Cloburn
As with most people associated with motorcycle trials it’s usually installed in them at a very early age and once it’s in the blood the seed is planted forever. Life and times may change but once a trials rider always a trials rider. The addiction of this two wheeled motorcycle sport is like a drug of fun and enjoyment for all ages and abilities. We all know the story which usually follows the introduction to the sport at a young age, growing up, settling down and yes you have guessed it once again, and a return to motorcycle trials. From the very early days of riding around his father’s farm, go on guess, on a Yamaha TY80, Phil Clough loved motorcycle trials. Working hard has never been an issue for Phil and Debbie and they have built up a successful business in transport. Never ones to take their eyes of their business interests they set up a new venture in 2015, Cloburn Trials and Enduro, why Cloburn? Phil Clough – Debbie Otterburn-Cloburn. It was time for Trials Magazine to visit this relatively new trials venture for a ‘Brew’ and a catch up.
The business world is a tough one to be in and everyone needs an outlet to enjoy the fruits of their success. Phil and Debbie live near Helmsley where the motorcycle shop is based surrounded by acres of land where they can enjoy Phil’s motorcycles and Debbie’s horses. They have two children, Laura and Olivia, who enjoy a mix of both motorcycle and horse power. With their main business started by Phil and Debbie back in 1999 in transport and supplying aggregates working very well for them, Phil wanted to spend more time involved with his first love and hobby, trials.
TEMPTED BY TV
The adventure to what would eventually lead to Cloburn motorcycles goes back to 2006 when Phil was watching indoor trials on television one evening at their previous address in Cumbria. His mind would go back to the many hours of fun spent trials riding. The next day he went to the old White Brothers Motorcycles shop in Darlington and purchased a second hand Gas Gas. Such was the fun enjoyed with his new ‘Toy’ he would make the return journey some time later for a newer model and once again he was hooked on trials.
Over the next few years he would become a regular and popular face at trials in the Cumbria area and this would continue when the family moved back ‘home’ to North Yorkshire in 2013 where trials can be found in abundance every weekend. The hugely popular Reeth Three Day trial held in the summer months was a must for Phil to compete in. Socially it’s also good to get involved with the massive entry of riders and it was here in 2015 where he started talking to Tom Affleck about the idea of a trials shop. Phil had noted Tom sat in the trials queuing at the hazards talking to other riders and thought “he’s a sharp lad” which set him off thinking of the idea of starting a business with Tom involved.
After returning home from the event as always he spoke with his partner Debbie about the idea. They both agreed that with the facilities available at their home they could start a trials shop utilising the buildings already on the premises.
ALL CHANGE
Phil spoke in depth with Tom about the idea and they shook hands on the venture. This would be a massive career change for Tom, who is an Electrical Engineer by trade, but, as with Phil, he has a massive passion for trials and a strong work ethic.
In September 2015, Cloburn Trials and Enduro was opened, part of one of the buildings on the premises had been converted into the trials shop, with Tom and his keen eye and excellent sales skills in charge. With encouragement from the trade they first took on the Sherco dealership followed later by Gas Gas and more recently TRS.
To support the youth and development side of the sport they also took on the Oset electric trials bike dealership. With Phil’s natural ‘Let’s do a deal’ talk, Tom soon learned how to trade in the trials world and the business blossomed almost immediately.
To show his support for the sport Phil helps several youth riders including Jack Price. As always trials riders were quite inquisitive about the new venture and they soon realised that Cloburn Trials shop was the place to contact when looking at changing their machines with the huge stock of new and used bikes that they carry plus all the parts to keep them going. A full range of clothing and accessories compliment the machines available.