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Sunday 4th December 2005
Over 100 trials riders on British bikes built before 1967 - Matchless, Ariel, Greeves, many more. Riders come from all over England to ride a classic trial named after a Bexleyheath Club rider who was a wizard at building and preparing 4-stroke trials bikes. Free admission and program.
Results
Resutls by Class (PDF)
Results breakdown (PDF)
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Photos
Martin Coulbert has photos on here website Coulbert.co.uk
Page 1 of Photos from John Edwards
Page 2 of Photos from John Edwards
Page 3 of Photos from John Edwards
Page 4 of Photos from John Edwards
Page 5 of Photos from John Edwards
Page 6 of Photos from John Edwards
Page 1 of Photos from Matt Grant-Browing
Page 2 of Photos from Matt Grant-Browing
Page 3 of Photos from Matt Grant-Browing
Page 1 of photos by Monty Bryant
Page 2 of photos by Monty Bryant
Page 3 of photos by Monty Bryant
Page 4 of photos by Monty Bryant
Page 5 of photos by Monty Bryant
Page 6 of photos by Monty Bryant
Page 7 of photos by Monty Bryant
Page 8 of photos by Monty Bryant
Page 9 of photos by Monty Bryant
Page 10 of photos by Monty Bryant
Page 1 of photos from Nicola Clarke and Alastair Brown
Page 2 of photos from Nicola Clarke and Alastair Brown
Page 3 of photos from Nicola Clarke and Alastair Brown
Page 1 of Photos by "Spud Plank" (from here on the Trials-Central Forums)
Page 2 of Photos by "Spud Plank" (from here on the Trials-Central Forums)
Reports
"Hutty does it agian" by Brian Edwards (here in 9/12/05's TMX)
THE Sidcup Club's regional restricted Jack Thompson British Bike Trial again attracted an entry of almost 110 riders, all of whom enjoyed two-laps of 18-sections laid out in the woodlands surrounding the Canada Heights international motocross track, near Swanley. It was wonderful to hear the bark of big classic British machines echoing through the trees, however as time passes these are gradually giving way to more and more lightweight bikes. Previous double-winner, Len Hutty, stormed to an amazing clean sheet over the 36-sections to secure his name on the prestigious trophy for the third time. His first lap was remarkable, without any loss of marks, but he repeated this in the afternoon to finish clean over the entire event. Runner-up Mark Baker started well and looked to challenge Hutty, but had a dab on the first lap and two on the second, so threw away his chance of matching Len.
Long-term South Eastern centre competitor, Richard Whitbread, rode well all day to take third spot. Despite being a very experienced rider he lost six on each lap over sections which some said were easier than in previous years. Many riders felt that the sections along the sandy banks would be more grippy and a bit easier than the muddy ones in the woodland, but this did not prove the case and took just as many marks from competitors. Mark Kemp had an outing on the ex-Jack Thompson unit BSA – recently restored by Malcolm Simmons – and took it to a very creditable runner-up spot in the Unit B (Red route) class and a first class award ahead of Richard Challis. Regular winner of the Rigid class, Stan Metcalf, swopped his big Ariel for a Cub, but did not have the same success on the lightweight and finished third.
The only category which appeared to have a fairly hard day was the big girder rigid machines, but one has to be a masochist to ride one of these anyway. However, there was more smiles than grimaces and John Excell took premier on 43 ahead of Vince Cottingham 71 and Mike Barton on 87. There were only five to begin with, but only three finished. However, both Bob Onley and Dave Blanchard's machines did look extremely original.
"Observing Tradition" by Matt Grant-Browning
Waking up on a bright crisp winter morning, a light frost about, I certainly had no regrets about agreeing to observe at the 2005 Jack Thompson British Bike Trial at Canada Heights on December 4 th.
Having just intervened in the early morning ‘Greco/Roman’ wrestling match that had been taking place over breakfast between my two children, ( and all for the sake of a Nintendo game!!), I gathered up Alasdair (my young protégé) and bundled him into the car. I was mindful of the fact that I should be at The Heights for 9am and I would be pushing it ( legally speaking) to make it on time. We were able to get there before the start and collect the necessary bits and bobs before making our way to section 18.
We keenly walked the section back and forth so that we knew what was supposed to be going on when the riders arrived ( which would be some time as it turned out).
