It's SSDT time - final info!
By John Dickinson on 3rd May 18
Scottish Pre-65 Two-Day Trial Friday-Saturday, May 4-5. By the time you read this the Hope sponsored 2018 Scottish Pre-65 Two Day will be about to start.
But as it takes place over two days theres still chance for a quick dash north if you want to see the most iconic Classic Trial in the world.
Kinlochleven is the venue, the village nestling at the head of picturesque Loch Leven. Each day sees two different courses but all on hillsides and moors close to the village and theres plenty of sections 30 each day for spectators, while contestants get a fantastic ride out to more distant groups both on the Mamore road and out towards Blackwater.
Kinlochleven is steeped in Scottish Six Days history with sections like Cnoc a Linnhe, Caolasnacoan, Mamore, Callart and, of course, Pipeline and if you have never spectated at Pipeline you really ought to at least once.
Every year the entries are massively oversubscribed and theres always a bunch of disappointed would-be riders following the inevitable ballot.
However, this year the organisers have permission to take an extra 20 entries bringing the number of starters to 200.
Included this year are former winners like Dan Clarke, James Noble, Tony Calvert, Rob Bowyer, James Harland, the evergreen Dave Thorpe and of course last years winner, Kinlochlevens own Gary Macdonald, the first Scot to be victorious in the event.
The eclectic gathering of riders is one reason to spectate, the equally interesting collection of machines is just as enticing.
Think two-stroke and four-stroke, singles and twins, ring-ding strokers, thumping singles and rasping twins youll see them all in Scotland.
And the best bit is that any one of them can win. Some sections favour the little strokers and some the bigger bangers, the latter especially favoured for the long, climbing, loose gullies.
Return of the Mac...
GARY Macdonald was the winner of the 2017 Scottish Pre-65 Two Day Trial. It was the 34-year-old Kinlochleven residents first attempt at the trial and, mounted on a 185cc Bantam loaned by local enthusiast Martin Murphy, it was obviously a higly popular one.
The victory wasnt just a local success, it was the first win in the event by a Scottish rider. In fact, it was the first Scottish success at The Scottish since Bob MacGregor won the Six Days back in 1935.
Gary has of course finished runner-up in the Six Days and been on the podium three times and will be making his annual attack on his favourite event next week. Gmac is no one-trick pony either, he has finished as high as sixth in the gruelling Ben Nevis running race (600 starters) in an incredible one hour 39 minutes. And he is currently a leading Scottish exponent of cyclo-cross, another physically punishing event.
Having won the Pre-65, Gary is having a change and tackling the trial on a Drayton Triumph twin. Said a smiling Gary: Im only a wee man and the Triumph is a lot of bike. I wont win the trial this year but watch out for the grin when I wind it on going up Pipeline!
SCOTTISH SIX DAYS TRIAL - Monday-Saturday, May 7-12
We ran with our 2018 SSDT Preview last week but maybe some of you just might make a last minute snap decision (go-on, do it) to sneak a couple of days and belt up to Fort William to share the experience.
If you have never done it, its a great journey in itself (once you get off the motorway) whichever way you go. The choice is straight across Glasgow (M8 Erskine Bridge across the Clyde) and then alongside Loch Lomond or head for Stirling and drive via Lochearnhead. Either way you end up at Crianlarich and the excitement mounts as you head for historic Glencoe to Ballachulish and on alongside Loch Linnhe until distant Fort William hoves into view.
In a nutshell the Scottish takes in six different circular routes from the Fort William parc ferme varying from around 60 to 130 miles, taking in forest tracks, open moorland and sometimes long stretches of roadwork.
Each day takes in 30 separate sections set in various groups, sometimes close to the road, sometimes way out on the moor.
We did the No.1-to-282 rider rundown last week but as the start order evolves each day, so all riders get to ride a day at the back which they love - and also one at the front - which they dont!
Scot Stuart Mack is No.1 and gets the field underway at 7.30am on Monday morning while top runners on their early day include Chris Pearson, Guy Kendrew, Dan Thorpe and Richard Sadler.
Tuesday sees Joe Baker, Dan Peace and last years runner-up Jack Price setting their alarms early while Wednesday sees top Scot Gary Macdonald and Tom Minta pioneering.
Thursday sees Cumbrian brothers Sam and David Myers flagged away first but right behind them is one of the favourites, Beta factory rider James Dabill, and the long day over Rannoch moor will be The Dibstas big test.
Then on Friday comes a shock as eleven-times winner and victor for the last six years Dougie Lampkin is first man away and Doug is known to be far from happy at being at the front on the road-based day round the Moidart peninsula. Following closely will be Amos Bilbao, Ben Hemingway and Jack Sheppard.
The final day sees Lancashire bike dealer Martin Sandiford first down the starting ramp with Sherco duo James Fry and Emma Bristow.
You can check out the rider numbers and daily routes online at ssdt.org or if you are planning on being there get a programme and follow the guide.
Can Dougie do it again?
THE big question is of course, can Dougie Lampkin nail an incredible 12 wins in the greatest trial in the world? Having won his first back in 1994 and bagging a hat-trick through to 1996, Doug has won the last six consecutive events, in the process giving Vertigo a hat-trick of wins over the last three years surely more than Vertigo owner Manel Jane ever dared hope for.
At 42 years old, Dougs desire to win burns as strong as ever and his iron will, determination and concentration remain in a class of their own.
On paper, Dougs biggest threat ought to be James Dabill who, back on a Beta, is riding with a new confidence.
Early
Dibsta certainly has the skill to win, he has done it twice before, but can he keep that all important concentration that makes The Scottish such a special event?
Both riders have very early start days to overcome, Dibs on Thursday and Doug on Friday. Mechanical or other problems excepted, this will surely be the key to who stands on the top step on Saturday.
And if it isnt Doug or Dibs can reigning British Champ Jack Price step-up and convert last years runner-up placing to a first-ever win?
Others who can nail a coveted Best on Day include Dan Thorpe, Richard Sadler, Guy Kendrew, Luke Walker, Tom Minta, Gary Macdonald, Dan Peace, James Fry and Ben Hemingway. Plus theres always a surprise or two from riders who just go on a hot streak.
All will be revealed dont miss next weeks issue with a full action report and pics of the Pre-65 plus First Day revelations from the Six Day...
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