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Well!  the shock win by Fujinami yesterday at the Italian World round, has no doubt been a welcome “Shot in the arm” for our sport.  We have only seen a couple of the video clips so far, but it would appear that many of the sections were more natural, and more like they were when Fuji was in his Prime, so maybe that was a factor.      ( But also a big lesson for other people setting up events)

Not that they didn’t have some big steps, but the video clips I saw, showed only natural terrain - not hand built - it was surprising  to see Toni fail one of these, when he chose a slightly different line on a double uphill step. - But when you consider that he was in hospital a couple of weeks ago with a broken bone in his leg, the fact that he is riding at all is amazing.
The other highlight of this event, was to see the young Brits dominating the junior class, a good sign for the future, and also nice to see Emma bounce back on day #2 in the Women’s class.

However, it is also very noticeable that the top British riders have trouble getting a top ten finish in the Elite Class. - A far cry from when Dougie Lampkin was top dog for so many years.
The rider who seems to be very “Hot or Cold” is Jamie Busto - he struggled again in Italy.
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As mentioned, Barry stopped by yesterday for a visit, and he got to see the latest TRS Gold and Beta Evo - but perhaps the biggest surprise for him, was when he was checking over the Gold TRS, and I showed him how it started at the touch of the magic button !! - Like me Barry has a bad knee and can’t start bikes anymore, but it’s unlikely that the new technology will renew his interest in the sport.

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A blast from the past - not sure which event this was at, but it shows myself and Aaron Brassard - the bike is a Sherco which we sold from 1999-2011. Taff’s Toy Hauler is at the back.

Another good shot I got of Sean Bird at the Super Stars a couple of  years ago on the Beta - that was a tricky section.

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Gary Mac had two zero points days at the Alvie Vintage Trial at the weekend riding the beautiful   Triumph cub     ( Borrowed and likely worth about 20 grand) The event is held just 4 miles down the road from where Harry & Wendy McKay live in Aviemore.

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Beta are now into MX and had riders in their first event at the weekend held in Russia - check out the crowds. - I don’t see any masks.!

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Another Beta memory and another brilliant Evo 200,

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Here is a pic of Barry & myself yesterday when he stopped in for a visit - We have not seen him for about 10 years.

IOCO News.
cbc.ca Motorcycle club ousted out of popular Metro Vancouver park | CBC News The Canada Pacific Trials Association has been using and maintaining trails in the Belcarra and Ioco area since 1971. Metro Vancouver Parks has refused to renew their lease.

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Adam Raga (TRS)  lost out for the win by just one point at the first 2021 World Round in Italy on Saturday - And a great ride by Matteo Gratarolla  ( Beta) to finish 3rd, beating out top riders like Busto and Fajardo.

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Here is a nice shot of a Fantic rider at the Scottish Classic Trial - Steve Saunders had a Stator failure on his Fantic  but hopes to get it running for the Sunday Trial.

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News from the World Trial in Italy -  Emma Bristow wins on Day #2 and below the 125 class is dominated by British riders .

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And this is a surprise in the top class - Well done Fuji.

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The weekend is here, and a couple of big Trials events happening in Europe - The Highland Classic in Scotland and the World Trial in Italy. - the Scottish event will feature lots of old neat bikes and also the Natural sections that are popular with many riders. - The World Round in Italy will likely have the usual crazy sections that seem to be the norm these days - hopefully nobody gets hurt. ( Although at least a couple of very good riders will not compete as they are on the injured list)

It will be interesting to see how Laia Sanz does in her return to Trials, the former ladies World Champion is big and strong, but she will need to be good to beat the current Champ Emma Bristow, who looks to be very smooth in the practice videos.

At least it would appear they have some natural riverbed rock sections

Day #1 scores.

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Now here is a real Classic - Bill Barough always rode a DOT but this is a really old one - he was always easy to pick out by his helmet with circles on it.

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A nice old Greeves ridden last weekend in the Ontario Vintage Trial .

