THE 1974 SCOTTISH SIX DAYS ON "DIRT DIGGER"
THE 1974 SCOTTISH SIX DAYS ON "DIRT DIGGER"
Sunday morning in the Cattle Market
ANOTHER SPORTING HOLIDAY IN THE HIGHLANDS
Prompted by an e-mail and memories of long ago today’s story is from tales of daring do in the
midst of the Scottish Highlands.
midst of the Scottish Highlands.
Having ridden the 1970, 71 and 72 events and won the R A Castle Trophy and also the John
Bull Trophy for the Services Team I, for one, was somewhat annoyed when my entry was
returned marked “oversubscribed” ….as it transpires that was probably no bad thing as at the
time I was riding the SM Bultaco 325 in the Hi-Boy frame. Lovely to look at but a real pig to ride!
A bit like a trials version of a Harley Davidson.
Bull Trophy for the Services Team I, for one, was somewhat annoyed when my entry was
returned marked “oversubscribed” ….as it transpires that was probably no bad thing as at the
time I was riding the SM Bultaco 325 in the Hi-Boy frame. Lovely to look at but a real pig to ride!
A bit like a trials version of a Harley Davidson.
By now the “Superstar” has switched from Ossa and is going to debut the Yamaha in the SSDT
so worked on the principle “if it’s good enough for Mick it must be good enough for me” being a
loyal follower I ask if I can have one as well.
so worked on the principle “if it’s good enough for Mick it must be good enough for me” being a
loyal follower I ask if I can have one as well.
About a month before the Scottish Brian Leask of Husky fame tells me it is arriving at Heathrow
and they will deliver it to me at RAF Finningley just outside Doncaster. It duly arrives around bar
closing at 11 o’clock at night and I’m summoned from the bar to sign for it. Don’t know exactly
what was involved but 2 Husky mechanics have been building and prepping the beast coming up
the M1 in the transporter.
The following day it is fired up and seems pretty lively especially this new toy of “reed valve
induction”. The finish is really nice compared to its Spanish rivals but what’s with all this lighting
stuff? First thing of note, and of course they weren’t on sale to the public yet, was that the
“robotic welder” had missed the down tubes on the rear frame so an immediate fix required here.
Next take all the lights off and put her into real trials trim.
2 or 3 local trials to shake the beast down and see what comes loose or falls off. The only thing
that fell off was yours truly when crossing an adverse tree root on a very steep downhill in the
Buxton area. Wheel slips away and I land knee first on top of the new tank which immediately
dents! After the embarrassment I stood the bike up, measured it carefully, and gave it an almighty
wellie with my knee on the other side. It actually looked good as though it was a “waisted”
design like the later Majestys.
The Top End of Edramucky
I’m 53 this year and this is the first year of the “helmet” with all the misconceptions that were
involved back then. A fairly standard Day 1 with around 150 miles to Fort William. All I can recall
was that Edramucky was getting easier, and Town Hall Brae was harder thanks to the positioning
of the cards. Overall an easy day for me and no problems with the Yamaha which would do about
80 on the road! Now that’s impressive.
Day 2 so I’m right up front as the first 40 riders have gone to the back of the pack. Our first horror
was Callart which was 8 sections up a running river with all the boulders covered in green slime.
No traction, no cleans and an awful lot of energy wasted but at least we will be at the back
tomorrow and can have a lie in. Loch Eild Path, Blackwater, and Ghuanach Gorge complete the
26 morning sections in a 50 mile morning run to the lunch check at Spean Bridge. Well that was
horrid!
The afternoon has a relatively pleasant 75 mile run round the Highlands including the Corrieyairack
Pass where there was low cloud and snow on the ground. Also a lot of would be enduro men with
wheels out after hitting needle sharp pieces of granite at speed. The only section of the afternoon
was Laggan Locks and that is the most unpredictable section ever. Early or Late, it seems to
change, for better or worse, with the passing of every rider. As usual follow the Doctor’s advice
and “drink heavily”.
was Callart which was 8 sections up a running river with all the boulders covered in green slime.
No traction, no cleans and an awful lot of energy wasted but at least we will be at the back
tomorrow and can have a lie in. Loch Eild Path, Blackwater, and Ghuanach Gorge complete the
26 morning sections in a 50 mile morning run to the lunch check at Spean Bridge. Well that was
horrid!
The afternoon has a relatively pleasant 75 mile run round the Highlands including the Corrieyairack
Pass where there was low cloud and snow on the ground. Also a lot of would be enduro men with
wheels out after hitting needle sharp pieces of granite at speed. The only section of the afternoon
was Laggan Locks and that is the most unpredictable section ever. Early or Late, it seems to
change, for better or worse, with the passing of every rider. As usual follow the Doctor’s advice
and “drink heavily”.
