Scottish Six Day Trial (SSDT)

[mtber]

For those of you who forgot that the annual SSDT has begun...here is your reminder.

For those of you who have not heard of it, the SSDT is a 6-day test of man and machine consisting of 30 steep, flowing creekbed sections per day, spaced along a 50-80 mile loop of road, street, and bottomless boggy moor crossings, which turn out to be the most challenging part of the long long day.

Here is an intro video to give you a taste of the nature of trials in Scotland, early May version:

http://vimeo.com/65578480

The link to the official website will show you that the scores vary between zero and a lot. Everyone rides the same line, if there is such a thing.

http://www.ssdt.org/


Our own Puget Sound Trials member Gary Lawver has decided that at the age of 62 he had better get on with logging his once in a lifetime (probably) entry. He has blog going from his Powersports business website, which gives you the flavor of the competition for the mere mortal among us (look for the "Gary's blog" link near the bottom.) For a gauge of talent, Gary rides Expert Support in our wet, slippery country... He is being minded (or ignored) by two of our NW Canadian riders, Guy Smeeth and Stan Bakgaard. Gary was chosen to wear one of six SPOT trackers.

http://www.skagitpowersports.com/def...sp?page=trials

[Irish John]

I heard from John Lampkin the other day, weather's been a factor.

[thegraydog]

Wow, this is a quiet thread. I've been following on Gary Lawver's blog listed above. It's good stuff, and improves what is hardly a firehose of info from the SSDT site.

The Scottish is so different from American trials -- it's just riding up riverbeds, ennit?

My wife wants to go -- how tough is spectating?

[lineaway]

Spectactors start at the pub and finish at the pub!
By the way Dougie just got his seventh win!

[NMTrailboss]

Originally Posted by thegraydog

Wow, this is a quiet thread. I've been following on Gary Lawver's blog listed above. It's good stuff, and improves what is hardly a firehose of info from the SSDT site.

The Scottish is so different from American trials -- it's just riding up riverbeds, ennit?

My wife wants to go -- how tough is spectating?

Missed 'ya in San Yo last week John...any chance at making Sipapu?

[LowPSI]

Remember that in 1982 Bernie Schreiber won the SSDT. Many other Americans have had success in the Scottish as well. Bernie once told me that it would be easier for an American to become World Champion than to win the Scottish. I wish that more Americans would give it a try. Its the greatest Trial in the world.

Full credit to Gary Lawver for giving it his all....at 62!

[lineaway]

We`ve had two club members ride
and finish. LowPsi, how many have you ridden?
Anybody care to guess who`s on the front cover?

[LowPSI]

Where did you dig up that up? that's some ancient stuff there. A pair of Martin's. One got 1st the other 41st. I only rode it once Bob. I always thought I'd go back. Just getting there is a big deal for us Yanks, but every year some Canadians manage to do it. It seems to be off our radar. They only allow 275 entries and this year 500 riders applied.

PS thanks for checking at the World Round. Looking forward to your report. Did you see that Bernie will be there? Pretty cool.

[lineaway]

Sure enough, last page has the results. Martin Lampkins first win and Martin B. 41st!

[thegraydog]

You are a brilliant archivist, lineaway... us latecomers hang on every word of this forum.

NMTB, the current plan/vow/hope is to make Sipapu, spend a week in transit, and go ride Cedar City with the Utah guys. Pretty good, huh!

[NMTrailboss]

Originally Posted by thegraydog

You are a brilliant archivist, lineaway... us latecomers hang on every word of this forum.

NMTB, the current plan/vow/hope is to make Sipapu, spend a week in transit, and go ride Cedar City with the Utah guys. Pretty good, huh!

That would be awesome on both counts! Hope to see you guys up there!!

[mung]

Cedar is a great place to ride but it can get very hot.

[Trialsguy]

Ah yes.... Memories of the Blackwater Moor crossing, in freezing rain or snowing, soaked to the undies. Fun times. You spend the first three days on the road sections carefully listening to the motor, finger on the clutch just in case, making sure you don't hole a piston. Then you spend the next three tucked behind the bars, hand on one fork leg, choke pulled out, screaming the living crap out of it, hoping it blows up so you don't have to slog across those damn moors anymore !!

Every trials rider owes it to themselves to try it once. I see fellow Canuck Stan Bakgaard made it to the finish again this year. Atta boy !

Tom

[brewtus]

Awesome, awesome stuff, especially to us dry hard-rock desert Trialers.

[mtber]

Gary has added a couple good long blog entries about the last day, the trip home and thoughts on what went right and wrong in his first attempt. Good reading. What a tough event!

http://www.skagitpowersports.com/default.asp?page=blog