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Friday was another interesting day with a visit from Andrew James to pick up some parts for his TRS - we haven’t seen  Andrew for at least a year, and he told me he has had a couple of nasty falls, which have caused him problems with his neck. -

Later we had Sven from Sparwood stop by to pick up parts for his Beta Evo that he just bought from a guy I sold it to in 2015 - the bike was immaculate with virtually no hours on it, a real gem, so all he needed was a shifter and a spare filter. - plus he picked up a pair of boots.

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Sunshine today and we are expecting a visit from our old buddy Barry Van As - who we have not seen for about 8-10 years - I will post more on this for tomorrow.

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We have posted this pic of Sammy before - it took a lot of courage to drop off big walls like that on the old bikes, when brakes were poor. - I used to practice at a local spot on the outskirts of Calgary back in the early 70’s, which had such a wall. - It took a very long time before I finally had the nerve to ride it -                           I had a  de-compressor on my Sherpa T which helped  but it was definitely a scary moment - I was also by myself ( not a good idea) - Of course these days there would be people all round taking video on their phones!!

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I was chatting  with somebody the other day, about the History of Trials and how both the sport and the bikes have changed. - ( Not for the better in many ways)   - One aspect of this conversation was in regard to the mistaken belief that modern Trials bikes are easy to ride and great for people to learn on!!  -

Well! I can tell you that putting a newbie on a modern 300 is a bit like putting them on a bucking bronco, at the Calgary Stampede.
The fact is that the latest, light, very powerful bikes, accelerate  so quickly, that any new rider can soon find themselves sitting on the ground, while the bike goes flying off into the distance. - It is maybe a North American thing, that people think they need a big bore, when in fact the small capacity bikes, are by far easier to ride.
Perhaps the best thing fitted to most of the new bikes these days, is the Tether switch, a safety device that can cut out the motor and save big dollars caused by run-a-way machines.

Naturally, the best place to buy and learn about the sport, is with a Trials dealer,  as these are usually riders themselves and understand just how quick these bikes are, plus they know what is the best size machine for the first time Trials rider.
I guess one of the big problems, is the perception  by many people, that Trials bikes are just “Phoo-phoo” bikes  and unfortunately without the proper instruction, many new customers end up scaring themselves to death and sell the bike very quickly.

Because of this, we always recommend taking a Learn -to -ride course, with somebody like Sammy King, or at least go out with somebody experienced who can teach the “baby steps” required to enjoy both the new Trials bike and the great outdoors.

The fact is, Trials bikes used to sell in far greater numbers when they had a seat, simply because a large percentage were just used as trail bikes, and yes back then, the bikes were way more docile than they are now.

The general public have never really understood what Trials bikes are all about - and the ones looking for that easy to ride trail-bike  have been wooed, by the new Enduro bikes with electric start and after-market clutches.

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It was only when many of the World Trials stars switched to Enduro and won just about everything, that Trials bikes and Trials techniques got renewed attention, the racer crowd began to buy used Trials bikes to learn how to ride, difficult obstacles and terrain, something that Trials riders have been doing since the turn of the Century.

This had many people commenting ” Trials is booming isn’t it?” - Sadly this is not the case at all, and as long as the sport is viewed on U tube and other media outlets as a stunt show - bike sales will remain small. (IMHO)
This past season, we have noticed a large interest in the new TRS Xtrack model, especially as it now comes with an electric start - we are not at all surprised by this, as these bikes fill the gap between the Competition only, stripped down models, and the Enduro bikes which are much taller and heavier.

It remains to be seen how Canadian Trials will move ahead when this Pandemic is over - but one thing is for sure, we are in a very small specialized market - The Japanese found that out to their cost in the 1970’s.

The good thing, is that Trials riders are probably more passionate about their sport than most - they don’t really care if few people understand it.
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Still on the new bike theme - as most people have noticed - the prices on the new Trials bikes have sky-rocketed over the past few years - check out the  UK advert below for a reality check.

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And a pic to whet the appetite of all my Xtrack customers. This one taken in Italy.

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Here is a pic of the  2021 TRS Factory Gold Editions - Only 150 for World wide distribution and Steve Saunders says all his were sold within 45 minutes of being released.

