2011 Land's End Trial

Somewhere in a car park near you, a motorsport happening could be starting. Unfortunately, that spectacular Wasp outfit isn't going to get very far. Shame.

So instead of actually competing in this event I had to settle for being a spectator. It wasn't quite the same but I still enjoyed myself. I went up to to Plusha Services to see the Cornish starters off. and it made a pleasant change to see the machinery without being lampered in mud.

Pete's looking quietly confident here. I see he's fitted a longer swing arm to the outfit he shares with Shani, the redoubtable Cox-Triumph

Among the bikes were Pete and Shani Adams who are campaigning the ex-Team Robert Triumph sidecar outfit (VT No.16 ) that Rob and I used to play with, the one which caused us to become airborne and morph into Ginger and Binky. Pete and Shani were hoping to get further than a mile down the road this year because last year they suddenly struck valve problems. They set off alright but I didn't spot them at Blue Hills so hope they were merely badly delayed and not a retirement

Another sidecar team with a Wasp had a similar problem, though, with their drive chain breaking literally within sight of the start. That was it for them - the chain was too badly mangled to re-use. Could've been worse I suppose, for there was plenty of help and light, which might not have been the case a few hours later. There was just the logistics of getting to the finish at Scorrier to pick up all their stuff to sort out.

I would say all the bikes required a severe looking at.

This 498cc AJS 18C doesn't have any jampots, the distinctive rear shock absorbers featured on most road bikes of this make. It's a highly evolved machine for trialling.

Among the classic British trials irons was this wonderful old Ajay. It looks a bit lumpy compared with the more sophisticated and manageable bikes in the background and that seat looks like the rider's going to be standing up all night regardless of whether he's in a section or not but what a fantastic machine. I have always admired the natural metal finish and black paint look for an off road bike an this one epitomises the sort of British mud plugger that I'd one day like

Too good to get dirty? Ken Brooks of Barnstaple says no. Very nice bike, good to see it doing what it was made for.

No heavier than this BMW R80GS. This was one clean machine and compared to my R100GS it looked small.

Get your step thru running and head out on the highway with a high rise exhaust, bar protectors and a seat that does NOT shout "Poseur!"

Despite all this classic machinery, the guys who seemed to be having the best fun were the step-thru riders. Nobody in their right mind would travel something 400 miles off road and in the dark on one of these things so - obviously - they are growing in popularity in MCC events as the differently sane realise their hidden sporting potential (Honda C90s and the like, not the differently sane - the differently sane's sporting potential was never hidden). Cheap, light and frugal on fuel, there's an element of an irreverent thumbing of the nose in competing on one of these.

Among the cars I spotted Tris White in his Troll (ex Ann Templeton) not campaigning his VW Imp for once (VT No. 49) Tris has done quite a bit of work on this car and I believe it's a very early one - I can remember it from my very first Land's End in 1987.

I was intrigued to see this Micra standing up for its trialling rights, entered by Darren Ruby and Andrew Waters from Launceston. It looks good raised up whereas I would be inclined to slam them (I have a bubble shaped K11). No issue about lights not working here.

As darkness fell, a few cars had last minute probs with lights but these were mostly of a minor electrical nature. We had exactly the same issues with the Cox Triumph.

Recent rule changes allow for external passengers to help with traction

And on the morrow, I moseyed on over to Blue Hills. There I met up with some friends, one of whom, Jeremy Cross, was marshalling on the Class O section at Blue Hills 2.

How had the C90s got on? Wheelie well - they may have dabbed here and there but were still in the hunt, among them Darren Brophy - Number 90 with 90cc of Honda Cub power

Blue Hills 2 proved surprisngly difficult - only a few hell for leather types with high spec machinery got up in one go.

Now that's what I call a carbon tyre print. This is the 1800 UVA Fugitive of Matthew and Barry Denny.

Jezzers had a fairly straightforward time of it on Class O, which has proved a huge success since its introduction, swelling the entry list and providing a less destructive route into the sport.

This gorgeous Wolseley Hornet of Robert Gibson and John Taylor ran in Class O.

Many felt confident enough to have a go at Blue Hills 2 having successfully got this far. I think the atmosphere in Trevellas Coombe gets to people with such echoes of engines revving and tyres spinning through the decades.

Finally, I got to meet Mike Warnes who so generously offered us the use of his spare trails car, the Husky. He cleaned Blue Hills 2 in his TR7 and I was able to thank him in person. He'd cleaned everything so far but Bishopwood.

This is Mike Warnes in his TR7, clearing Blue Hills 2 and on his way to a Silver award.

I was offered a TR7 last year and somehow managed to turn it down. This same car was subsequently bought by Adrian Booth and Ray Goodright got a Gold with on this very event. Did I make the right decision? I think so. Ray has been doing it for a while, too. There quite a few TRts competing so may be they are the car of the future.

Anyway, next year we should be in the Allard again.