Easter is the traditional end to the New Zealand summer and often a Trial takes place somewhere in the country . It ’ s not the Nationals , not the Kaikoura Three Day < read about that here > and it ’ s definitely not the Trans-Tasman Series . All lofty Moto Trials events , but nothing compared to the highenergy fuelled genre that is Twin Shock Trials ; competed for by those predominately in their twilight years , ranging from the ‘ young ’ in their 50s , the seasoned competitors in their 60s , and experienced in their 70s and the utterly foolish ( heroes to most ) in their 80s .
RETRO RESURGENCE Twin Shock Trials has been making a resurgence over the last couple of years , with enthusiastic riders country-wide dragging the old TYs , Bullys ( Bultacos ), Ossas and Montesas out of their sheds , tidying them up and getting in a little practice at old-school bike events
that have been put on for them . Waikato , Bay of Plenty , Manawatu , Wellington , Blenheim and Christchurch regions are all active hubs of twinshock riding . Back in 2006 Kaikoura hosted a Past Masters class with several ex-riders enjoying the competition , and so , with Christchurch regularly attracting more than other centres , we decided to stage the reunion near there .
SIMPLE FORMAT FOR FUN Kerry and Joan Miles hosted this first Twin Shock Reunion Trials at their Rangiora property and promised two days of intense hilarity , extreme fun and over the top BS . And boy , did the BS flow ! The format was simple . Those camping arrived Friday afternoon and set up in the Miles ’ front yard . Friday evening was a feast of cuisine at the local Pizza Restaurant . Saturday , a Twin Shock Trial was marked out by Kerry and
Left : Warwick Merriman , Montessa 200 . Right : Peter Osborne . Previous pages : Kevin Tither , Kawasaki .
40 KIWI RIDER