As most of our readers know, we have a Gold 280 #99 which is also listed with a Nivis as a 2021, but is a different color to these latest models. - The main thing to remember, is that these bikes are very limited, so if you haven’t ordered one, it’s unlikely you will get one.

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Congrats to young Sebastion Wandler, who took the Junior win at Ioco last Sunday riding a borrowed TRS in his first ever event - Of course his Dad Dean  rode Expert for a number of years.

We now have the full results from this Trial  thanks to Don Doerksen, and can forward them via email to anybody wishing to see them. Plus I’m sure they will be posted on the CPTA website shortly.

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A nice pic of the Spanish Mountains - great for Trials excursions

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The Highland Classic Two Day Trial – “FANTIC” Edition will be held this weekend on 12/13 June 2021 at Alvie Estate, Kincraig, Highland and organized by the Inverness & District Motor Cycle Club Ltd. The event is for Pre’65, Twinshock and Britshock motorcycles with 8 classes.

Trademarked as ‘The Friendliest Classic Trial in Scotland’ attracts an entry of 160 riders from across the UK. Plus a group of 40 ‘Signature Riders’ who have either contributed their expertise to motorcycle sport or won Scottish, British or even World Championships over the years.

The past few years a guest of honor is selected to ride and a special brand theme edition was created. The last “SWM” Edition in 2019, I was selected as guest of honor. This year’s guest of honor is Steve Saunders riding a Fantic.

The Highland Classic Two-Day Trial originally started as a one day Pre-65 trial at Alvie Estate back in 2004, held later in the year.

Originally, there had been a Highland Two-Day Trial which began in 1949 and ran into the early 1960’s. This event was well supported and organized then by the Highland Car & Motor Cycle Club (now the Highland Car Club).

I’d like to take the opportunity to wish the organizer, observers, riders, sponsors, photographers and media a wonderful weekend. I hope to return in 2022. Keep your feet up.

Sharing photography from 2019 by Eric Kitchen, Chris Sharp, Fin Yeaman, Tim Britton and Jaxx Lawson

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Birthday greetings today to Dominique Doyon from Lumby and Steve Mills from Bragg Creek.

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Last night we had a call from John Dearie - we have not chatted to him for at least a year - caught up on some news.

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Footnote:  Many thanks to all the people who posted best wishes to Babs & myself on FB yesterday on our 59th Wedding Anniversary - (At last count it was over 70)

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Today is quite a special, as it was on this date back in 1962, that Babsy and myself got married - lots of water under the bridge since then with many happy memories. - Happy Anniversary  Sweetheart.

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Check out this story on Fujigas - who starts another year of riding World Trials next weekend at age 41. - I think I saw him for the first time in 1995 at the UK World Round - have some video somewhere in my files.

trialworld.es Fujinami afronta su temporada 26 en el mundial: “con 41 años quiero saber dónde puedo llegar” Fujinami afronta su temporada 26 en el mundial de trial con Montesa: “con 41 años quiero saber dónde puedo llegar”

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Pic of Jim Snell unloading  his shipment of TRS bikes so ours can’t be far away from Vancouver now can they?

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Below is a shot of Mick on the Yam at the 1975 FIM Trial at Bragg Creek Alberta. and with the Ossa and Bernie Scheiber.

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The other day we posted a shot of all the Bultaco Trials models from the past - here is a similar one showing the rival Montesa bikes from that era - before they were bought by Honda. Below you see a pic of Stan when he rode the 200 Monty.

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Yesterday we enjoyed a nice visit with Emily Roberts of Motorcycle Mojo - she was in town picking up her KTM after getting some work done on it. - Emily always has a ton of stories to tell and is  a pleasure to have stop by - after a cup of tea - we showed her the latest bikes in the shop and talked Trials for a bit, before she headed back to Revvy - Today she flies down East for a three week stay with her Mum & Dad, who run the Magazine . - Watch out for more news on “Super Gal” in the coming weeks.

Here is nice pic of Emily when she was in town picking up a BMW to test for the Motorcycle Mojo Mag:

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We have also heard from Britta, another one of our Trials gals -( We posted a pic of her a few days ago)   she says she had a fall and broke a rib earlier this year, but is now recuperating  and back at work Tree-Planting.

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