Alan Morewood from Sheffield who became a top sidecar driver, came along on his 500 Ariel as he was number 205 that year, he stopped and asked if I was Okay? ‘Yes, fine’ I said, ‘Bye’ he said and rode off.

A couple of minutes later and Alan was back. ‘Rob, are you sure you are al-right, you look dazed?’ said Alan. ‘No problem’ I said and off he went again. Somehow I managed to get back to Fort William to finish the day’s run.

The first person I spoke to asked what I had been doing to scratch my face? Then someone said, ‘never mind his face, look at the back of his bike!’

The rear end was totally out of line. I then realised that I must have hit a pothole in the road with the front wheel over Corrieyarrick, cartwheeled and that explained my rest on the bank.

We pulled the bike back into line with a length of pipe that we found. Apart from a bit of a headache, it was back to business as usual.

Rest of the week was not as eventful and had a good old needle match with my mate Sid Lampkin who was on a factory Cotton that year. For the next year, I had bought another AJS from Comerfords, Thames Ditton built by Jock Wilson. I’ll tell you about that ride next!

I’ve just been looking again at the fine Brian Holder photograph of me on the AJS on ‘Ben Nevis’ in 1964. The chap directly behind me is Mick Ward from Scarborough.

He built a bike especially for this event. He had the novel idea of taking the exhaust through the back frame loop to save a bit of weight.

However, when he got stuck, the ever helpful spectators would rush to his aid, not realising the exhaust was the rear frame loop and severely burn their hands in their quest to assist! I’m sure the A&E at Fort William were extra busy that week with burns!

I bet Mick never thought that one day Valentino Rossi would copy his helmet design!” … Rob

Trials Guru comment: – The 1964 Scottish Six Days, this edition was won by Sammy Miller riding the much modified and much weight reduced, Ariel HT5. This would be the last time he would do so on the British four-stroke, Miller had already been secret testing the 200cc Bultaco Sherpa which he was later to develop to an increased 244cc and thus created a world beating machine with the San Adrien De Besos factory.

From the 1964 Scottish Six Days Trial Results:

No. 210. R. Edwards, Middlesbrough & Dist. M.C., A.J.S. 350 c.c. …. 124 marks S F C (Special First Class Award)

Rob’s eventful Scottish ‘Thursday’ was May 7th 1964. The route was as follows, let’s follow where Rob went that day: Start, Fort William; Inverlochy; 2 sections at Annat; Banavie; Gairlochy; 8 sections at Laggan Locks; Corrieyarrick Pass (where Rob has his big off!); Melgarve; Laggan Inn; Roy Bridge; Inverlochy – Lunch control; Glen Nevis; 4 sections at Ben Nevis; Fort William – Down Ashburn Lane; Onich; Kinlochleven; 1 section on Pollock Way; 8 sections at Leitir Bo Fionn; Down Loch Eild Path; 8 sections at Mamore; Check at top of hill; Mamore Road; 2 sections on the Town Hall Brae and Finish of day. Total Mileage 132 miles. 33 sections.

SSDT Point of interest: The number plates you see in the SSDT photos were issued to riders by the organising club. The rider paid a fee of ten shillings and forfeited the deposit if they didn’t hand the plates back at the end of the event. In 1964 the number plate official was Bob Adamson who later was to become SSDT Assistant Secretary and Secretary of the Pre’65 Scottish Trial.

Blackburn Holden:  “My Dad rode with Rob Edwards many times and considered him a true gentleman of the sport”.

Chapter 5 : The 1965 Scottish :

“A few weeks before the ’65 SSDT, I had an out-of-the-blue phone call from Hugh Viney, the competitions manager at Associated Motorcycles (AMC) who owned the AJS & Matchless brands; wanting to know if I would ride in the ‘works’ team in the forthcoming Scottish – WOULD I?

However, there was no time for them to prepare me a bike and Mick’s bike 644BLB wasn’t available for some reason, so I needed to ride my own Ajay – not a problem!

Both the ‘Gordons’ – McLaughlan and Blakeway, had put my name forward to be in the team to Hugh Viney, so a big ‘thank you’ to them both for that gesture, which I have treasured all my life since.

My week was going well, I was clean on the Tuesday.

Later in the same day, we were looking forward to riding the new section ‘Pipeline’, introduced the previous year.

There were so many stories about ‘Pipeline’ that I wasn’t really sure if it had been cleaned yet or not.

I had teamed up with Alan Chant from Bexley-Heath who was on a 350 Matchless.

In those days all the ‘big bikes’ were grouped at the back of the field.

As we rode up to ‘Pipeline’, the spectators were all heading back into Kinlochleven.

Alan and myself walked the hill and both agreed on bottom gear.

Alan went first and he cleaned it.

I went next and after a bit of a shaky start, by trying to go too fast too soon.

I settled down and at the right speed things were a lot easier and guess what, I cleaned it.

I bet the spectators who left early were a bit peeved!

On the Thursday, I parked my bike close to the first section on ‘Mamore’ and went off to view the sections.

When I returned to my bike, there was a large pool of oil on the floor underneath!

A stone must have flicked up from the front wheel and hit the small alloy casting that the oil feed to the cylinder-head connects to and smashed it.

There was no way of fixing it, so I set off free-wheeling down to the road, expecting to retire from the trial.

I was sitting by the road side at the gate, that is the entrance to the famous Mamore path, when a car and trailer pulled up.

“Whats up Rob” the chap shouted over, I explained my plight.

“No problem mate, give me two minutes and I will take the one off my bike” he said.

In all the confusion and despair, I hadn’t noticed that the bike on the trailer was a 350 AJS, what a stroke of luck – for me anyway.

The engine had ‘gone bang’ and the fellow had retired from the trial.

You don’t have to be good with luck like that!

He got me going and I forget the lads’ name but I am indebted to his sportsmanship and generosity that day.

On the sixth day, we did Town Hall Brae in the centre of Fort William. We were then faced with the long ride back to Edinburgh.

For me it had been a great week thanks to Gordon Blakeway and Gordon McLaughlan.” – Rob

Trials Guru added: 1965 was the effective beginning of the end for the ‘big bikes’ that Rob talks about. Sammy Miller had been victorious for the last time on his 500cc Ariel (GOV132) and had moved over in late 1964 to the Spanish Bultaco, the creation of Franciso Xavier Bulto.

