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Tonfanau Road Racing - 26th May

If the weather is as good as the few days of sun we've had recently then here is an excuse for planning a great ride through some fabulous countryside to just past Machynlleth, to watch Welsh Road Racing at a coastal circuit not many of us have ever heard of. Here is the Tonfanau Road Racing website.
[On: 6May2013]

Len Ore

Len Ore died on 8th December, just short of his 80th birthday. Len was an amazing man who lived life to the full. His list of achievements is lengthy and varied. He has been past President of the Vintage club, founder member of the TRF, organiser of many Ariel and VMCC rallies, trials, grasstrack and road race competitor and model aircraft enthusiast.
Of significance to the West Glos, he and I organised the Border 100. This event for pre65 bikes trying to recreate a day of the ISDT of the 50's. Colin and Jackie say it was the inspiration for the Wyegate.
He would set off for rallies all over the Continent on his beloved pre war Ariels - bikes most of us wouldn't ride to the docks! He has ridden over the highest pass at 18500 ft in the Himalayas, enduring altitude sickness and camping. As I said, an amazing man but most importantly a valued friend. I will miss him. Julian Bishop.

Also reported in our local papers - Cavalcade by Ben Falconer.
ALL roads led to the Forest of Dean for motorcyclists who paid their respects to a leading figure in vintage bikes.
Len Ore’s coffin, with his helmet and one of his many rubber-band powered model aircraft adorning it, arrived at Yew Tree Brake cemetery yesterday ahead of a cavalcade of historic machines.
Many models of his favourite Ariel marque were ridden from all over the county and beyond to the service near Cinderford. Riders togged up in wet weather gear stood outside the packed chapel to hear his friend Dennis Beale tell just a few of the amusing events in Len’s life, including the unintentional detachment of a sidecar from the chassis, complete with passenger, while on the move.
“The esteem he is held in, in the Ariel Owners Motorcycle Club and the Vintage Motorcycle Club is demonstrated here today, by the number of people who have attended to say goodbye,” said Dennis, who with Len and David Fox rode the highest road in the world, in the Himalayas. “While reflecting on his achievements in life, we should be motivated by him too. He lived respected, and died regretted.”
A former president of the 13,000-strong VMCC, he died aged 79 earlier this month.
He was instrumental in the formation of the Trail Riders Fellowship, and the Border 100 trial, a precursor to West Glos and Dean Forest Motorcycle Club’s Wyegate long distance trial.
He chaired the AOMC and the Cotswold section of the VMCC, and was a member of the Association of Pioneer Motorcyclists.
Dennis told the congregation that Len started his career as an apprentice at Trojan Motor Works in Surrey, and moved with his wife Elvira and sons Michael and Leslie to the Forest of Dean in 1971. He threw himself in to the motorcycling scene.
“With Dick Sutton, Ray Everall and Ralph Venables, he set up the Trail Riders Fellowship which grew in to a large and influential organisation - some achievement from those early days.
“He threw himself in to motorcycle sport in this area. With Julian Bishop, and Frank and Kay Williams, using old rights of way, he organised the Border 100 which in turn inspired Colin and Jackie Jones to create the Wyegate Trial, one of the longest and best long distance events.”
[On: 29Dec2012]

No-Stop Championships

Update: Western Centre Championship rounds will now be non-stop too. More on the Centre site...

The ACU Trials & Enduro Committee have re examined the options and confirm the following for 2013:  All ACU  British Trials Championships will now use the TSR 22B Method of Marking (No-Stop).  This will include Youth and Women’s Championships.  TSR 22A (Stop Allowed)  will remain an option within the Standing Regulations so that Clubs and Centres can decide on what method suits them best for their own events. 
[On: 30Nov2012 22:46]

Championships End

Most of the year long National championships have ended now so let's have a look at the top end of our contenders.
A VMCC British Historic Racing Championship Win for Julian Bishop on the Vincent Rapide Sidecar.
Jake Hoare racks up his third Centre Championship title with the Youth A Win.
Goff Hannam 2nd and Ian Wixon 5th in the Sammy Miller Products Trials Championship Class 2 (Pre 70 twinshocks). Update: As the Unit/pre-Unit/2Strokes were amalgamated to make class 2, there are now separate class awards and therefore Goff has won the Pre-Unit award (He was only beaten by Jon Bliss on the 250 BSA who won the more general Pre-70 title.) Jeez, talk about confusing!
Henry 3rd overall in ACU Trailbike Championship
Mike Wells 2nd in 2012 Big Bike Rally Championship
And in Non ACU Hare & Hounds , Steve Biddle comes in 2nd in Experts and Martin George Wins the Clubman2 class in local MDR championship.

