Trial preview

Words: Trials Guru

Photos: Iain Lawrie, Kinlochleven; Fin Yeaman

The second Leven Valley 2 Day Trial takes place on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th September 2019, its base is the Ice Factor in Kinlochleven.

Satisfying a ten year desire for a Twinshock/Britshock style event, it is an alternative event to the well established Pre’65 type event held in the Kinlochleven area, as the classic trials movement moves onwards.

The word ‘twinshock’ wasn’t even used in the 1970s through to the mid 1980s when the mono-shock framed machines stole the trials show with the advent of the game changing Yamaha TY250S developed by Nigel Birkett, followed by Beta with their TR machines and of course Honda with their RTL250S model.

Riders of the original twinshocks are now into their 60’s and original Pre’65 riders are moving into their 80’s, hard to believe but true!

The Leven Valley began life in 2018 with 150 competitors, a fantastic achievement in its inaugural year, but the popularity mushroomed and this year the enthusiastic local club, Kinlochleven & District have pushed the boat out by accommodating 250 competitors, exceeding the limit of the Pre’65 Scottish and coming close to equalling the SSDT itself.

Local businessman and club chairman, Martin Murphy summed it up well when interviewed by Trials Guru last week: “We are satisfying a long felt demand for a good twinshock type trial in God’s own trials country. The event is organised by local people and that was important to those of us who live and work in the village. Last year we held a raffle at the prize giving ceremony and the funds raised went to local good causes. we like to put something back into the community. We are also very grateful to the local landowners and businesses that support us, including Jahama Estates who hold a sizeable amount of the land we use. I hope the riders appreciate the hard work that the club have put in to present a fantastic event, while maintaining good relations with the landowners and government agencies that manage our land here in the Kinlochleven area. Thanks also to Jamie Smith for facilities at the Ice Factor.”

The trial starts at 10.00am Saturday and spectators are welcome to watch the action at Hydro, Pollock, Cieran Burn, The Kennels and Lower Mamore at the start of the lap, and Mambrec and Lochiel Burn at the end of the day.

Food and refreshments will be available all day at The Ice Factor and the venue will have entertainment including a live band on Saturday evening.

On the Sunday, the action starts earlier at 9.00am with spectators accessing the sections at Hydro, Pollock, The Kennels and Lower Mamore on the outward loop, with  sections at Pipeline and Aluminium Works at the end of the second day.

Once again, The Ice Factor will be open all day for food and refreshments, and this venue will also host the Trial Awards on Sunday evening with some input from Trials Guru’s John Moffat and a trials celebrity presenting the awards.

Remember to obtain your copy of the Leven Valley Two Day Trial official programme available at the Ice Factor and start area.