Comment: The magical world of the Scott Trial
By Team TMX on 10th Oct 19
When the clock strikes nine on Saturday morning, overseas entrant Mark Coombes (the Isle of Wight counts as overseas, doesnt it?) will get the Scott Trial underway as he leaves the starting ramp with hours and hours of misery, erm, I mean fun, ahead of him.
Over the next 60 minutes, almost 180 riders will follow him at 20-second intervals as they take on one of the absolute classics of the off-road sporting year.
There are a few things about the Scott that are magical to me and its partially its history and the fact that most of the course is a mystery but its mostly down to the fact that its mainly about my favourite bit of riding trials (splashing about in streams on a motorbike) with my least favourite bit (queuing for sections) removed.
Every single year I think I wish I was doing it while telling everyone I wish Id done it because as each edition passes it becomes more and more unlikely that Ill ever sack up, learn to be a better trials rider or even be a regular trials rider for that matter and get myself an entry.
But at some point, Ill be old(er) and grey(er) and Ill be able to convince people that I nearly did the Scott this one time but *cough*, *mumble*, *snore* and no-one will give a toss how the story ends, but Ill be considered cooler than the cardigan-wearing fool next to me in Bay View care home who doesnt even know what the Scott Trial is or can remember, anyway.
And thats whats called playing the long game...
As I get older (I turned 44 last week thanks for all the birthday messages by the way) I keep on getting faster and faster, to the point where I sometimes have to stop myself before I need to hastily rewrite the history books.
Funnily enough, I came across a Wikipedia page the other week that was a list of motocross champions of some distinction or other.
Anyway, some US-based whipper-snapper had added his name into the list and then set-up another Wikipedia page that explained how this random YouTuber/gamer had been the youngest ever factory KTM rider and won a bunch of world championships as a 13-year-old before a knee injury had sidelined him and forced him to get a job delivering pizza or something.
I wish I could share the link to the page as it was hilarious but unfortunately, I cant find it now and had to delete my browsing history because Id been doing some online shopping for the wifes birthday and I didnt want to ruin the surprise. Thats a legit enough reason, right?
Actually, thats a total lie because midlife crisis me has been looking at things that I really shouldnt have and could potentially lead to divorce. What kind of depravity could I be on about?
Well, it started with Evo-class two-strokes, meandered around Montesa 315Rs, skirted into twinshock territory before ending at used sidecarcross machines for sale.
Is a splashing of cash imminent? I very much doubt it but a man can dream, cant he?
So while my dreams of returning to the track, or taking part in the Scott, will most likely remain just that, there are 180 guys who are living my dream this Saturday so if you wanna see what kind of depravity Im into, head on over to the Arkengarthdale/Reeth/Marske area of North Yorkshire and enjoy a great day of sporting action for absolutely zero cost (except a donation to the Scott Charities of course)...
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