t throw the plastic insert away. The many little sub-divisions make ideal storage compartments for fasteners and small components when you are taking something (a Beta X-Trainer, for instance) to bits.

Chairman at Full Chat

Our only event in July was the return of the Motor Traders Car Trial to Waterloo Farm, featuring a 16-entry field and a great range of vehicles across the classes — from experienced drivers to first-timers. The lack of championship contenders this year was a little disappointing, but it is mid-summer and there’s plenty going on.

Some dampness made the morning rounds more challenging, with the majority of points dropped before the lunch break. However, with time for three rounds after lunch on much drier ground, the scores improved considerably. Calvin Moores won the Motor Traders Trophy from Arnie Martin — well done to them, to all the award winners, and many thanks to all competitors, marshals, and the landowner for the venue — all as appreciated as ever.

As I write this, we have our stand at the Launceston Show once again this year. At our recent committee meeting, it was agreed that while the show doesn’t produce sudden boosts in entries, it remains important to keep putting the club’s name out there in the community.

Looking ahead to August, we have a Production Car Autotest for cars, along with a Testing Trial for the bikes at Trevilla on 17th August. There’s a slight change in wording and eligibility for this one, but we hope to see as many of you as possible there. We’ll again be supported by Vic’s Catering Van.

A little added extra this month is an Evening Trial on 27th August, which Darren was keen to run. With the green light, it’s happening at Winsdon Farm. This event will be open to both bikes and cars but will be laid out similarly to a car trial (with added challenges for the bikes). Keep your eyes peeled for entries opening on our Facebook page and website. We’re aiming for a 6 PM start, with catering again in attendance. The emphasis will be on this being a late summer social event — with a competitive side!

Hope everyone is enjoying their summer, and I’ll catch you at an event soon.

Simon R.

The Motor Traders Trial     Sunday 6^th July 2025

After a break from the usual venue last year (held at Winsdon Farm in 2024), it was a return to Waterloo Farm with the kind permission of James Werren and family. The weather was variable and the sections were set up the previous day with the distraction of clouds of Horse Flies. The flying piranhas seem to breed well in the field hedges around the sections and were extremely hungry after a year without the Motor Trader victims: ask Nigel and the Ruby family what it was like on Saturday!

Sunday came and there was a threat of showers and gusty winds which would make for an interesting days trialling. There was a total lack of entrants for the ASWMC Championship which was disappointing, but 16 others entered with variable experience of field trialling. The Trial consisted of six sections that were completed five times during the day with a lunch break in the middle and excellent mobile catering provided by Vic’s Mobile Catering Van to add ballast for the afternoon!

The sections were also updated (changed) throughout the day especially if the marshals thought it was too easy. Different tyre pressures were set for the different car classes in an attempt to level the playing field.

Adam Sutton came from afar also doing a trial for the first time in a yellow Suzuki and learned so much. Keira Johns had never driven a car and passenger Darren Ruby commented on an “interesting” experience in the Micra, but boy did she do well! Emma Groves drove her Beetle with determination and beat the other class 3 car. Millie Carter was driving Calvin Moores class 8 Special for the first time and was threatening Calvins pride by almost matching his scores – girl power. She shook off the jitters and surprised herself with the Ladies Award!  This is why we do these field trials and encourage youngsters and some grumpy old gits!

John Sandercock in his Saxo showed his car skills and stormed his way to a class win. Bob Hutt closely followed John in his red Toyota and got the most out of the car with improving skills as he learns its foibles. Dave Haizelden drove the well-sorted Golf Mk1 GTI and commented “it’s not ideally suited to this Trial”. That may be true but he had an inspiring drive clearing hills with verve and zest, what a great car and driver combo.

Simon Willey was partnered by the Duracell Ninja, Nick Sherrin in his Reliant. Nick bounced and shifted shadows all over the car to complement Simons considerable skills at the wheel: how they got up some hills I’ll never know.

The Escort Mk1 of Arnie and Joe Martin was destined with a class win for Arnie and the Junior Award for Joe with him equalling father in round one and beating him in round five. Father had the last word and beat him on points in the car. The low gearing and smooth driving of the car delivered the results.

The same can be said with the impressive drive of Steve Ball in his Suzuki X90 which was well prepared and driven. James Holder in his immaculate Toyota MR2 improved as the day went on and certainly showed the car’s capability which was impressive to watch. The steering lock is a bit limiting but with precision positioning at some of the gates showed what can be achieved.

James was followed by Hannes Tanzer in his red Marlin as a first time trialer. He is more used to speed events and quickly adapted to feeling the car and how it was connected (or not) to the grass. He was very competitive and even took the doors off the car to lose weight.

Zak Ruby and Ed French drove my Liege for the day with Zak gaining the Novice Award and Ed winning the class with a first drive in the car.

Overall winner of the Motor Traders Trophy was Calvin Moores in his Special and only dropped 14 points during the day. Impressive driving skills that keep delivering fantastic result, helped of course by Millie in the passenger seatJ.

