Old Bike Australasia

Twin Shock Trial

Western Districts Trials Club Twin Shock Master’s Trial • 4 November, 2018 – Conondale Qld.

- Report and photos Colin Sheehan

92 bikes turned out for this annual event, arriving on Saturday to enter and settle in and have a Show & Shine. Sunday dawned bright, sunny and with the threat of heat, but luckily almost all of the 8 sections were marked out in the rocky creek bed that runs beside the motocross track. The great appeal of trials is that all are welcome and a warm friendly atmosphere pervades. The range of machines can include anything from the usual Yamaha TY series and Honda TLR range to the classic Spanish and British marques and many more. The oldest bike competing on the day was a 1956 James Captain ridden by Terry Telfer. Robert Gough’s rare 1965 Bultaco 250 Sammy Miller model was the jewel in perfectly restored form which attracted a lot of attention.

Once the trial began, the bikes dispersed throughout the bush to eagerly get started. The rules are basic in that you aim to ride through the section marked by tapes without placing feet on the ground, dismountin­g, stalling or breaking/ crossing the tapes. The sections were laid out over some really rocky parts of the creek with algae playing a part in the hazards as well.

It was interestin­g to see just how well the old machines performed when compared with some of the

modern trials irons running in the trial for the fun of it. Four laps of the eight sections saw many folk feeling the heat, but still thoroughly enjoying the day. Former Australian trials champion Peter Paice was on hand to watch and reminisce. Western District Trials Club is very active in the general western area of Brisbane and beyond and recently hosted the Queensland Titles.

 ??  ?? Pre-race briefing
Pre-race briefing
 ??  ?? Former champion Peter Paice watching Jarrod Bowen negotiate the rocky creek bed.
Former champion Peter Paice watching Jarrod Bowen negotiate the rocky creek bed.
 ??  ?? Justin Gough with his father Robert’s 1965 Bultaco “Sammy Miller” model.
Justin Gough with his father Robert’s 1965 Bultaco “Sammy Miller” model.
 ??  ?? Ashley Jamieson attacking the rocks in the creek.
Ashley Jamieson attacking the rocks in the creek.
 ??  ?? ABOVE Mason Pugh showing the way for the younger riders on his TY175 Yamaha. LEFT Tom Wager and Ele Coleman aboard their Yamaha sidecar outfit.
ABOVE Mason Pugh showing the way for the younger riders on his TY175 Yamaha. LEFT Tom Wager and Ele Coleman aboard their Yamaha sidecar outfit.

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