From The Editor's Chair

VOL. 20 ISSUE 3

By Bob Twigg

March "gossip" The reports of the Dakar rally came in with the very sad news of two deaths at the event. Both riders gave their best to take part in a fantastic competition, RIP to both of them. With hundreds of miles to cover it is amazing to me that the riders can cope with it. Plus they are sleeping out in the deserts at bivouacs, not very comfortable I would think. 114 riders and 23 quads started the first day, quite a spectacle I bet. The winner American Ricky Brabec said after the deaths, "A sad day for people who support cross country rallies, the race stages don't mean anything anymore, It's secondary, life goes way beyond sport". Well done to all who took part, any rider who is fit enough to ride has a lot to be proud of.

Returning to the trials scene, the photos sent in by Sliders photography man Gary Dowzall are great, many thanks for attending "Gazza"! We look forward to seeing your "piccies" in both TSM and TMX.

The Watford camera club came to Dews Farm a couple of years ago and took some nice photos, though I did have to tell them where to stand, some took on precarious positions in the sections . I wouldn't like to have seen their expensive gear damaged by a wayward bike!

It was interesting to read an E mail the other day about people complaining about both the Lakes district and Snowdon, the famous Top Gear presenter said that the Ramblers were the worst of the moaners and the other chap said someone had asked why the path up Snowdon didn't have wheelchair access or a nice cafe half way up! Words fail me.

The American motocross season has started, though when I see some of the photos I wonder about spectator safety, maybe I am getting picky now! The enduro season has also got under way with some good results from the UK chaps, maybe they were just good trials riders and have moved on! Some of the hazards look frightening, not just the lorry tyres but some of the climbs look rather steep, someone said once to me that an enduro bike can do anything a trials bike can. I'm not sure of that one, some of us with Ronnie Corbett size legs might find it difficult, those bikes have high seats!

All readers.. if you have anything you would like put in TSM please get in touch, nothing rude though, we have to be careful, Andy would like more reports of events and also a calendar of what clubs are doing, road trials, enduros, bike meets motocross, road racing anything to do with bikes, that is what we need, GO ON do it! PS. The picture of Robert Twigg in the report of the AMCA Pre65 motocross event was not me!