Well here's a first, I'm writing this sitting on the Eurostar train to Paris, I'm off for business meeting so you could say I'm being paid to write this. Talking of Paris has anyone been there lately, until earlier this year I had never been but the bike scene is unbelievable, there are bikes everywhere and the whole city is bike friendly. Unlike London which has a lots of scooters and new bikes Paris has everything, there are new scooters but also lots of old style ones which have these great covers over the front to put your legs under to keep warm and dry in the winter. The cover also stretches across the seat when parking keeping it dry and protected. The motorbike scene is more commuter, some sports bikes but not as many as London, also a lot of old bikes and mopeds. I've seen models in Paris I've not seen for ages in the UK except at shows. They are also allowed to park on the pavement, you see rows and rows of them and when there's a traffic jam they ride slowly along the pavement weaving past pedestrians.
Another first was having a committee meeting at the Pub, when we agreed the date of the June meeting we didn't realize it was the same night as Club night until published in the NL. Rather than change we kept both dates and Pete and several others disappeared halfway through for a short ride out with those who turned up. The camping weekend was heavily discussed and we are planning a full calendar, hopefully with some fun and games on the Sunday afternoon, there should be more details else where in this NL. The last Star Group trial was also discussed at length, most of those who rode were not impressed with Windlesham, they used to be a top club with great trials but what a difference now. The whites were so ridiculous Pat and at least one other expert went home and the attitude of some of the observers was unbelievable. When Pat signed off to leave early and was asked why he said the sections were too tight and too hard, the answer he got was 'well you're an expert' which sums up their attitude. There was also one large lady observer who from what I gathered picked an argument with half the entry. I'm glad I was in Wales and unable to ride. The July trial is run by Horsham with the Budgens in charge should be a much better trial, see you all there.
The Sunday Club trial started very well but unfortunately a heavy down pour wrecked most of the sections and seven out of eight had to be changed. When we started riding most of the ground was rock hard and very dry so the rain was like pouring oil on the top, this happened while most riders where on their second lap. On section four I cleaned the hard bit in and out the deep ditch but when I tried to turn up the gentle slope to the end the rear wheel spun. I opened the throttle and to my horror the bike shot backwards, where reverse gear came from I don't know, Stuart was watching and saw me sliding back at great speed towards a six foot drop, fortunately I fell and managed to stop in time. Although we always state Club trials are 5 laps of eight with a break after two a lot of riders are now in the habit of not stopping. I would urge you all to stop please so that sections can be altered if necessary. This was a particular problem at this trial. Once it had rained many sections not only became impossible but dangerous so there was no option but to change them. The problem now is that those riders who did not stop after two have ridden different sections to those that did. As a result the trial may be declared null and void for championship points, which is a great shame for those who rode well. I arrived at the trial early so Stuart could lay out the whites, as it turned out he was the only white rider. It was good to see such a large team of layer outers, 6 in total so I wasn't needed, a bit different to my day as Comp sec when there was often only 2 of us laying out and sometimes a solo effort. Can I also remind every one that at the end of the Trial we need volunteers to take down the section markers. Those laying out get up early to do so, so it is only fair other help at the end.