APPRENTICE
In a time where it appears that the future for our youngsters is aimed towards a cyber world to earn a living, sporting motorcycle dealer Colin Appleyard Motorcycles wanted to follow the traditional route and start an apprentice mechanic in its busy workshop. One of the major players in the world of motorcycles, Appleyards had started to sponsor one of the country’s ‘Hot’ schoolboy riders in the Youth A class British Championship Keiran Child. As he approached the end of his school years, motorcycle general manager Kevin Feeny had followed his trials career with interest and made the decision to take it a step further, and offered him an apprenticeship. “Colin Appleyard’s is a long established motorcycle dealership with a very strong sporting heritage. My father Stuart started with the company at the very beginning and came through the various areas from the workshop to stores before moving into sales, then joining the management team before he retired. I followed pretty much the same route, which is rather a traditional one, but it is seen as a way of investing in the company’s future. When Colin Appleyard started the adventure which would lead to them becoming one of the largest motorcycle retailers in the north of the country he did it very much in the traditional way as he was also a keen trials rider. Keiran has shown his maturity in the youth ranks of trials, and at the moment is in a battle for the runner-up position in the Youth A class British Championship. He came to Appleyard’s after a discussion with his dad and off the back of this he will serve a structured apprenticeship where, at the end of his education, he will hopefully become a fully qualified motorcycle technician.”
Trial Magazine decided it was time to have a quick chat with Keiran about trials and his future.
“Yes it’s been quite a strange year as we have tried to challenge Jack Peace, but he has been performing at a level above us all. The aim all year has been to beat him but in the meanwhile the battle for the runner-up position has been very intense as the positions of the top three have been very close. I have enjoyed this year as the series gives you the opportunity to watch the adult riders.”
“My first trial was at Deer Park, Bingley near Leeds on a Gas Gas 50. If I remember correctly I slept very well that night as it was a very tough day, but I certainly enjoyed it.” Is trials at your house a family sport? “Yes trials has been in the family for many years. My father used to ride and my three brothers also ride or have ridden in competitions.”