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There is a very good video link via Trials Central  (Forums) on the USA World round, posted by cman  - It shows all the top guys on and off their bikes on day one. Dougie doesn’t really look like he was into this one - maybe he was thinking about the upcoming Scottish? - Now with that win firmly under his belt, maybe we will see a a really big effort to try for that 100th World Round win.

Getting back to the Scottish - this was a record year for temperatures, with no rain, which is unbelievable for the Highlands. - I’m sure this was also the reason that so many riders kept going to the finish - nothing like the sound of rain lashing against the window first thing to convince riders having a tough time to quit.

As I’ve said before on this subject, the average North American rider, hasn’t a clue just how difficult the SSDT is, and anybody who has finished the event deserves a “Tip of the Hat”

Only three days left, after tomorrow, until the 2008 Outlaw Two Day. - The Trial kicks off with the Vintage on Saturday, and we will be sure to see some good action between the likes of Steve Fracy on his 300 Fantic, and Don Doerksen on the Majesty - They will ride the “A” line, and of course Steve Richardson will be looking for that first elusive win in the “B” class - A sleeper in this may be Luke Towers, who will be out for the first time on the Outlaw Fantic.!

Barry called last night, and says he is coming down to watch on Sunday - which reminded me to post that there are a number of sections, within easy walking distance from the camp on both days. - i will post a Spectator guide along with  my rough route map at the start. - I have named all the sections, and one in particular could catch a few “Fives” is the last one on both days - its called “Sting” ( in the tail)

Another section - Grouse Hill - which last year was an Expert section, is on the Saturday loop this year, and will be tackled by the Vintage riders. ( I’ve eased it up a bit) - This will also be the Sunday loop for Junior and Senior riders.

The Sunday loop - for Expert, Advanced, Intermediate riders, will take in such old favorites as, “Big Rock” and “Double Trouble” - we had the local TV station filming here a few years ago. - Then there’s  a new one called Pipe-Burn ( I will be putting that in tomorrow) and “Far Away” plus the Sunday bunch get to ride the popular  “Shale Climb” . - The stage is pretty much set - all we need now are the actors.!!

After a good night’s sleep, I’m up early as usual, checking all the news on the “Sites” - My knees seem to be working again this morning - the hiking up & down the hill sections really takes it’s toll on the old body.

Strange how little is posted on the Scottish, just two days later.- You would think there would be more stories -

I see Taff has a couple of pics on the ATRA site - nice to see he has “The Missus” out on a bike.

Checked the forecast again for the weekend - Friday 27 - Saturday 28 - Sunday 29 - Should be “Perfect”

Lots of stuff to do this week, even though things are going well with the Trial set up. - We now have 17 sections in for both days on separate loops - some old favorites, as well as some new ones. - Paul and I went up the Hill Climb section used last year on the Expert - no problems on the Beta, pulled 4th even though it’s only the 250 model. - I should add though that this is still a difficult climb, and unless you really get on the throttle early - you don’t make it. - We won’t be using this one, I have decided to put in a different ( Harder) one for the Experts - time those lads got to tackle a REAL hill. -

( I also took the 4T up the Hill at camp - naturally it proved to be no problem - and the thumper power really is a mind grabber) - I do however plan on taping off the two climbs at camp, as last year I saw quite a few dislodged boulders crashing down into the parking area - not good with kids around etc.
Today is Fantic day, as I have to do a bit of work on Taff’s bike. - Luke Towers will be riding my other Fantic on Saturday - he will be out with his lad to enjoy the fun. - Bobby is still trying to get his Gasser sorted for the weekend, and is threatening to ride his Honda Trail 90 in the Vintage !!!

More news as it happens ——> Just been watching some video of the Scottish on www.ssdtresults.co.uk - when the results come up scroll down until you see video for each day the quality isn’t great but the crashes are!!

Well ! I hope everybody had a good day - especially the “Mothers” - I picked Paul up at 7.30am and we headed for Summerland - We had some rain overnight, and the Valley was pretty socked in ( This turned out to be snow on the higher ridges) - - However, no problems out on the course, except the rocks were slick as snooot. - We spent about 3 hours, doing set up and flagging, before returning to the van and unloading the Sherco 4T. - This is really quite a bike and a huge improvement on the 05 - it starts easily, and has oodles of power in either map position - Paul said that it was the first time he has seen a rooster tail coming from a Trials bike on the way up the road.

I watched the F1 race early this morning (5am) but it wasn’t very exciting - Filipe Massa won for Ferrari - Hamilton 2nd ( McLaren) and Raikkinen ( Ferrari) 3rd.

Only one week to go until the BIG EVENT. !!!

No final results yet from Scotland, but there are ten riders clean so far today , including Dougie and Brown. - Jordie Pascuet dropped a few yesterday, and is now 6th, behind Braybrook, Haslam and Dabill.

A Ferrari is on pole for the F1 race in Turkey tomorrow, but the McLarens of Kovalainen, and Hamilton are close behind.

The World Super bike boys are at Monza this weekend - with Troy Bayliss looking to increase his lead in the Championship.

