With great encouragement from Jared Anskatis and Ross Osbourne the originators of this twinshock event, I headed off to Emu Flat to meet my sponsor for the day Phil Whittle and his mighty TY250 , Bulty 350 and his recently finished Jawa pre 65' which is a work of art!
I was dubious about riding a twinshock as the last time was 39 years ago and they just look and sound so foreign compared to the awesome modern bikes. Phil let me setup the TY to my liking in the handlebar and lever stakes so we were quickly ready to go.
The first section was a remake of the English Kickstart . It was a long section that combined man made obstacles with natural terrain that included logs and a creek. The section was timed but also observed. We all watched each other ride against the clock on the course on his own. It was fantastic with some heroic efforts that ended in tears at the final mono straight that went up to the finish line. Brooke Lonie started her mono as normal both feet on her pegs then went to side saddle as ladies do half way thru , crossed the finish line and cartwheeled to a stop in the dust !! There was great laughter and cheering shared by all watching the exploits !!
We then moved on to the 8 sections as a normal trial would have. Tony Bax made a huge effort to travel down to support and enjoy the event. Not only did he win the Kickstart event but he bought down a changing of the batton scoring idea that they use in Queensland. Basically one rider observes another , when he completes the section the observing rider marks his card and gives the marker to that rider whom then becomes the next observer. It worked pretty well and definitley worth trialing ( pardon the pun ) for the future.
I rode the TY into the first section finger on the clutch and expecting to cruise thru. Wrong !!! I was all over the shop going way to fast riding it the way you would a modern . Luckily I got out of the section for 300 dabs !! Next section I rode a lot slower and realised they have so much torque and flywheel action that you don't need the clutch finger ! The other noticable difference is they go up ANYTHING !!! No wheelspin they just grip and plod ! Way better than a modern bike !! We all talk about body english in trials but its an old term and really the average blue plate rider hardly has to move his body to get thru a section but with the twinshock you end up looking like a Mick Andrews impersonator to steer them around ! If you put the effort in they really do go where you want !!
Im officially now an addict !! Phil paid under $1000 for his TY and it was perfect to ride and he had done very little to it he said. We all have a pushbike or 2 sitting in our garages being unused so I reckon all you folk that havent had a go at twinshock you grab one from anywhere and come and join the FUN !! They are a great bunch of people all with vast knowledge that they are ready to freely share with any other rider that would like to start. They all have their preferred suppliers mainly in England for required bits and bobs and if you cant find it Phil or someone can probably make it !! So you now have 12 months to buy or borrow a twinshock and become a convert also. It is an awesome event that is now a regular in the Victorian calender. You really do feel like an ol' Pommy legend doing the goods !! Expect to see you goatin out in 2016 !!
Photo Credit: Glenda Whittle