Miller brought the 244cc Sherpa T (669NHO), home to victory in the 1965 Scottish losing 29 marks, the first win on a foreign machine in the trials’ history.

Second place was Arthur J. Lampkin on his 249cc BSA (XON688) losing 33 marks and third was Mick Andrews, 250cc James (307AKV) on 37 marks.

It wasn’t all to go Miller’s way though, a year later, arch rival Alan ‘Sid’ Lampkin was to snatch victory from Miller’s grasp on his 249cc BSA (748MOE).

In the ’65 trial, Rob Edwards rode number 207 as part of the works AJS team comprising of Edwards, Gordon S. Blakeway (No. 178) and Gordon O. McLaughlan (No. 177).

Rob rode his own machine registered 970PL with many of the works style modifications.

However, history records that it was Triumph that won the 1965 Manufacturers Team Prize, the Blackford Challenge Trophy.

From the Official Results of the 1965 Scottish Six Days Trial:

Award 16 – For the best performance by a competitor on a solo motor cycle from 251-350 c.c. – R. Edwards (A.J.S.).

In the 1965 Scottish, Rob lost 63 marks and gained a Special First Class Award, just 6 marks behind his friend Alan Lampkin who went on to win the following year.

Rob talks about his AJS 16C:

“When the SSDT started and finished in Edinburgh, on the sixth day after the lunch check at Crianlarich there were no more sections until the Royal Observatory on Blackford Hill in the city. This was purely to see if your clutch still worked. You had to stop between two yellow lines and when the official dropped his flag you could move on – simple.

When you passed a third yellow line, that was the end of the observed hill. The path was so flat, nobody actually treat it like a section. However, I did see a rider who when the flag dropped he picked up the front wheel and tried to wheelie to the ends cards unfortunately he tipped his bike over backwards and his score went up by five points.

Chapter 6 : The late 1960’s

You had to reset it every minute but this was the Ritz compared with the pickup. We took turns pressing the start button.

Unfortunately one time it didn’t ignite. I was woken up by the smell of gas and a hissing sound. The next second, there was a tremendous bang and the heater left the wall it was on and splattered against the opposite one.

We were last seen running flat out along the platform with the station master in hot pursuit shouting: “I’ve rung the police boyo you’ll not get away”. –
It was back to the “pickup hotel” after that! – Great memories – Now, as promised, on to where I ended up next.” … Rob

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Chapter 7 : Moving on

“Leaving Cotton Motorcycles was a necessary move if I was to improve, but I will always be grateful for the support Norman Crooks gave me.

I knew exactly what I wanted to ride … Montesa!

Plucking up courage, I telephoned Montala Motors in London who were the UK importers at that time. I told them my name and some of my results.

I asked if there was any chance of riding for them?

I was told that they simply had no vacancies. Montala’s ‘dream team’ being Gordon Farley, Lawrence Telling and Don Smith. However, I asked that if a ride became available I would like to be considered. I had set my heart on riding for Montesa but as this was a no-go, I would have to try elsewhere.

The only other top bike in my estimation was a Bultaco Sherpa, so I took a sharp intake of breath and phoned up Comerfords in Thames Ditton, Surrey, the Bultaco importers. Most of the male employees who worked at Comerfords were trials riders. So much to my delight, things started to look a lot better.

Having a bike could be sorted immediately and they were sure that Bultaco Spain would give me a contract. “We will be back in touch as soon as we hear anything”, were their parting words.

I put the phone down and gave a big sigh of relief, things were really starting to move. Then the phone rang, but this time it was Montala Motors boss John Brise. Apparently seconds after I had talked with them, Montesa Competitions Manager, Alberto Mallofre phoned them. Unknown to me, it appeared that Alberto had been a fan of mine for a long time and he had wanted me on a Montesa.

I don’t think John Brise really knew anything about me and was being polite when I phoned him, but the factory did and that was the break I needed!

It seemed that everybody knew about me at Montesa, they had been keeping an eye on my results.

They said everything was in hand, so don’t look elsewhere! Alberto was on the phone to me the next day asking me to go to the Spanish round of the European championships in Barcelona.

While I was there, he had a few things he would like to talk to me about.

I travelled there with fellow Montesa riders Charlie Harris and Ian Haydon.

Now that things were up and moving I was back on the phone to Comerfords to offer my thanks for trying so hard for me. I take this opportunity to thank everyone at Comerfords back then, even although I made the move to ride for Montesa and I didn’t look back.” – Rob

 Montesa ‘Ambassador’ Rob Edwards:

Montala Motors, Montesa UK Importers ‘Dream Team’ consisted of Telling; Farley and Smith.

Trials Guru added: Montesa, by 1968, had made serious in-roads into the UK trials market with their Cota 247 Mk1 model. It was becoming a very popular machine which would allow British riders to make a name for themselves in national events. Rob mentions the Montesa ‘Dream Team’ and that is correct in that Lawrence ‘Sparky’ Telling, Don Smith and Gordon Farley had all left the Greeves marque for Montesa. Charlie Harris was effectively a development rider in the Uk for the Cota.

Chapter 8 : Montesa Time!

Chapter 9 : Montesa Abroad!

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Chapter 10 : Back in the USA – 1972

Chapter 11 : More work overseas!

This was planned for October 1976, just in time to miss the cold weather at home. I arrived in Santiago and was taken to a cocktail party organised by the local motor club.

Everybody was friendly except one person. I was later to find out he was the touring car champ of Chile. He came up to me and said: “…if you are so flippin good come to my garage tomorrow and ride over my car”. His car was a mini, so I thought with low profile tyres lowered suspension etc it would be no problem.

I arrived at his garage to find that the touring cars had to be absolutely standard. Not only that they had hydrolastic suspension. The driver had invited all his pals and they were doubled up laughing. This made me more determined to do it. Once on top of the car I breathed a big sigh of relief.

My next stop was Columbia. I landed in Bogata and was due to change planes to Medellin. Unfortunately my flight was one hour late. The next flight was in 23 hours time.