The squadron of Horse Flies seemed to keep away most of Sunday due to climatic conditions except for a couple of marks on Andrew Rippon! A final THANK YOU to all marshals and everyone involved in the day, without you we couldn’t run these events. I hope the memories and smiles continue well into the future.

Simon O.

Ed in the Bike Shed

Testing, testing

As Bryn,our much-loved old lurcher clocks up the years (15 so far), there is always, hanging in the background, the sad knowledge that this year or next might be his last. And I’m starting to feel the same way about my KTM 950 Adventure. It’s fine mechanically, but parts are starting to get a bit thin on the ground, so any failure or mishap might signal the end for it.

Built in 2004, owned by me since 2005, it’s survived three house moves and a divorce! Soon it will be old enough to qualify for the Vintage Moror Cycle Club. So, I always have to keep an open mind about its replacement. A couple of years ago I tried a KTM 890 Adventure, and didn’t like it. Subsequently issues have emerged with the 790/890 parallel-twin engine, and with the financial health of KTM itself, so I can only feel I dodged a bullet by not buying it.

Last month I found myself back at our local KTM dealer: the excellent JD Racing in Saltash. Part of the showroom is now dedicated to Suzuki, and my attention was drawn by the DL800 V-Strom adventure bike. It should actually be called the P-Strom, as like its KTM rival, a parallel twin has replaced the earlier models’ V-twin engines.

They didn’t have a DL800 demo, but they did have the naked road bike that shares the same engine: the GSX 8S. So I took it for a quick spin. It’s styled to appeal to the combat trousers, paratrooper boots and crewcut brigade, but I have to say, that it has a much nicer engine than the 890 KTM, a fantastic gearbox (just like my lovely old Suzuki DR350S had, but with a quickshifter!) and excellent-quality suspension. The cable clutch is more abrupt than the hydraulic ones used by KTM, which might be a problem off-road.

Because of the design you wouldn’t want to ride it for long at high speed, but it’s difficult to fault otherwise. My only reservation is the twin headlamps (shared with the DL V-Strom). I don’t know how effective they are at night, but with each lens seemingly only the size of a playing card, they mean the bike could be easily missed by car and truck drivers in the daylight.

I don’t want one, but if I have to pension the 950 off, I’d consider buying one. As for Bryn the lurcher…I don’t think he could ever be replaced.

Sticky-back plastic

Ethanol evaporating through the fuel tank has made the stick-on black graphic panels on the KTM look ever-more tatty (thanks Gretta). No replacement available so I made my own out of black car-wrap film (a bit like the sticky-back plastic of Blue Peter fame).

I created templates using stick-on tracing paper from a dress-makers shop, then cut the shapes out of the film with a craft knife: the kind with snap-off blades I tried a Stanley Knife, but the blade is to thick to get a fine enough cut. I then used surgical spirit to remove the old graphics and glue, to create a pristine surface.

To prevent the bubbles returning, I placed each of the freshly cut sheets face down on a sheet of thick cardboard and used a hammer and hollow punch to create rows of 3mm holes at 40 mm intervals. This, I hoped, would allow the ethanol to escape through the sheet rather than bubble it without making the bike look like it had been machine-gunned!

I carefully peeled the graphics into place, and they look OK, from a distance at least. They do still bubble, but you can just ease the bubble towards the nearest hole before it gets too big.

Was it worth the effort?

Well, it was a bit of a faff, but it was worth it (just). If I did it again, I’d make 4- or 5-mm holes which would hopefully vent the vapour a bit better. And if anyone wants to give it a try, I’ve got loads of the tracing paper left…I don’t think I’ll take up dressmaking just yet.

First aid

As we all know, it’s become increasingly difficult to source professional first aiders to cover our events, so we have grown our own. These are a few hard-working members of the club exec/marshalling team. I am going to arrange further first aid training for these good people, but more volunteers would be welcome. Remember, as a competitor you may actually be first ‘on scene’ at an incident, and knowing what to do to aid an injured party may well mean a better outcome for both them and you!

Email me on richardsimpson94@yahoo.co.uk if you are interested.

Next Month…

It occurred to me that post Easter’s Land’s End Trial I cleaned the Beta X-Trainer, lubed the bits that might go rusty, pumped up the tyres, put it on its stand…and it’s just been a fuel bowser for the lawn-mower since. Not good. So I’ll (hopefully) give it a run out at the forthcoming Invitation Trial. Remember fellow motorcyclists…my presence there means that you will almost certainly beat at least one other contestant…ME!

And I’ll also be producing another newsletter. All contributions welcome: words, pics or both. And you don’t have to be called Simon to get published!

Again email me at richardsimpson94@yahoo.co.uk with tales from trials or workshop. Workshop-related car content is particularly welcome.

See you on a section, somewhere

Richard

Next Events:

17/08/2025   Invitation Trophy Trial – Non damaging car auto test & testing trial for bikes.

27/08/2025   1^st Evening Field Trial – 6pm at Winsdon Farm, North Petherwin.