Flights Of Fancy - Age Is A Timeless Thing.

❝I am often asked to recall the odd memorable moment from my days travelling across Europe to trial world championships❞

Back for a gallop – or perhaps a hackwould be more appropriate for acynical old journo – on that old hobby horse the Scottish Pre-65 no less, and the never ending debate over eligibility. Only with a twist this time, the question being one of riders – not machinery!

This old chestnut dropped from an unsuspecting tree at a KIA round in what could best be described as a brief unexpected exchange of ignorance. I was chatting about Dan Thorpe’s Scottish Pre-65 victory with a well known and respected trials face when a pleasant chap standing within earshot chipped in with: “It shouldn’t be allowed, these young riders in the Pre-65.”

Responding, possibly too quickly, with raised eyebrows, I said: “What, that young whippersnapper, 40-year-old Dan Thorpe shouldn’t be allowed to ride the Pre-65?”

“Well, it’s the principle isn’t it?” was the reply.

Okay, I know what he meant, but in reality there is actually no principle to adhere to any more.