My journey had started in Spain so the only currency I had was pesetas because there were no flights from Bogata to Spain they would not change my pesetas. I was sat in the quietest airport I had ever been in and worse than that I was stuck here for the next 23 hours!

There was about four guards with rifles and what may have been National dress. One came up to me he was quite helpful.

“You no go sleep” he quipped. So, laughing I said possibly steal my luggage eh! “No” he said, “first” he said, drawing a line with his fingers across his throat “then steal your luggage”. That really cheered me up!
Shortly after the soldier returned with a person who I can best describe as a ‘Jack the lad’ (not the sort of person you would trust usually)

“You want hotel?”,  “yes please” I said and explained my predicament. “No problem” he replied “Pesatas? – okay follow me”. We set off out of the airport and the soldier gave me a reassuring thumbs up.

My new ‘friend’ was holding the back doors of a Toyota van open telling me to get in. As the doors were closed I thought oh well what have I got to loose only my life – Help! “I will pick you up at 8.30 tomorrow morning” he shouted as he left. I couldn’t believe it when at 8.30am prompt he was there to pick me up. His fee was 1000 pesetas! You live and learn!” – Rob

Trials Guru says: Rob Edwards was competing week in, week out with Montesa.

The Cota model was being constantly developed and in 1975 was increased to 310cc with the in-coming model ‘348 prototype’ first seen in the hands of Spaniard Francisco Paya, which was later to become the production Malcolm Rathmell Replica/348 models.

1974 saw Rob pick up the Alfred Scott trophy when he was victorious in the Scott Trial, more on that later, but here is a photo taken at the Kings’ Head Hotel, Richmond at the presentation of awards.

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Chapter 12 : Venezuela:

“The adventure getting to Medellin still wasn’t over. I didn’t know that Medellin was situated in the bottom of what was probably a extinct volcano. It was only a short journey but I didn’t realise how short.

The plane a DC10, took off and immediately went into a very steep climb then I could hear it throttling back. I looked out of the window and we were definitely losing height.

Suddenly we dropped like a stone everybody screamed but not as loud as me.

The reason for the sudden decent was that there were two white lines on the runway and if the plane hadn’t touched down between them there was a possibility that the pilot might not get the plane stopped before the end of the runway. In which case, his only option would be to try to take off again but there wouldn’t be sufficient runway left.

I am pleased to say that this information was kept from me.

I enjoyed doing the schools but its the sort of thing that’s easier to do than write about especially when you are a rider and not a journalist.

This was without a doubt the first school I had done with six armed guards to keep us safe. Fortunately we didn’t need them!

Only the Venezuela school to go now and then I’m off home. The ride from the airport to Caracas was at night.

It was very picturesque the hillsides were a mass of twinkling lights however in daylight it was a totally different picture.The hillsides were covered with people living in ramshackle wooden shacks and cardboard boxes.

The flickering lights were their only form of light candles.

Venezuela road racer Johnny Ceccoto had recently won the World 250cc Racing Championship, so the whole country was speed mad. Fortunately, the trials riders were keen to learn although sometimes it was difficult when the section became blocked with four or five motocross bikes whose riders thought they would have a go at the section for themselves. The top rider here was Amando Diaz who a few years later came over to ride the SSDT.
Now I am off home and looking forward to some good old fashioned mud!” – ROB

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Chapter 13 : Fun with friends:

“I can tell that  photos accompanying my story are very popular. The one of me on the old ‘Ben Nevis’ section is especially good in regards to the crowd. Many names have been put forward, but I wonder how many spotted Mick Andrews’ Dad, Tom; Comerfords’ Derek Cranfield; trials ace Chris Cullen and my Dad, Bob is stood in front of Tom Andrews, Mick’s father. 
I also found some very rare pictures of Trial sidecar aces Andrews and Edwards! See below. They were taken at the Cingles three day trial in Spain.

The trial was round of European sidecar championship. The outfit was borrowed from Colin Dommett and passanger Eric Chamberlain. We changed our names to ‘Colin Dabbit’ and ‘Eric Chambermaid’. With Mick riding and me in the chair, we were fab but when we swapped around we were absolutely pathetic.

The photos were taken by the little known photographer Dickie Bowes. Most of my photographs got looked at then put away but thanks to ‘The Guru’ I have dug them out again, resulting in some priceless finds!

One in particular I’m again on ‘Ben Nevis’ and sat on the bank is ex -BSA works rider and all round diamond guy, Tom Ellis.
So far 1975 has been a good year, I have done schools in Italy and Greece.

I have had the chance to catch up with my old friends.

That reminds me, my friend and fellow trials rider Mick Welford invited me to Masham to try out some land he had got for practice. When I arrived, I had Martin Lampkin and a very young John Lampkin with me. I was about to learn a very different type of tuition to what I was used to. The section along a stream then around the back of a jagged rock. Around this rock could be a little dangerous, especially if you were going for a clean.

John however was happy to go for a safe dab time after time. Don’t forget he was a very young lad at the time. Mart had noticed this and as John entered the section in a loud voice he shouted “John”  “Yes Mart” John said.

“If you go for a safe dab again I will break your bloody leg” growled Martin.

The theory behind this remark is saying when you practice it’s no good doing sections you can clean.

For some years now, I had traveled with Mart all over Europe in the Bultaco van.

Jim Sandiford had kindly bought the Montesa team a van, however I am sure it was jinxed. In the end it went back to Jim. Turning up at the Montesa factory in a Bultaco van was something that the factory just couldn’t get their heads around and the same at Bultaco.

Alberto Mallofre explained to me that if there were two brothers in a family and one worked at Bultaco and one at Montesa they would treat each other as enemies and never speak. I’m pleased to say this problem was resolved and everybody was happy.

So it was back to England from Spain, Mart; Sid; Thorpey; Nigel Birkett and me squashed into a Transit. happy days indeed – It was great! – My next trip was to the land ‘Down Under’. “-  Rob.

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Chapter 13 : 1975

“After a long break it is now 1975 and following a letter from Modesto Sole I am now off to do schools or as the Spanish say ‘cursillos’ in Sydney Australia.

The trials scene here was developed to a standard that was maybe equal to America. This was due to a combination of things.