Quite a busy day for me yesterday - setting up bikes etc - Ross came to pick up the Beta late in the afternoon, and I have a new Sherco to deliver to Calgary asap. - I also got to try the new 08 Sherco 4T in the driveway - believe me this is quite a bike, with BIG improvements over the 05 model, that I had - it starts easily, and has awesome power - I also noticed a change when changing the map switch -quite docile on #1 position, but a fire breathing rocket on #2. - I will have this at the Outlaw next weekend.

Paul and myself will be going to Summerland tomorrow ( Sunday) - I know it’s Mother’s Day - but the work has to get done.

more news as it happens >>>> SCOTTISH - Latest news Dougie still clean so far today - he is on 5 points for the week - Brown is on 10, a good battle for third between Braybrook 22, Haslam 23, Pascuet 23. - Jarvis is still clean today but is back a bit with 34 points.

——————>>> With only Town Hall Brae to punch in - looks like the final results are

1st Doug Lampkin Beta 5 points

2 Michael Brown Beta 10

3 James Dabill Hon/Mon 23

4 Jordie Pascuet Beta 23

5 Wayne Braybrook GG 23

6 Sam Haslam GG 27

7 Liam Walker GG 33

8 Graham Jarvis Sherco 35

9 Gary MacDonald Sherco 36

10 Dan Thorpe GG 40

11Alexz Wigg Hon/Mon 46

12 Ben Hemmingway Beta 46

13 Shawn Morris GG 50

14 Joe Baker Scorpa 52

15 Sam Connor Beta 53

16 James Lampkin Beta 55

17 Sam Ludgate Scorpa 59

18 George Morton Beta 60

19 Ian Austermuhle Beta 63

20 Ross Danby GG 69

There were 9 Beta’s - 5 GG, 2 Sherco, 2 Mont, 2 Scorpa - in the top twenty - Jack Challoner Beta took the Best Newcomer and 125 Cup. - Donna Fox GG won the Ladies award beating out World Champ Iris Kramer (Scorpa)

ALL the girls were way ahead of Daz Hessilton !!

Jordie Pascuet had the misfortune to lose five points because his Beta Rev 4, would not start in the required time on Friday morning - a real bummer as this lost him 3rd overall. ( And it would have been a Beta 1-2-3)

Another clear day in the Valley - hope it’s like this one week from today, when everybody will be headed for Summerland, and the 22nd Outlaw Two Day.

The planning that goes into any Trial, is the reason why it succeeds or fails, and often it’s the small details that make the difference. However, I can only guess at the hours spent by members of the Scottish Six Day Team, checking and re-checking things like route markers. - All it needs is for a rider to miss one “L” or “R” - marker on a fairly quick road part of the course, and he can miss a whole group of sections. - This happened to Steve Fracy in 1992, and resulted in an extra 150 points for the day. - not sure what happened to Amos yesterday, but he missed a total of 13 sections.? ( Gerry brought this to my attention last night)

Making sure all the flagging tape and arrows are up and visible - is really important at an event like the Outlaw, where the loop often winds back and forth across the mountain - miss one marker, and you could end up on another part of the course. - This year, we have two separate loops, on Saturday, -the Vintage riders follow BLUE tape and BLUE arrows. - Sunday riders follow RED tape with black writing on it, and RED arrows. - On Sunday - Expert,Adv,Inter riders will follow the RED loop - Junior and Senior will follow the BLUE loop - Everything will of course be explained at the riders meeting. - Both loops are approx 15 km - nice easy riding through some of the best Trials terrain in BC.

If anybody has any questions on the Trial - please post on comments or email me direct.

NOTE ! - If anybody needs parts before the Outlaw -please make sure you let me know by Sunday night. !! - I always pack the van with as much stuff as I can think of - but with all the other things zipping around in my head, it’s important that you don’t leave this until late in the week.

Right - Thats the bikes unloaded, and the Beta all checked PDI done - Gas in and test rode in the driveway  - Everything as it should be. - Just checked the Scottish scores  and Dougie and Brown - Pascuet all lost one today so far - Braybrook is the only clean today - but its still Beta 1-2-3. ( Jarvis lost a five at Pipers Burn)

Well another long day - this time it was a 5am start for the drive to Vancouver to pick up bikes - A bit stiff and tired after the work out yesterday in Summerland, but not a big deal - Interesting that in Scotland they have had scorching weather all week - today I was driving in Snow,Rain,Sleet,and Fog - with some nice sunshine once I dropped down into the OK Valley late this afternoon.!!

