RICK’S FIXES

After a chance encounter, Rick enjoys a break from the workshop to let rip off-road

Off-roading in a quarry and your technical queries answered

I love Christmas. Well, not tinsel and crackers, I mean the chance to get on in the workshop without interruptions. Trouble is, this means I usually miss out on any midwinter fun – but not this year. Earlier in December, I bumped into Graham Marchant at a Sidcup Club trial, and he said: “We have a fun day at a quarry near you on the 28th, if you fancy it. You know, have a ride about – there’s a barbecue, hot drinks... come along!” Now that sounded tempting – and my buddy Will Coleman was up for it as well, so that was decided.

I set off on my 500cc TRIBSA, with Will on his dad’s Yamaha XT500 (having promised not to dent the tank!). We didn’t know quite what to expect but to say it surpassed our hopes doesn’t quite get it. Trials hero Johnny Giles and my old friend (and boss) Paul Smart were there, along with a couple of dozen riders and machines of all ages.

The quarry is part of Graham’s family construction business and he opens it occasionally to invited guests, with friends helping to clear the site and man the barbecue. All you need is a helmet and boots, and entry is free – but given what you’re getting, it seemed appropriate to put notes in the Air Ambulance donation box rather than loose change...

This was the most serious off-roading I’ve done on the TRIBSA yet – and I was delighted with it. Will enjoyed himself, too, and I was really impressed with the XT – the big seat and indicators are deceiving.

We’ve all dreamed of having our own bit of rough ground, but it’s great to find someone like Graham who is generous enough to share it. We came back muddy, tired but blissfully happy. Thanks very much, Graham!

‘WE CAME BACK FROM THE QUARRY MUDDY AND TIRED, BUT BLISSFULLY HAPPY’

Rick accepted an invite from a man with his own quarry to come and have a play in it. Wouldn’t you?

ILLUSTRATION: IAIN@1000WORDS.FI WHO IS RICK? Rick Parkington has been riding and fixing classic bikes for decades. He lives and fettles in a fully tooled up shed in his back garden.