The enthusiasm of the Montesa importers Lylle and Gary O’Brian Peter Plaice, Australian Champion and our own Chris Leighfield who had emigrated there from England.

Between them I was kept busy and my fortnight flew by.

When you are with a factory with the enthusiasm of Montesa you never know what will happen next.

I was due to go to Central America but at the last minute I had a telephone call from Modesto asking me to please go to South Africa before Central America.

My ticket was for Johannesburg.

I couldn’t believe when I got off the plane who was there to meet me but ex-clerk of the course for the Scott Trial 40 years ago now resident in South Africa Eddie Bentley.

There was more to come, I heard somebody shout in the broadest Yorkshire accent “Robbie!” the next second I was in a head lock on the ground. It was none other than Mick Wilkinson.

Eddie had been in touch with our factories, Ossa and Montesa and organised this get together. Mick is a character like no other.

He started trialing about two years after me and on two or three occasions our numbers in the SSDT were close enough to be able to team up for the week and a good time was had by all.

Back to South Africa during our schools I acted as interpreter as nobody could understand Mick. We had a fallen tree that we were back and forth over. One rider asked Mick what technique do you use to cross the tree?
Mick looked at him as if to say what are you asking me for? – still looking puzzled, he imparted his knowledge
“Ar just give tord Ossa a gurt hand full and flick ‘t r send over”. Thank you Mick for those pearls of wisdom!

By the time I was due to leave, South Africa was starting to adjust to Mick. Believe me its well worth the effort he is a one and only!
Off again this time to Venezuela.

My main job here was to be clerk of the course for the forthcoming Venezuela Trials Championship.

On my days off, the lads would take me Trial bike Trail rides!

Where the rain water had run down through the jungle it cut deep gullies which made fantastic sections called ‘pikas’.

These were a kilometer or more in length not only did they make good sections they were great for keeping you fit.

On the day of the trial the premier went to Amando Diaz as expected.
My next schools were in El Salvador and Honduras. Trials here were very much in infancy.

My time here was spent going back to the beginning, machine preparation section making and of course balance and throttle control.

Several of my friends from Guatemala had turned up in Honduras. This made my job a lot easier it meant I didn’t have to do all the demonstration so I had more time to talk to people and answer questions.

My next stop was Guatemala my home from home.

It is one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited everywhere you look there are active volcanoes.

As well as this the people are great. The day before I was due to fly back home we all went on a trail ride to the top of one of the volcanoes.

We were able to ride most of the way but to reach the top we had to abandon the bikes and precede on foot. In the soft sand you took one step forward and two steps back.

It was incredible standing on the rim at the top watching the lava bubbling away below.

If the wind changed direction you had to quickly cover your mouth because the sulpher fumes were overpowering. It was so remote here that we stopped for a coke at a village store.

One very kind native came up with a bucket of water and asked if my horse would like a drink?

I thanked him but decided not to explain that Montesas don’t drink water.

Time to go back to England now. So goodbye to Guatemala and thank you very much.

Hope to see you all again someday.” – Rob

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Chapter 14 : 1980

“In September 1980, I set off on what was to be my final promotional trip with Montesa.

It started in Venezuela then Argentina and finally Paraguay. By the time I reached Paraguay I was exhausted and I had no choice other than to go home.

I visited my doctor who sent me straight to hospital. X-rays showed that I had practically no air in my lungs at all.

I didn’t need an x ray to tell me this, however it was nice to have my suspicions confirmed.

I was put on oxygen 24 hours a day. With daily visits from physiotherapist I began to make a small amount of progress.

Nobody could put a name to it the nearest they could get was asthma.

I had now been ill for almost twenty years being treated for asthma taking large quantities of steroids calledprednisolone. Without these I would not have survived but the side effect is I now have osteoporosis quite badly.

Christmas 1988 I was really ill and after a blood test was admitted straight to hospital.

At first the doctors thought I had Malaria.

After many tests Doctor Amanda Isdale finally diagnosed my problem as a condition called Churg-Strauss Syndrome.

The illness causes inflammation of the blood vessels called vasculitus and it can stop the flow of blood anywhere in the body with drastic results. So why the asthma?

The answer to this is Churg-Strauss disguises itself as asthma and that’s the reason its so hard to identify.

At the time of diagnosis I was one of only one hundred people in the UK with this problem. Trust me to get something that nobody else wanted!

I had now had the Churg-Strauss for several years so the only treatment open to me was chemotherapy.

I had the treatment every two weeks for nine months. Chemo and me didn’t get along and one morning after my treatment my wife called out our local GP.

When he arrived he told me that after my next infusion I should stop in hospital as I was wasting his time and everybody-elses.

Not exactly what I was expecting but as we know there are good mechanics and bad ones it appears Doctors are the same!
After several weeks in hospital I was allowed home for the weekend.

After the security of the hospital I felt a bit insecure.

I was watching TV when I felt a tremendous pain in the back of my neck at the base of my skull.

The next thing I knew I was in intensive care and I was being told I had suffered a particularly nasty stroke called a Subarachnoid Haemorrage. I am beginning to realise that every illness I get is difficult to spell why cant I get the flu?

Whats happened so far is only the tip of the ice-berg. From now on things get a whole lot worse!”

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Chapter 15 : Beyond belief :

“The part of my story that we have reached now is almost beyond belief.

Many people have asked me over the years, why I suddenly stopped riding and disappeared to? What comes next should answer these questions.

After several weeks in hospital following the Subarachnoid haemorrhage, I was allowed home again. I was only home a matter of days when I suddenly got a terrible pain in my left leg. It went from my heel up to my knee. It was a Sunday morning at 4 a.m. but was so bad we had to call the doctor. He wasn’t at all happy and told me I had a pulled muscle. The pain persisted and we eventually called out another doctor and rang straight away for an ambulance. By the time the ambulance arrived, the pain had stopped but that wasn’t the end of it. The pain was the Churg-Strauss doing its’ thing. It had cut off the blood supply in my left leg from the knee downwards destroying everything  leaving only the bones. I could spin my foot round like a propeller. I had no feeling in it whatsoever. I couldn’t walk at all. The strange thing was I had no feeling in the leg but I had a toothache type of pain that was to last for years. During this time it was impossible to sleep and I spent the nights watching the TV. I was put onto a pain-killer called Fentanyl which is a lot stronger than morphine but I still had the pain.