Anyway There was some drama at the Scottish today, when one of the Army Tankers blew an engine, causing big delays, which in turn meant that a lot of sections had to be scrubbed, otherwise a lot of riders would have been stuck out on the moors in the dark. - The second section at “Gorton” proved to be a toughie - It took Dougie for two and Brown for 5 - but only two riders cleaned it - Ben Hemingway (Beta Rev4) and Richard Timperly (Beta Rev3) - Both Gary Mac and Jarvis fived it, so the order now is -

Lampkin (Beta) 2 Brown (Beta)6, Pascuet (Beta) 9, Dabill Mont/Hon) 11,Braybrook (GG) 11, MacDonald (Sherco4T) 12, Haslam (GG) 15,Hemingway (Beta) 17,Walker (GG)17,Jarvis (Sherco4T) 18, Morris (GG)20, Thorpe (GG) 20, Wigg (Hon/Mon) 23. - Maria Conway (Beta) still leads the Ladies with 165 . - Daz Hessilton ( Army guy) is in 182nd place - with 256 points ( Just to give you Albertan’s an idea how tough the Scottish is)

Valley weather looks good out the window - so the Outlaw set up should be OK - I expect Fred here at about 7 30am - he was pounding fence posts at his Armstrong Farm yesterday, so he might be a bit stiff.

News from Scotland is that the weather continues to be hot and sunny - incredible. - Quite a few riders on “Cleans” so far including Dougie - Jarvis has dropped One.

Neal Carter mailed to say Sherco took most of the classes at the Ontario event last Sunday - However Jordan Szoke was top man in Expert on the Beta Rev 4.

Thats all for now - a busy day ahead. - Right back home after a long tiring day in Summerland - Fred & myself did get a lot done - I think 13 sections in today - plus some big trees chainsawed out of the Gully.

Just checked the scores from Scotland, and it’s Beta 1,2,3 at the moment with Dougie still clean, Brown on 1, and Pascuet (Rev4)  6.

Cloudy and light rain ! that is the view out the window this morning - and unfortunately the forecast is the same for tomorrow, when Fred and myself will be going to Summerland to continue with the set up of the Outlaw Trial.

The weather in Scotland was pretty nice for the first day, and likely helped with the low scores by many of the top riders. - I see a few were unlucky to “Five” the very first section - Daz Hessilton was one, and Ladies World Champ Iris Kramer ws another. - Amos Bilbao was the only top rider to take a “Dab” on this one.

The much talked about Xispa bike, failed to show up in Scotland, although two were entered - no explanation for their non-appearance. ( Maybe Law suits from Sherco?)

Todo Trial have pictures up from the first day, there are always a lot of Spanish riders at the SSDT, and the coverage of the event is excellent ( if you can get through the translation)

Tuesday is traditionally a long tough day in Scotland - we will have to see who emerges at the top of the score sheets later.

Latest news from Scotland is that it is another hot sunny day !! - the top three riders, Lampkin, Haslam and Ludgate, are still clean after Laggon Locks - the dry conditions will probably be welcome on those long road parts of the course. - Daz Hessilton has lost five and so has Nigel Birkett. ( I know Mark is following his progress)

SCOTLAND - Dougie Lampkin is the only rider still clean at the moment !!!

Scotland 12 noon - Leader board at the moment

Lampkin (Beta) 0 points- Brown (Beta) 1 point - Gary MacDonald ( Sherco 4T) 2 points - Graham Jarvis (Sherco
4T) 3

Tuesday Results Leader board Top five. - Lampkin 0 Brown 1 MacDonald 1 Haslam 2 Jarvis 3

Today is the start of the Scottish Six Days, THE big event of the year. - riders are already returning from a 100 mile trek around the Scottish highlands, to the “Parc Ferme” - and no doubt there will be many tales told over a few pints in the local Pubs this evening. The weather is a mixture of sunshine and rain, depending on where you are, but it seems that there is a lot of water coming down creek beds that are usually dry.
The Pre-65 Trial, was won by Tony Calvert with one point lost over the two days, but the story of this event has to be Carlos Casas, - the popular Spaniard was leading the Trial with one point, until he “Fived” the very last section a couple of feet from the Out cards.

Dougie Lampkin is leading the Scottish with no points lost during the first day - also on zero are Sam Haslam and Sam Ludgate - a bunch are on one point also two, and three - Graham Jarvis is on three. - Daz Hessilton who rode in Alberta for a couple of years, has lost 87. - Emma Bristow leads the ladies class on 47.

A great day today at Blackfoot Park in Calgary - The sun was warm, and my old buddy Walt would have been proud of the turn out of Trials riders to honor him. - The new obstacles created by Team Doel, were a challenge but not dangerous, and all 28 of the entrants enjoyed this first ATRA event of the year. - I have posted about 45 pics on the gallery - it takes a while to edit and crop etc, and I’m sorry that I missed a few of the riders, but I will be sure to get you at the Outlaw in two weeks. It was a very nice friendly atmosphere at the event, and it would seem that the ATRA are in for a good year of sport. Thanks to everybody that stopped by to say Hi! - and especially if you bought something !!!!.

I see that Valentino Rossi (YAM) won the Moto GP in China, and Chad Reed (YAM) clinched the Super Cross Championship in Las Vegas - A great weekend for the company that I spent ten years working for. ( Ah ! So!!)

More tomorrow >>>>>>> Thanks for clicking on to the most popular Trials site in Canada !!!

Just heard that Steve Doel won the Expert Class at the Walt Healy Trial - Steve switched to an Outlaw Sherco this year, and it would appear that it suits him. It’s not often that anybody beats Chris Tronnes in an Alberta event.