The Scottish Six Day Trial the oldest trial in the world, over 100 years since the first one, is held in sunny Scotland. This trial is the holy grail of trials to lots of riders. There are around 280 lucky competitors but many more miss out. The trial is based around Fort William in the Scottish highlands.
I picked up a new Beta EVO 300cc Super Smooth from John Lampkin the English Beta importer on Saturday. After a quick ride to acquaint myself with the bike it was rest up try to get over jet lag and get ready for the toughest six days of riding I will ever do. Sunday was a buz. This is the day I got to ride in a parade up the main street of Fort William. You would think a parade of 280 trials bikes is a bit ho hum, but it was really exciting. Lots of back slapping and lots of laughs. Everyone acts like an excited schoolkid.
Day one's ride is 68 miles long with 30 sections set in 10 groups. Fortunately the sun is shinning and it is suppose to for most of the event. Lot of double sections with the end of one section virtually the start of the next so you just keep riding through one then into another. The time limit was 6 hours and 57 minutes. Every sets off at minute intervals and my starting number was 162. I was in a group headed by Dougie Lampkin and his entourage. Monday's route was mostly riding through the moors more than normal according to the experienced riders around me. I can't get over how friendly everyone is. The sections were mostly uphill climbs on rocky creeks with pools of water in them. The Beta performed beautifully. The Super Smooth was the right bike for the event - power delivery is smooth and very progressive. There is heaps of torque down low, the handling is very light and easy and most important it never gets away from you like the normal big bore two strokes can.
The riding across the moors was really tough. After a lot of rain last week, the moors were wet and boggy. I had to keep going at a good speed to stop getting bogged. Unfortunately I came a big cropper at high speed. I just didn't see the bog hole. I went straight over the bars as the bike stopped dead in mud up to the seat. This is when the Scottish gets really hard. Your legs and back are aching after riding for so long without a break from standing on the pegs. Then you have to try to get your bike out of the bog. This section of moor took around 60 minutes and the crash happened after about 45. I was also getting held up with queues at sections so time was starting to get away from me. I rushed the last few sections just taking fives to make sure I finished on time. The route markers can be difficult to follow so I tried to stay with other riders. I rode near Jordi Pasquet for a long time. I also found the double sections difficult as I kept stopping at the wrong spot. All part of the learning curve at this unique and very different event.
Tomorrow is 88 miles but a lot more rode riding and less moors. Hopefully they will start to dry out with the sun and riding will be easier. This is just a great event. The aim is to finish on time and have a go at each section. So far so good.