OK, who have I missed out? Let me know.

And here is a clip of Jules in April at Mallory. Thanks to AAndy4785.

[On: Updated 15Dec2012]

Gordon Lucas

Sad news that Gordon Lucas passed away on Saturday 10thNov. Everyone involved with motorcycles in our area will have known Gordon and his family, if not from Lucas Motorcycles of Ross shop then from their involvement in Motorcycle sport at every conceivable level.
[On: 21Nov2012]

New rules for Bike Licences in January

Age limits are changing next year. This mostly affects those who haven't already passed their tests. More info on the Government website.
[On: 03Nov2012]

Update - Marathon Effort

Latest - Pete has done it - 04:12:14.

Peter Neale is a name you will see throughout this website both in a riding and organising capacity. We struggle running the Wyegate without him. Indeed, this year Huw Watkins took Pete's usual task. However, Pete wasn't sat on his backside on that Sunday. He was training for the London Marathon by running the Forest Half-Marathon (1hr 44mins since you ask.)

We nearly lost Pete in 2006 as he was on his way to checkout the iron work on the pearly gates, thanks to a heart attack. Now he is putting his mended ticker to the test and doing the London Marathon on 22nd April 2012 in support of the British Heart Foundation. Our editor and a number of other members are already in debt to this excellent organisation. So, why not invest in someone's future and look after your own, there is tons of useful information on the BHF website on how to avoid joining us!

Please would you help him help them? You can sponsor Pete online using www.justgiving.com/Peter-Neale or contact him direct info@peterneale.co.uk or see his poster for more info.
[On: 10Apr2012]

Watch out for scammers too

Having your bike stolen is of course a bike owner's worst nightmare but Duncan Shaw says watch out for scammer's when trying to buy one too. He is after an AJS and was just contacted by a person purporting to be from America, but a good old search on the web found the guys name cropped up with other cases of being ripped off!
(If it was you that contacted Duncan about the Matchless then please call back as you may have a buyer.)
[On: 27Jan2012]

Stolen From Our Doorstep!

I have had 2 bikes stolen overnight on Sunday night/Monday morning 23 Jan 2012, from Berry Hill, Coleford, Glos.
My car window was smashed then the car moved to allow access to a garage door, then the garage door was forced. The bikes stolen were a KTM 250 EXC 2009, the other a KTM 620 LC4 2000 model fitted with orange plastics.
Both bikes are easily identifiable by myself, so any information gratefully received. Rewards for safe returns.
Gloucestershire Police are keen to hear from anyone who has heard of this type of garage door entry. i.e. a 5" round hole cut open with tin snips, allowing a hand to reach the lock on the inside.
Thanks, Mike Wells.
[On: 24jan2012]

More bikes stolen

Watch out if you are offered a bike nice and cheap.
STOLEN - Gas Gas 2007 300 Pro
In the middle of the night on Sunday 1st January from the Market Drayton area. Please if anyone is offered anything please consider it may be mine! THERE WILL BE A REWARD
If anyone has any information please contact (We have his number) or your local police tel: 101, or crime stoppers Distinguising features,
Engine number GG302507063303
Chassis number VTRGG3002H0760007
Shirty 2 Written on rear wheel with marker, ive owned it for 3 years an i cant remove it ! Black frame, carbon fibre exhaust heat protector, front mudguard is an old orange one sprayed black with lots of black scratching away outline silver GG sticker, the rear silencer has a carbon effect sticker on it with the remains of a red GG sticker on it, fitted with head spacer, fly wheel weight (wider gasket) irc rear tyre, front tyre michelin, marchocchi front forks with stickers missing, trick bits carbon effect frame guards, renthall bars no GG, bar clamps aluminium enduro type not GG, renthal grips worn out, throttle cable has red dab counter on it, swinging arm has bolt head not fixed pin to hold rear brake caliper, red in line fuel filter, goldish colour scuff on R/H fork stanchion, red renthall number board,Side stand is tubular steel with carbon wrap not triangular alloy, in the airbox beneath the filter is a piece of egg box foam