I then developed a different pain this time it was Gallstones. I was back in hospital again to have my gall-bladder removed. I came home from hospital but developed a pain in the small of my back. I went to see my local GP and she wanted to admit me to hospital. I declined the offer as I had had enough of hospitals to last me a lifetime. She did however give me an envelope with instructions that if I needed to go into hospital to give this envelope to the ambulance staff. As usual, it all went wrong! Just after midnight we had to phone for an ambulance. The problem this time was a pulmonary embolism or blood clot on the lung following the gall bladder operation. I caused a bit of panic in the hospital because I couldn’t breath and collapsed on the floor. Instead of using the oxygen mask they pulled it off and pushed the plastic pipe directly into my mouth and turned the supply flat out. I was kept in bed for three weeks and was not allowed out of bed at all.

The next thing that happened was I suffered a mini stroke. I woke up and my arms were moving about on their own but this stopped quickly. I was in hospital just overnight. Panic over but not for long. I got a pain in my stomach. I managed to get to the phone to ring my wife, Bev. She came home post haste and finding me laid on the floor she phoned for an ambulance. I don’t remember much about the reception part of the hospital as I was in so much pain but I can remember the consultant telling me that they did not know what was wrong and they would not know until they opened me up. They said something had pushed my diaphragm up into my chest cavity. I was in the operating theater for seven hours. When I eventually woke up, I was told that at the end of my operation they had tried everything possible to keep me alive however this was to no avail and they were prepared with the possibility that I was not going to make it. Suddenly I fired up again, maybe it was just a drop of water in my carb! The problem was a perforated bowel caused by Diverticulitus which was a condition I didn’t know I had.

I think we have all suffered enough for now and as crazy as this sounds there are still more serious problems to come before I am out of the woods.
Thanks for taking the time to read all this, I know its not about riding sections, but it makes things clearer for those who remember me riding and disappearing from the trials scene.”

Chapter 16:

“I must apologise for my rather morbid last chapter. I think I have fully answered the question as to where I went to some years ago. Unfortunately I am not out of the woods yet but I will return to less miserable times before we bid each other farewell, but not just yet.

Having survived my perforated bowel the next problems were the various things that can occur with this type of operation. First of all the eight inch scar on my stomach wouldn’t heal up. Typical of me I had managed to get MRSA, oh and sepsis as well as a fungal infection in my blood, but apart from this things were going great!
I then had another suspected mini-stroke and had a brain scan just to check. This didn’t show up anything that wasn’t expected apart from an aneurysm at the base of my brain. Knowing the size of my brain I was sure it would only be a small one! 

Back in hospital again it is then. The surgeon told me that if I moved I could be paralysed or it could be fatal, but I still decided to go ahead with the operation.

This involves passing technical gear into an artery in the groin up to the brain. When I was taken to have the operation I began to wonder if I was doing the right thing? The operation was not supposed to take long but it was six hours before I arrived back to the recovery ward. I must admit that I was relieved that the operation was now behind me! I bet you are waiting for something to go wrong? Well you wont have to wait that long.

A nurse would check for bleeding every 15 minutes.At 3am I had to press the emergency button because of a very strong pain in my thigh.

Two nurses came straight away and checked the sheets for blood but I wasn’t bleeding externally I was bleeding internally. When the equipment was removed after the operation they had nicked an artery in my groin.

The blood was filling my thigh to the point where it was twice the diameter of the other before the flow of blood was stopped the swollen side had almost burst open.

The pain was horrendous and the blood that was in the wrong place had to come out in its own natural way, bruising. I was black from the tip of my toes up my back and across my shoulders. I now had to have regular blood transfusions.

You will like this next bit. Three days later I was visited by my specialist.

At first I thought I had not heard him properly. Excuse me I said but did you just say I didn’t have my operation? Yes he said it was not accessible, sorry.

In fairness to my surgeons they didn’t risk anything that could have caused me serious damage  so I am very grateful for that.

When I picked up after this latest episode I was glad to get back to my workshop.

I now make models out of scraps  of aluminium. I was working away then all of a sudden I had no idea what was happening I didn’t know where I was, totally confused. We rang the doctor and he was here within minutes. After a few basic tests like putting on my coat and shoes I failed hopelessly. He said I had suffered a stroke and rang for an ambulance. On arrival at A&E I was checked over and was told I hadn’t suffered a stroke and the confusion was called by the antibiotics I was taking.

I was sent home despite the fact I couldn’t even dress myself properly. I put my jumper and trousers on back to front anybody passing must have thought the circus was in town. After a dreadful night at home walking into door frames and not being able to tell the time we rang for an ambulance first thing.

By now I was beginning to wonder who was more confused me or them? A scan revealed I had suffered another stroke. It had also effected my peripheral vision. This usually effects vision in one eye but I had it in both eyes well I would wouldn’t “eye”.”

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Chapter 17 : Light at the end of the tunnel!

“We are cruising towards a gradual finish now. I mean surely nothing more could happen to me? Well actually yes – just for a change, I had an epileptic fit! I was fitting so badly I had to be put into an induced coma.

I must have been enjoying it because they couldn’t wake me up. The good news is I only had one of these.

However, I did have another stroke which effected my speech, balance and I couldn’t write. Now for the good news all these problems are in the past.

I think its something to do with having a competitive spirit and a lot of luck.

I promise I will not talk of illness ever again! My miracle recovery occurred when I stopped taking the pain killer fentanyl. It took me a year to get it out of my system but it has transformed me.
Don’t expect me to be riding in the SSDT again but I hope to be spectating. From now on this is a stroke-free zone!
To cheer you up the next part of my story is a number of things that I had forgotten about but thanks to doing my story with Trials Guru, I have remembered some. I hope you find them amusing. Read on…”

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Chapter 18 : Rob Remembers…

“My favourite Christmas present, 2014 was an e mail from Alberto Mallofre, formerly of Montesa Motorcycles.