Before I knew it a trickle of classic British machinery began to appear. I have to say that I never fail to be impressed at how agile these old bikes can be even the rigid framed and girder forked. Before too long my 1 st lap card had been taken for Peter Burrell to begin his supersonic results processing. It was clear that the 1 st section had sorted the men from the boys ( with apologies to the two ladies in the trial) a good proportion of riders seemed to either clean the section or drop few points. The steady procession of riders dwindled into the early afternoon and Alasdair was becoming a bit fed up ( until he found that he could ride the section on his imaginary bike !!!) Finally the last two came through and we pulled out stakes and gathered our markers to make our way back.
One of the lovely things about a British Bike trial is the gentlemanly ( sorry ladies) way that the riders conduct themselves, and as is the tradition, many expressed their appreciation for the observer – I would like to thank you gentlemen and ladies.
What a nice way to spend a Sunday, I would certainly urge members to do this as not only are your efforts appreciated it is a very good way to get to know the membership.
Sunday December the 4th saw the sixteenth running of this very popular event at the first class venue of Canada Heights. Damp and sticky going was the order of the day with just enough 'chill' in the air to keep riders cool.
Report 3 - By Dave Blanchard - Originally from the Eastern Thumpers Magazine (Jan 2006)
There were two laps of 18 sections to negotiate of varied going. Clearly the COCs had done a great job in taking advantage of every twist, turn, camber and climb that was possible to extract between the begins and ends cards for each section. They had carefully studied form throughout the whole course to obtain a challenging day. Their efforts really showed.
Class A pre-unit and 'The Jack Thompson Trophy' went to Len Hutty (Matchless) riding the white route. This is the 'hard route' but this is not so obvious, as super trials rider Len, went clean! Takes some believing doesn't it! Young Mark Baker was 2nd with just 3 lost and the 'North Kent Trials Combine Award' for good measure. That always popular rider and gentleman Richard Whitebread, (AJS) was 3rd with 12 marks lost.
Considering young Mark Baker only has the odd ride on Mick Bridgers Ariel, his performance is very special indeed. It would be great to see Mark on a pre-unit springer more often, because I am convinced he has the making of atop 'centre rider' in this class! How about a whip round to buy him a bike of his own?
In the class A pre-unit 'Red Route' it was a premier for M.Baldock on hisAriel, unusually only 350cc and quite rare in that capacity. He had lost 17 marks, exactly the same as first class award winner Robin Hodges who did not have quite as many cleans. Robin’s Triumph twin is still as 'shiny' as it was 10 or more years ago. Now is that good caring maintenance by Robin, or is his wife addicted to cleaning Triumphs? Anyone brave enough to ask his missus? A second class award went to Geoff Challis on a 500 single entered in theprogramme as 'Ariel Scraps'. Those 'thrifty' EFA boys certainly know how to build em'!
In the sidecar class it was a win for Paul Fishlock and attractive Debbie Merrell on their BSA 350 with 18 marks lost.
A first class award went to Dave Larkin and Bob Chapman on a big lung Ariel single with one more mark lost than the winners.
Pete Pesterfield and Keith Laker bossed their 500 Ajay around the heights for a second class award and 22 marks used up.
All sidecar competitors deserve an award in my opinion because they are all heroes! Well done Ladies and Gentlemen.
In the class B- 4 stroke unit sprung, white route, Chris Dark stepped out ofthe shadows for a fine premier win and the NKTC Award. Chris was on his'ever faithful', Triumph Tiger Cub, he lost 11 marks.
Ken Ward always impresses with the way he handles his 250 BSA. His first class award is well deserved for a loss of 15 marks.
Yet another Tiger Cub was in the awards and piloted by Graham Barton with just 21 marks frittered away. Well done Graham on your second class award.
Plenty of awards were up for grabs in the Class B-4 stroke unit sprung, Red Route. Richard Challis on his 250 Beezer was the man to beat on the day! But, nobody did! So he wins the class premier with a nonchalant 10 marks given away. First class awards went to Mark Kemp on another BSA 250 with 14 marks chucked by the wayside. The other first class award went to that old master Stan Metcalf. They tell me he was on a Triumph 250 (Big Cub?) I didn't see him but that's what it says in the programme. Stan had a great ride on 15 lost. By way of most cleans and one's, he pushed Eddie Herd down into a second class award spot. Eddie was on his 350 BSA.