A leisurely breakfast of “Mallaig” Kippers (hope my spellings OK) and a lot of coffee! They just
have to be the finest Kippers ever. Wednesday and still at the back so this should be a good day.
1 & 2 on the bottom of Ben Nevis
3 & 4 on Ben Nevis with a lot of "Body English"
Start at Ben Nevis and the lower sections all have a distinct line through them and are very much
to my liking. The upper ones are ‘king TOUGH!
Bradileig next for 10 sections of which I have no recall whatsoever. On to Coalasnacoan which
I always get through well and then a pleasant afternoon on Altnafeadh and my old friend Pipeline!
Another 2 cleans and a dismal spin to a stop 5 in the upper reaches of 3. Back to FW and Town
Hall Brae again with a big spectator turnout.
have to be the finest Kippers ever. Wednesday and still at the back so this should be a good day.
1 & 2 on the bottom of Ben Nevis
3 & 4 on Ben Nevis with a lot of "Body English"
Start at Ben Nevis and the lower sections all have a distinct line through them and are very much
to my liking. The upper ones are ‘king TOUGH!
Bradileig next for 10 sections of which I have no recall whatsoever. On to Coalasnacoan which
I always get through well and then a pleasant afternoon on Altnafeadh and my old friend Pipeline!
Another 2 cleans and a dismal spin to a stop 5 in the upper reaches of 3. Back to FW and Town
Hall Brae again with a big spectator turnout.
By now I’m getting used to this Jap machine and it does appear to be very well built and goes
like a rocket. The official advice is to drop the choke at speed and then ride through the splutters
until it clears. That’s fine until you forget and slow for a bend and then get that awful buuuuurrrrrr
when you open up again and the mind immediately thinks ****!
Plug? Out of fuel? Seize? Ignition????? But onward Sir Antony the faithful steed is good and
damm these DID wheels are still round!
like a rocket. The official advice is to drop the choke at speed and then ride through the splutters
until it clears. That’s fine until you forget and slow for a bend and then get that awful buuuuurrrrrr
when you open up again and the mind immediately thinks ****!
Plug? Out of fuel? Seize? Ignition????? But onward Sir Antony the faithful steed is good and
damm these DID wheels are still round!
The Big Dab on Camp
Thursday and as always one of my favorites, just 111 miles of nice motoring be it on a trials or
road bike you are going to enjoy it. More of those Kippers , change the rear tire, and notice Mister
Yamaha’s fiberglass bashplate is coming to bits as the front eyelets are rotating in the plate and
it makes a lot of noise. 2 penny washers soon fix that. Just 8 sections this morning on the run
out to Kinlochmoidart. Camp Hill, Ravine and Bay Hill and apart from this amazing DAB I think I
cleaned the rest. Back the other way and Devil’s Staircase, down Bay Hill, Glenuig, Schoolhouse,
and another 4 at Camp Hill then the ride home around the Loch. FABULOUS! ….. and then more
of Ben Nevis and they seem to have got a lot more difficult or maybe distance and drinking are
taking their toll.
Is this McEwans Heavy/ Export/ Special ?
Friday and a double loop around Kinlochleven, Lieter Bo Fionn, Martium and Cnoc a Linne for the
morning and then Mamore, the ascent into heaven up Callich back to Sleu something and then
Town Hall Brae for the last time of the week.
On the Way Home.... Hey, there are Tools in here!
Now its day 6 so just get it back to Edinburgh. Callart again, did we ride these before? Pipeline
again, (same result) and 8 on Achallader to realistically finish the event. After lunch it’s the 91
miles of roadwork to the old finish at Blackford Hill. With still round wheels and Yammie nicely
run-in time to stop at a gas station and borrow their hose. Duly washed and wiped down the
gleaming new boy from Japan arrives at the finish and I now have trouble convincing the officials
I HAVE RIDDEN this bike for 6 DAYS!
again, (same result) and 8 on Achallader to realistically finish the event. After lunch it’s the 91
miles of roadwork to the old finish at Blackford Hill. With still round wheels and Yammie nicely
run-in time to stop at a gas station and borrow their hose. Duly washed and wiped down the
gleaming new boy from Japan arrives at the finish and I now have trouble convincing the officials
I HAVE RIDDEN this bike for 6 DAYS!
TONY DOWN prompted by a memory from “BIG JOHN” John Moffat
Comments