He is struggling with a few health problems, but he sends his best wishes to all.
Unfortunately ‘Guru John’ wants me to continue to write down some details telling you some of the things that have happened along the way, just as they come to mind.

I am happy to do this as I didn’t want to finish my story of trials on the dismal subject of health!”

So here we go with ROB Remembers….

“Thorpey, Nige, Sid and I were passing through Austria on our way home from a European Trials Championship round.

Mart was at the wheel and as usual we weren’t hanging about – in an effort to catch the ferry to Dover.

Suddenly, an Austrian policeman walked into the road in front of us holding up a lollipop stop sign.

We knew straight away that we must have gone through a speed trap. Leave this to me said our driver and wound down the window. Marts plan was to use the old ‘no comprende’ trick.

As the bobby put his head through the window he was greeted with an ‘all right pal no comprende’.

“Ah” said the bobby, “thank you for being concerned about my well-being, however you have just passed through a speed trap at almost twice the legal limit and you must pay me x number of Austrian schillings“.

How unlucky could we be he spoke perfect English!

Mart changed to ‘Plan B’. “Look pal we haven’t any Austrian money at all”.

“Oh that’s okay” he said. Had we got away with it?

Pointing up the road he said: “do you see that blue sign?”

“Well that is a bank you can change money there and when you give me the right number of schillings I will give you back your ignition keys”.

The time had come to admit defeat!

At the risk of sounding like an agony aunt, Simon Valente asked me if I could suggest any modifications to the 250 or 348 Montesa?

Well, I was constantly doing small mods to tailor the bike to suit me like popping the fork stanchions through the top yoke by 6mm.

I also made up footrests that were 6mm down and others that were 6mm back.

This way, I could test the position without grinding off the footrest mountings.

Talking as we were about modifications, I remember going to Jim Sandiford’s at Bury to pick up my new bike.

Jim came up to me in the yard as I admired my new machine.

He put a fatherly arm around my shoulders and said to me quietly: “Rob please promise me that you will ride it before you modify it?” Fingers crossed I agreed.
In the 1975 Scottish Six Days, I stopped to talk to Bill Wilkinson at the top of the Black Water sections.  When we set off to cross over Black Water moor Bill went first and I followed behind.

I’ve crossed dozens of moors with Bill but he was going slower and slower. Eventually feeling very embarrassed I overtook him. I gave him a wave and shouted “see you later”.

I couldn’t help thinking poor old Bill. Once in front I set too to make up lost time.

The course went close to the reservoir for sometime then turned hard left and we went up a steep hillside.

I was enjoying the scenery. About three quarters of the way up the hill I spotted another rider who I presumed must have a puncture. When I got close I could see the rider was laid in the heather eating a topic bar. It was bloody Bill Wilkinson! From the grin on his face it was obvious that I had been set up. So much for me feeling sorry for him. For years now I have tried to get the story out of him to no avail – one to you Bill!”

More Bit’s n’ Bobs!

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Trials & Motocross News Columnist!

Trials Guru: In late May 1977, the weekly paper Trials and Motocross News was launched by Lancaster & Morecombe Press, the editor was Bill Lawless.

Rob Edwards was given some column inches to write his own column. Here is an example of ‘Observed Section’ written by Rob …

“I recently noticed a comment from a fellow Thornaby lad, Ian Instone. Ian remembers me as being a good friend to his late father in law Jack Russell.

Jack had a small Motor Cycle Shop in Thornaby, the like of which we will never see again.

He was a main agent for Villiers engine parts.

If it was a motorbike a lawnmower or concrete mixer or whatever Jack could fix it or supply the necessary spares.

I cycled past Jacks shop everyday on my way to Head Wrightsons where I was an apprentice.

We became great pals and the friendship lasted for years. Many people will remember seeing him around Thornaby on his motorbike and sidecar.

The sidecar had been removed and its chassis had been adapted to carry a motorcycle or anything that had been dumped that he could make a few shillings from.

My first bike was a 197cc Dot and I desperately wanted a longer throttle cable.When I turned the handlebars from lock to lock the engine revs went up and down, but finances couldn’t stretch to a longer cable.

One evening I was on my way home from work and I called in for a chat with Jack. He gave me a bag and when I looked inside,yes it was an extra long throttle cable.

“You can pay me for it when you have finished your apprenticeship”. – “Now in the meantime off you go and get some Trials won!”
Jack built a Motorcycle especially for speed events on Pendine Sands in Wales.

The cylinder liner was a piece of cast iron drainpipe that he machined to size in his lathe.

The bike was considered a bit of a joke but he set a time at Pendine sands that wasn’t beaten for years.

He was probably what we might call eccentric today and I am proud to say that we were friends.

Thanks to Ian for jogging my memory.” – Rob

More memories from Rob…

“When I thought I was slowly drifting towards a finish, things keep jogging my memory – so off we go again. My friend Trials Guru says I can keep going as long as I want! – Thanks Guru!
The photo of ‘Hutchy’, Kipper Herrington and myself above, taken by Don Crosby at the Scottish made me realise what a scruffy lot we were. I suppose that because everybody else dressed the same we just blended in.

Footwear in those days was usually Fireman’s boots. The stitching would rub against the frame leaving a big hole into which the footrest usually found its way in. The rest of the section was spent trying to get the footrest back out.
Mick Wilkinson pioneered a great idea for keeping the draught and the rain going through the zip of your Barbour jacket. Take one old Barbour jacket and cut a large D shape out of the back this makes you a large bib. Fasten a length of elastic to it to fit around your neck. Along with my Barbour mittens these were stored in a safe place until the next SSDT!
The guru has also put a picture of me on a 250 Cotton riding ‘Foyers’ and the neckerchief can be clearly seen. Not very trendy – but it kept you warm.
After the Fireman’s boots came the ‘Wellies’. The lads at Mile End Motorcycles in Newcastle were the first to come up with this idea. They were actually Coal Miners waterproof boots and were affectionately known as Mile End wellies. They were followed by Dunlop rubber boots.  At first people laughed at the thought of riding in wellies but I must admit it was great to have dry feet.” – Rob

There’s more….