Another second class award went to Graham Knowler on a Triumph 199cc, (definitely a Cub). Graham totted up 18 lost. Few! There were enough awards in that class to keep the trophy engravers in business for almost a decade!
Backfire into the past for the next results please. Yes! It's the dinosaur girder fork bikes. Ridden by those who want to keep tradition alive and their bodies in tatters. I cannot deny I retired, due to the many log jumps. You see, I have recently acquired a very nice (modern) hernia, this was included (free of charge) in a big box of (old) engine bits bought at Kempton jumble! So the sensible thing was not to 'Hokey Cokey' too much in case parts fell off either me, or the bike! That’s my sole excuse for retiring. But masochist and superbrider (never give in) John Excell, stole the Girder fork 'Saga' by a mile. John lost 43 marks on the beautiful green and chromed tank, 'Empire Star' BSA350. A really determined ride by a senior gentleman. Well done old flower! This was the only award given in this class, which takes the pressure off the trophy engravers a tad.
Sam Appleton was once again the only rider on a telescopic rigid to tacklethe white route. Sam's highly developed BSA C10 270cc (but it’s only an old sidevalve isn't it??!!) was coaxed around the dips and hollows for a loss of 25 marks. Sam gets 'The Vinall Trophy' once more for his outstanding efforts.
Amongst the more traditional Tele Rigids (class D), the 350 AJS of Ian Watkins came out tops on the red route. Ian of LDT fame lost a measly 8 points to take the premier. One of his LDT riding companions 'Mark Worsfold' chased him hard all the way on a Triumph 500 twin, with just 10 marks lost for a first class award. Second class award went to Mike Barton (AJS 410) who was having quite a good day with 17 marks scattered to the four winds.
Class E- 2stroke, white route winner was that acrobat of a rider, Dave Shave. Now riding a two stroke James in the same unbelievable style as everything else he rides, he lost 7 marks. Geoff Brooker had a really brilliant day chasing him hard on an ageing Bantam with just 12 lost. Geoff gets a first class award for his efforts. The second class award went to Kev Hood on yet another Bantam with 15 marks squandered during a 'sticky going' type of day.
The other 2-stroke class ride the red route. Another famous old motorcycle by the name of Francis Barnet, ridden by Tim Streatfield, was bullied around the course for a lowly loss of just 5. This is a great showing by the rider and his 197cc Fanny B. Two first class awards were on offer and these went to Roger Wait and Terry Sewell, both on 'Thundersley' Greeves trials bikes.Roger on 11 and Terry on 14. Second class awards were also up for grabs and Doug Johnson got his for losing just 17 marks, whilst John Dudley took thevery last award for 19 lost. Doug rode his DOT and John was on another of them 'Essex' Greeves bikes.Good planning, good plotting, great organisation as always, brilliant results sheet. I hope I interpreted it correctly? Well done Sidcup, for running the very popular, 'Jack Thompson British Bikes Trial'.
Preview
With the picturesque woodland surrounding the "Canada Heights" International Motocross course bathed in a profusion of winter colour and smelling of leaf mould, its that time of the year once again to enjoy the smell of Castrol "R" and the bark of Big British fourstroke trials irons on full song.
Time again to re-wax the "Barbour Suit" and clean the "Dunlop Wellies" for the Sidcup Clubs popular "Jack Thompson" British Bike trial on Sunday the 5th of December.
Now in its sixteenth year, the event continues to be very popular, with riders coming from far and wide to compete on their cherished classic machines. The trial is open to anyone riding a pre-67 British machine and affiliated to the ACU, however this can be arranged on the day.
If you are traveling a distance and hardy enough, you can stay overnight at the venue. There is electricity on site, plenty of flat parking space, catering and toilets.
Due to the dark evenings the kick off will be 9.30am with machine examination starting at 8.45.
To make the trial more interesting for everyone the club would like to run at least twelve to fifteen sections which will need observers, so we would like to hear from not only our usual loyal band of enthusiasts, but also from anyone else prepared to help.
A light lunch will be provided for observers and hopefully some mulled wine, so if you are at a loose end on Sunday the 4th of December come along for a pleasant day in the chestnut woods and watch, or better still observe (see Peter Burton under Who to Contact).
Directions to Canada Heights can be found here.