Trials Torque: Are you ready for a Highland fling?
By John Dickinson on 12th Apr 17
WITH just three weeks to go now to the start of the 2017 Scottish Six Days Trial which runs from Monday to Saturday, May 1-6, the 280 contenders should now be thinking hard about final bike prep for the big occasion.
A ride in the Scottish is a big commitment in time and money and having got your body in prime condition following a hard winter's fitness regime (you did didn't you?) you don't want to be retiring with a bike problem that you could easily have forseen and eliminated.
These days riders of all the main marques offerings have a huge advantage over competitors of just a few years ago as the factories send their works trucks and even mechanics to assist competitors mounted on their machines.
Riders are provided with a work area, bike stand and the use of tools, airlines, lubricants and especially the hard-earned knowledge of the mechanics.
Short of a major mechanical failure any reasonable problem can be fixed.
However, the operative word is ‘assist' or ‘help' and the importers are keen to point out that bike preparation is the responsibility of the rider.
Every year people turn up and expect the factory truck and mechanic to prep their bike for the week ahead.
Several of the importers go to great lengths to help riders prep their bikes and as well as the obvious, like checking every single nut, bolt, spoke etc, etc there are specific tips for individual bikes or models.
How to best keep water out of the airbox for example – just remember that while you certainly need to keep muck and water out you still need to let air in...
These people have huge experience in prepping bikes for the Scottish so log on to the relevant website and check out the advice.
The factory trucks obviously contain copious amounts of spare parts but again, don't just rely on this.
They won't have 280 rear mudguards or brake levers so if you think you are likely to need certain spares, equip yourself with them before you go, whether you buy them or borrow them and have them squirreled away in your van.
Part of the fun of riding Scotland is the nervous pre-trial final prep in parc ferme before scrutineering.
And while you can spend a happy couple of hours of final prep ensure that you have done all the important mechanical prep beforehand and all you have to do on Sunday is apply your stickers!
And don't forget that you need an operative sidestand.
It isn't just a petty rule, a sidestand is a necessity for propping up your bike in parc ferme each night.
Every year someone is rushing round seeking a prop stand as they don't use one for the rest of the year and have forgotten to re-fit it – and it is somewhere in the shed at home.
While riding in the event the main problem area is keeping the radiator clear or mud.
Modern trials engines run on the absolute minumum of coolant and if you lose just a little of this the motor will boil.
Taking 30 seconds to check the rad after each moorland run will save you a retirement.
Similarly, don't ride like an idiot on the moors.
As well as nice soft bogs remember there are plenty of rocks in that heather and you find that those riders who have three punctures every day are the ones smacking into those rocks on the moors and tracks.
Watch where you are going and unless you are unlucky you can stay puncture-free.
So, time to hit the shed and get that Scottish bike prepped.
Do it NOW and give yourself a fighting chance of a trouble and stress-free week in the saddle...