And More------
My name is Alan Aslett and I am the Vice Chairman of Worthing Trials Club.
On the 15/16th December my out building was broken into and mine and my sons competition trials bikes were taken. I am passing these details to you and would very much appreciate if you would kindly alert your members or anyone you feel may be able to help or at risk of being offered these bikes. My number is (We have his number). These bikes were stolen from Dormansland, Surrey.
My sons bike was 1 of only 2 in the country - Gas Gas 125 Pro racing (photo available ) Chassie No - T1203/M031/6181
Mine was a Montesa Repsol 4RT 2006 Limited edition. Chassie No - VTDMOT4A05E001849
I fear that we may never see these bikes again but am sending this out just in case. Thank you for your support in this matter. Alan and Alex Aslett
[On: 06jan2012]

No-Stop Rule

We assume you don't have your head in the sand and know a bit about this. (Hang on while I shake this sand out of my ear.) Our Centre Chairman, Tony Noel, has just been chatting to John Collins, who Chairs the Trials and Enduro committee, about the new rules and John confirmed the following:

The No Stop marking will only be used for the British Solo Championship There will be no changes to Youth or other championships.

He suggests that Sections should be set out for No Stop riding even if the marking is for allowing Stop riding. He accepts that the No Stop rules may cause problems for Observers and some younger riders will not like it.

His own Centre will not be using the Stop rules in 2012 to see how the new system works in practice.

If you want your opinions heard then our club delegate can feedback to our Centre meetings, so speak up. Come to a club meeting or contact our club secretary.
[On: 15Dec2011]

New Trail Bikes

We could see a change of colour in the Wyegate car park for 2012! Martin Worgan just spotted these potential Pamp beaters: New Ossa Explorer or the very interesting Sherco X Ride (at least we won't have to consider banning this one as a cheat bike, it even has passenger pegs.)
[On: 14Nov2011]

Dunking

Vess is brave. Very brave. Who else would go swimming out doors at this time of the year. And even braver, who else would film the slight hiccup and admit to it and record it for posterity. What a hero.

[On: 18Oct2011 22:15]

How Many Left?

Have you got the last remaining bike in the uk? Martin Worgan, being a Pamp fan, knows that there are '150 Pamps in the UK, of which 50 SORN’d'. How did he find that out you say? easy he went to www.howmanyleft.co.uk Go on, check your favourite bike out, you know you want to. (All the data is {'are' if you are that fussy!} derived from government figures.)

Hang on a minute - that means if the Wyegate entry completely fills up with Pamps then that is all of them! And yes, I have checked, there are 20 XT500s currently on the road, but not mine!
[On: 20Jun2011]

MDR's Brookthorpe HH

Couldn't resist linking to this Vid as there are loads of our members in it . Including our Press Officer on his Bultaco.
[On: 11May2011]

Rosie's Boost for Becky

One of our site's contributors, Rosie Hunter, has been proving her considerable talents with a great video of our World trials contender Becky Cook. Worth a view right through, especially if you were at G&C's recent centre Trial and wonder how come she dropped less than you!
[On: 04Feb2011]

It's Twins!

There has been a long history of twins in the Bishop dynasty, what with Vincents and Enfields, so congratulations to Joe and Leona on expanded the club membership by 2 and welcome to Henry and George, the new twins.
[On: 07Dec2010 20:30]

John Cadogan

East South Wales' powerhouse John Cadogan died last week. He leaves an amazing history of involvement in our sport and was extremely helpful with West Glos as we have frequently run events that cross the borders and serve both Western Centre and East South Wales. More details on his funeral on EnduroNews.com
[On: 05Jul2010]

Thanks to our Riders

If you've been to one of our events lately and partaken of the nosh facilities then big thanks as Teresa (Vess's better half) was able to hand over £150 to her chosen charity: www.maggiescentres.org for the benefit of the Cotswold centre

Not bad for just doing a bit of grub!

[On: 3Jun2010]

3 Wheels Down

Very sad news that Brian Lethbridge sadly passed away last week. Brian was a well loved character in the Pre65 Sidecar Trials and Long Distance Trials world for many years with many inspiring performances on his beloved Triumphs. "Lefty" or "Fag Ash" was an early supporter of our Wyegate and helped promote the event to ensure a healthy sidecar entry for ages.
[On: 16Jun09]

Another Rider Down

James French tells us sad news - Ray Gerring died of a heart attack on Tuesday. Ray was a great supporter of LDTs, including the Wyegate, on a KMX 200 and latterly a sorted Mk3 Pampera, which he used to great effect. He finished 10th in the Wyegate last year and scored championship points in all but one of the ACU Trailbike series rounds too. From Oxford, Ray will missed by his many friends in the Western Centre. More details and funeral arrangements on Western centre site.
[Updated: 16Mar09]