“I wonder how many Scottish Six Days riders and fans can remember Jonathan Tye’s epic spectacle on Loch Leven?Jonathan was a pilot in the RAF. On the day that we did sections in the Kinlochleven area, Mamore, Grey Mares etc. Jon would fly his Vulcan Bomber slowly and low along the length of Loch Leven and at the last moment, he gave it full throttle over Kinlochleven and headed off over Blackwater. I cant believe I didn’t remember this before! The sight and the noise made the hair on your neck stand up! I haven’t seen Jon for years, so my kind regards to Jon and his elder brother, David.” – Rob

Sink or swim?

Here we see three photos from Rob’s personal collection, it shows Rob’s friend Tony Clark on his Dot, who didn’t stop at the section ends cards and found a mini-sink hole!

“Many thanks to super-enthusiast Iain Lawrie from Kinlochleven, who has found a copy of the second edition of Trials and Motocross News showing my column and my thoughts on the 1977 Scottish Six Days Trial.”

Trials Guru gives information about: – Montesa (Permanyer S.A.)

Rob tells us about his first contact with Montesa concessionaires, Montala Motors Ltd.

Many of us remember Jim Sandiford Imports of Bury as being the UK importers for the Montesa brand. However, before Jim started importation of the brand it was Montala Motors Ltd of Crayford, Kent that had the initial connection with the Montesa factory which was located in Esplugues, an area of Barcelona, Spain.

This was originally due to the Brise family importing tuned Montesa motors primarily for kart racing applications, in which they competed.

John Brise was an accomplished Karting driver, as was his son Tony who progressed to Formula three and beyond to Grands Prix levels, he was part of the Embassy Racing team headed up by Graham Hill.

Tony Brise was to tragically lose his life when Graham Hill’s Piper Turbo-Aztec light aircraft came down on Arkley Golf Course, North London in thick fog in 1975. All on board, including Hill, perished.

Montala were instrumental in signing Don Smith, Gordon Farley and Lawrence Telling, who all defected from Essex based Greeves Motorcycles to ride for Montesa from 1967 – 1969. Montala also took on Charlie Harris as a development rider as he was a good trial rider and rode scrambles on the 250cc Cappra motocross machine. In 1972, they contracted Scottish motocross rider, Jim Stuart to ride for them. Montala also contracted Gloucestershire’s Tony Davis originally a Greeves and BSA works supported trials rider to ride the Nationals and West of England local events for Montesa.

At one time Montesa had two importers in the UK; Montala in the south and Jim Sandifords in the north. Eventually, Sandifords took over the whole UK importership and this continued until 2009.

Rob Edwards’ Scottish Six Days Results:

Year : Riding No. : Machine : Result & Score

1963 : 168 : Cotton 250  : First attempt, (Did not finish, missed section. – N/A

1964 : 210 : AJS 350 : Special First Class – 124 marks

1965 : 207 : AJS 350 : Best 350cc Cup & Special First – 63 marks

1966 : 138 : Bultaco 244 : Eighth Equal with Peter Gaunt & Peter Fletcher – 65 marks

1967 : 41 :  Cotton  250  :  Special first Class – 53 marks

1968 : 99 : Cotton 250 : Fourth position – 60 marks

1969 : 27 : Cotton 170 : Tenth position: Best Up to 200cc Cup – 59 marks

1970 : 124 : Montesa Cota 247 : Second position – 31 marks

1971 : 66 : Montesa Cota 247 : Sixth position – 56 marks

1972 : 112 : Montesa Cota 247 : Third position – 60 marks

1973 : 30 : Montesa Cota 247 : Eight position – 89 marks

1974 : 209 : Montesa Cota 247 : Ninth position – 83 marks

1975 : 102 : Montesa Cota 348 : Retired , (Broken Gearbox – Prototype) – N/A

1976 : 17 : Montesa Cota 247 ; Seventeenth position – 106 marks

1977 : 111 : Montesa Cota 348 : Eighth position – 84 marks

1978 : 194 : Montesa Cota 349 : Second position – 113 marks

1979 : 53 : Montesa Cota 349 : Eighteenth position – 167 marks

1980 : 144 : Ossa 250 : Retired, Electronic Ignition Failure – N/A

1981 : 106 : Montesa Cota 349 : Twenty-eighth position – 204 marks

Other Major Trials Results of Rob Edwards:

Year – Event – Result

1971 – BRITISH EXPERTS – 1st

1972 – BEMROSE – 1st

1972 – RED ROSE – 1st

1972 – VIC BRITTAIN TRIAL – 1st

1972 – NATIONAL JOHN DOUGLAS – 1st

1973 – BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIP – 2nd (BEHIND MARTIN LAMPKIN)

1973 – ITALY WORLD ROUND – 2nd

1973 – ST DAVIDS – 2nd

1973 – ALAN TRIAL – 1st

1973 – WELSH TROPHY TRIAL – 1st

1973 – HILLSBOROUGH NATIONAL – 1st

1973 – PRESIDENTS TROPHY – 1st

1974 – SCOTT TRIAL – WINNER

1974 – COLONIAL – 1st

1974 – HURST CUP TRIAL –  1st
1974 – BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIP – 4th (RATHMELL; MART LAMPKIN; DAVE THORPE; ROB)

1976 – SANTIGOSA 3 DAY – 3rd (VESTY;  RATHMELL;  ROB)

1977 – CLEVELAND – 1st

1977 – SSDT INJURED – 8th + BEST ONE MAKE TEAM

1977 – SCOTT –  3rd (MARTIN LAMPKIN 81  MALCOLM RATHMELL 82  ROB 82)

1977 – HURST CUP – 2nd

1977 – ST DAVIDS NATIONAL TRIAL – 1ST

1978 – KIEFERSFELDEN – 2nd

1978 – RHAYDER EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP TRIAL – 6th

1978 – SCOTT – SPOON

1980 – SCOTT (ILLNESS STARTED) – SPOON

Rob Edwards – what trials people are saying! :

Martin Belair – Montesa USA wrote: I remember first meeting Rob at Saddleback Park in Southern California. He came to compete in our local event and to school us on how to ride a trials motorbike. We all liked him straight away. Rob was always smiling and had a sharp wit. A fine rider, with a great ability to make new friends wherever he went.
Over the years. we saw Rob and Rob Shepherd many more times in Spain at the Montesa Factory. We were all there to ride the Spanish World round at Sant Llorenc del Munt.
I remember Montesa Competition manager, Pedro Pi always referred to them as “Los Robs”.
We had the chance to sample Barcelona and Los Angeles night-life together and some of those stories still survive between myself and Montesa team-mate Mike Griffitts. The nice thing was that where we went, Rob made sure that we were included.
Mike told me that he had gone to Montesa Motors in downtown Los Angeles prior to the 1974 US round of the Euro Championship. The ‘Robs’ and John Hemingway were un-crating stock bikes and prepping them for Sunday’s event, all under the watchful eye of Montesa parts manager Scotsman, Derek Edgar.

