Tony Harrison

Fruit of the loom. Classic.

This is an interesting topic for discussion. When I first got into trials (1999) my parents offered to take me to some competitions, but there weren't many near me. Combined with that, I didn't really know much about competition trials. It's not like tennis or football where the game is more or less the same. My only exposure to bike trials was MBUK and meeting other riders in the towns. Initially I did want to ride some competitions, but then it just didn't matter as much. Later I spectated at a few BIU national rounds and was pretty shocked by the attitudes of some of the riders and parents. I have to say though that I got fed-up with more than a few people at the last motorbike trial I went to, which was a classic/twinshock one. Blatant queue jumping, tricked-up bikes that are basically modern ones in disguise... for some people winning is the main objective, and then it just sours the fun atmosphere. Most of us ride bikes for fun.

I sympathise, but then some people are blind aswell as deaf. Others have different problems. Ultimately we have to work with what we've got. I think Martyn Ashton is a good role model in that sense - look at how positive he's being about his change in circumstances. I know this isn't really good advice, but personally I try not to dwell on things that I can't change, and instead focus on useful attributes I have. The other way to look at it is, deaf or not, opportunity-wise you're probably in the top 5% of the world's population.

£4.5k! Now see that's the kind of payrise worth getting!

Clearly the universe wants you to take more college girls into carparks and paste your dick all over them. For what it's worth I think the best break-ups are the ones that are amicable. I've only ever had two that were strenuous (in both cases she got too emotional and angry at the thought of us being apart) and the rest have just been us going in different directions, living too far apart or starting different chapters in our lives. And when that happens you just have to be happy for the good times you had and see it as making way for new opportunities. (Like college girls and carparks, dick-pasting and poo dildos.)

Ok cliche is the wrong word. Overly-dramatic, I might say. Let the riding do the talking.

I thought it was cliche as f'ck, all that stuff dubbed over the top, but there's no denying that was a masterful bit of riding.

That's the only reason I'll ever buy a car (or van!) again!

And then tell everyone that's what you want, even though it isn't really. Any girl who says she's up for being a f'ck buddy has issues, and it's inevitable that they'll soon come out in the wash. Still, there's a lot to be said for the benefits of coming out of a relationship...

I can see why she wears hats.

Wow, it actually looked like that!!

Epic!!

In view of Mike's comment I'd say that even a good secondhand Canon is going to be better than a Sigma. Anyone got experience of the Nikon D750? I'm looking for a second body that's lighter and more advanced than my D3. Options really are that or a (probably secondhand) D800. The D810 is too much of a stretch right now - I don't use any of my kit anywhere as near as I should do given how much money I've spent on it. However I have one trip in mind later this year for which I really want a second body. Pros of D750: newer design, lighter and more compact, better for video(?) Pros of D800: similar layout to D3, more solid construction I think really I need to go to a shop and try out a D750. I know that compared to the D200, D300, F100, etc, the D7000 (which the D750 appears to be similar to in terms of construction and size) felt like a plastic toy. However I do remember Joe Maher saying how the D600 (which is also based on this kind of chassis) was a great camera.

For me it was brand new f/4 or secondhand f/2.8, not sure how it is with Canon. With the Nikons it was about £1k in either case I think.

I've not handled the Sigma but I'm guessing it's in the EX range? Even so I never really liked the quality/finish on Sigma lenses, so now I only buy Nikon (obviously if I had Canon equipment, I would buy Canon lenses instead). Personally in your situation I would buy the Canon for that reason, or buy a good secondhand 2.8, which is what I did. Mine was under £1000 (Nikon equivalent) and absolutely mint, had been owned by a trainspotter I think. No issues with it.

The Vario Tibo was actually a very good bike for its time. One issue that did seem common though was chainstays cracking from fatigue near the bottom bracket. The Saracen X-tort was not a trials bike/frame - I recall it being marketed as a jump bike.

They're not random at all though are they... so it would actually be interesting for people to post and explain where the inspiration for theirs came from.

You could by the cheaper 70-200 f/4 (no IS), or find an old manual equivalent. I'd say take the 17-55 f/2.8 because it's a good 'do anything' lens.

And Christmas cards for pets... the list goes on and on and on. It's amazing what people can be duped into wasting money on. It's like this subliminal message that's sent out: "On this day of the year you will spend money on one or a selection of these things...". In other (old, but I only just saw it) girl related news, this is f'cking pathetic: http://www.irishcentral.com/news/canadian-dentist-travels-8000-km-to-track-down-his-irish-love-he-met-for-two-minutes-170395256-237753371.html Why would someone do that? Spoiler: he didn't find her.

I always refuse to acknowledge it in any way. Valentines is one of the worst actually because it relies on emotional blackmail. If a girl is going to get upset because she didn't received some pre-empted gesture on 14th Feb (be it a text message, card or anything whatsoever) then she's probably not the girl for me. Can't be dealing with that childlike, needy bullsh't. Last weekend me and the girl went to a motorbike event and then climbed about in derelict aircraft (more fun that it sounds ; ), so next weekend I'm taking her jungle trekking. Every weekend we have a good time, and I'd hate to feel like my plans for any weekend were governed by some kind of consumer scam perpetuated largely by marketeers and women who need to 'feel special'. EDIT: Looks like my stance hasn't changed much in 5 years... http://www.trials-forum.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=147229&p=2070051

Some lovely machines there. I think the TZs are awesome-looking bikes. I'm spending this summer in Europe and I'm thinking I should set myself the objective of trying one on a track, or at least doing a parade lap at a CRMC meeting... As for my bike, I got it back from the mechanic on Saturday after the first lot of work was completed. A few little issues to fix, but liking it so far. The riding position with the clip-ons is obviously much different to how it used to be, but it's tons of fun. Today I went to check up on progress on my new wheels... Only laced so far, yet to be finished-off. The guy at the shop is going to source some Bridgestone BT45s, then when everything is ready I can take the bike in and get them changed over. Meanwhile the other shop has polished up my alloy tank, so I think I might just have this thing finished in a couple of weeks.

Looks like a really good event, sounds fun too. I think there's a lot of room to develop the traditional observed trial concept...

Thanks for the advice. I got him to arrange it in the end.

Long story short, bought a bike off eBay, seller is a good guy but he'd got mixed up about the size and listed it wrong. Also there were some nasty scratches on it - turns out he'd given the bike to the local bike shop to send, and some clown there had damaged it. He's agreed to take it back and full refund, as you'd expect, although he's taking ages to sort himself out and get me the details I need, so I have opened an eBay case. Can anyone recommend a good courier to send from mainland UK to Dublin? It's a standard mtb box, weighs about 13-14kg. I want something reliable but not too expensive (ha ha, don't we all!). I'm trying to insist he sends a courier to me, because I'm getting tired of this now.