Twin Peaks - Kia's still going strong
By John Dickinson on 12th Apr 17
THE KIA National Twinshock Trials Championship is now in its fourth year and has simply gone from strength to strength.
The first two rounds, run by the Congleton club at Mow Cop, Cheshire and the Castleside club which staged its round on the moors at Edmundbyers near Consett in County Durham, both received maximum entries of 160 – with a reserve list!
That says it all. One of the major draws of the series is the huge variety of machinery on offer.
There are classes for Britshocks, Original Spanish Twinshocks, Open Twinshocks and even an Air-cooled mono class so there is just so much scope.
As we know, modern trials bikes are amazing, their performance far outweighs the riders' ability and there is little you can do to improve performance.
You put petrol in them, ride them, wash them and that's that. What's not to like?
But many – mainly more mature – riders clearly seek more involvement in their hobby.
Classic bikes appeal to riders who want to get their hands dirty, who want to make something out of nothing or simply improve and make the most of what were often pretty basic bikes. There is also the huge nostalgia draw, many out there enjoy a trip back in time to riding the bikes they competed on in their youth.
Which is why Twinshocks and Air-cooled monos appeal more to riders of a certain age than do Pre-65s. It's all so obvious really.
As many of you know, the series was dreamed-up by Alan Wright, Peter Salt and Gerry Minshall with Gerry's better half Fredina making it all happen. All three gents compete in the series of their own making and you can't get more hands-on than that.
The third event of the nine round 2017 series is coming up on Sunday, April 23 courtesy of the Nene Valley club and it has also received a bumper entry with the club upping their initial entry limit of 125 and have accepted around 150...
Just to show what's going on here's just a few of the bikes that have turned-out in the first couple of rounds.
And there'll be plenty more rolled-out as the year progresses.
So why not have a look in the shed and dig out that sleeping Twinshock or more likely Air-cooled mono. Get back to having fun...
For more info check out the series website at twinshockchampionship.org.uk