Mike noticed that they removed the stock silencer and replaced it with a chrome silencer from a VW bug. Mike being a VW man and having several stingers in his garage made the change and kept using it until the Cota 348 arrived. I remember that it added a bit of a whistle to the exhaust note and it looked cool! 
Rob won that 1974 US round on observation but was excluded on time as was most of the entry. The whole event was disaster. It was poorly organized and not representative of what the US could do.
From my youth till now, I have met many great riders. I have learned that there are those that win races and championships and then there are Champions. Rob is the latter. I hope to see him again someday and share stories over a pint. – Martin Belair

Richard Delaney – Montesa Team USA wrote: “It was a great experience having Rob work with us on the U.S. Montesa Team in California. He’s a great ambassador for Trials!”

Alberto Mallofre, Head of Competition at Montesa Permanyer SA: (written 19th February 2013) – Pedro Pi from Barcelona told me about our dear friend Rob Edwards from Yorkshire through some news he has got from you. Really, I was very happy to hear about Rob. As you probably know, young Rob was deeply appreciated at every corner of the Montesa factory, since he is really the loveliest person. Everybody of us, more or less concerned with Montesa, keep a great memory of nice Rob Edwards character, Rob was absolutely unique. Therefore I would be glad if you are kind enough to express my kindest memory to our old friend Rob Edwards. Nowadays, everyone of us are getting old. I am 87 myself and remember those motorcycle days with a little shade of sadness. Only figures like Rob are helping really a lot to make us happy!

I do remember Rob’s father as well who was also a nice person. Therefore if you are kind enough to give Rob Edwards the best regards from old Alberto Mallofre, I will thank you very much. – Alberto Mallofre

Scott Rowland, British Sidecar Champion: Rob, I know that Dave Rowland had a lot of respect for you and I believe that was mutual. – Scott Rowland

And finally : 

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Rob’s Practice sessions:

Some photographs that Rob has unearthed after compiling this story, taken mostly by Rob in North Yorkshire, here are some interesting images of his friends training back in 1978. These photos have not been seen in public previously and show some factory riders on unfamiliar machinery.

Here is a photo taken by Rob in Barcelona at the Montesa Espluges factory gates. It shows his friend, former German Trials Champion, Felix Krahnstover practicing on his 348 Montesa, the factory is in the background.

Article from American ‘Trial Bike’ magazine:

More photos will be added in the section below as they become available.

Credits:

© – The Rob Edwards Story – Copyright Information:

© – Words: Rob Edwards & Trials Guru / Moffat Racing, John Moffat – 2016.

Photographic Copyrights & acknowledgements:

: Brian ‘Nick’ Nichols Collection – Mortons Motorcycle Media (Copyright – All Rights Reserved). Trials Guru has obtained direct permission from Mortons Motorcycle Media, Hornchurch for the use of the photograph from the ‘Nick Nicholls Collection’ in connection with this series of articles on Rob Edwards.

: John Hulme/Trials Media – photograph at Scott Re-Union Dinner 2014.

: Rob Edwards for various photos from his private collection including the 1964 photos of Loch Eild Path etc. – Brian Holder Photo.

: All Sport/Don Morley, Redhill, Reigate, Surrey – for permission to use the photograph of Peter ‘Jock’ Wilson for this article.

: Edinburgh & District Motor Club Ltd – for the use of various programme covers.

: Blackie Holden Junior – for the photo of Blackie Holden Snr in 1964.

: James Young, Armadale, West Lothian – for the 1963 (Cotton); 1980 (Ossa) & 1980 (Lane Leavitt, Montesa) photos

: Luis Munoz-Aycuens Ribas, Madrid – for the photos of Montesa trials school.

: Javier Cruz, Madrid – Photo of Montesa Cota 1971

: The British Historic Kart Club – for photo of historic ‘Blow Spitfire’ Kart with Montesa motor.

: Mrs Helen Thomson, Inverlochy, Fort William – for the photographs of Ali McDonald & Ron Thomson.

: Iain Lawrie, Kinlochleven, Argyll (All Rights Reserved) – Various photos of Rob Edwards.

: Neil Sturgeon, Darlington

: Peter Bremner, Inverness

: Barry Robinson, Ilkley.

: Mike Rapley, Carnforth.

: Eric Kitchen’s Photos are Worldwide copyright – Trials Guru has obtained direct permission from Mr. Kitchen for the use of his photographs in connection with this series of articles on Rob Edwards.

: Acknowledgement: Peter Bremner, Chairman Edinburgh & District Motor Club Ltd. – For Montesa Riders Photographs used in this article.

: Acknowledgement to Horacio San-Martin of the Todotrial website in Spain for identifying locations in Spain. This story is now available in the Spanish language exclusively on Todotrial in collaboration with Trials Guru: click … Here – In Spanish

: Mototrials.com – the website of the North American Trials Council for the photograph of Norval & Marilyn Wicker.

: With acknowledgement to Trials & Motocross News for the use of excerpts from their paper – Observed Section – Rob Edwards column.

: With acknowledgement to Trial Magazine UK/Classic Trial Magazine UK for their assistance with The Rob Edwards Story. Link to: Classic Trial Magazine

For similar stories from the world of trials on Trials Guru:

Gordon Jackson Story

Scottish Six Days Trial

Trials Guru Main INDEX

The Life and times of Rob Edwards in action:

A gallery of Rob’s own photographs

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ROB EDWARDS 1945 – 2019