ISDT History: OFF ROAD REVUe by Deryk Wylde

One of our favourite and most helpful ISDT sources of original history of the event is the legendary Deryk Wylde. He knows because, as Max Boyce would say, “Because he was there”. Deryck holds a considerable original archive of images and experiences but rather than keep them gathering dust in his mind is keen to share them. Already he has passed onto us the original Clerk of Course and course markers maps for the post war Welsh ISDT events. We also frequently get source material from Deryck who writes regularly of the popular feet up trials centric ‘Trials Central‘ Website which also is a good source of ISDT material.

Deryck has a long history with journalism and has entered the world of e-publishing making his ‘Off Road Revue’ magazine now as an e-publication available from Trials Central for a very reasonable subscription fee ( we’ve already coughed up the dough its such good value). We are very keen that everyone not familiar with Trials Central gets the chance to catch up with this important magazine.

image – OFF ROAD REVUe issue 12 front cover

image – OFF ROAD REVUe issue 12 – editorial

image – OFF ROAD REVUe issue 12 – History ISDT Pt 2

OFF-ROAD REVUe is a digital e-Magazine created by Deryk Wylde, author of the original highly-popular Off Road Review magazines that were compulsive reading back in their day. Access to OFF ROAD REVUe does require a subscription, priced at just £12 per year or the discounted price of £10 a year for paid-up Trials Central Supporters. Trials central can be accessed at “www.trialscentral.com” and ORRe via the button at top right on the home page.

ORRe requires a relatively modern web browser to enjoy the full functionality. To ensure you meet these requirements, check out our sample edition here. If it works, you’re good to go! To sign up, just click here.  Another unique feature – when you sign up you instantly get access to ALL the back issues PLUS the next year’s issues – REAL VALUE FOR MONEY – and access to many photographs never published before from Deryk’s 30,000+ archive of images.

OFF ROAD REVUe is EXCLUSIVE to Trials Central. Poor copies published elsewhere are unauthorised and are in breach of Deryk’s copyright.

ISSUES INDEX

ISSUE 12	In this issue we take a reflective look at the ISDT up to the 1950 event, plus a feature on the machines in use at the 1979 Northern Experts trial. There is also a reference photograph of a 1981 works prototypeMontesa. ​  The major contribution in this issue is the continuation of the development story of the rigid AJS/Matchless competition machines – to the best of our knowledge the most comprehensive detail ever published.”
ISSUE 11	In Issue 11 we continue our story of the First Hundred Years of the Scott Trial and start a new series analysing in detail the development of the AJS and Matchless Competition Machines. We also have an illustrated feature of a uniquemonoshock BSA Gold Starscrambler, and a unique photograph of the very first development175cc BSA Bantam in action and with the story of the Sammy Miller trials series continuing we also take a look back at the trials scene in the Welsh valleys, including details of the super-sporting Mitchell trial.
ISSUE 10	Issue ten continues our story of the ‘First Hundred Years of the Scott Trial’.  Following our look at Rob Shepherd trying Mick Grant’s little Drayton Bantam we include a photo report from Barry Robinson of Rob’s first practice session on his own new Drayton Bantam.We start a new series, analysing the history of the International Six Days Trial, fully illustrated and, as the story develops we have unearthed archive photographs never previously published.  The story of the early years of the Sammy Miller series continues, again with many images seen for the first time – and a glimpse of what may well have been the first ever monoshock model seen in offroad competition – which will be featured in a full report in issue 11.
ISSUE NINE	In this issue we feature a rare machine, the Royal Enfield ISDT Bullet – normally Redditch offered Meteor twins – plus exclusive images of a brand new Mini-Otter.  We continue the story of the past hundred years of the Scott Trial and include a feature of the Celebrations at the Start of the 2014 event, we have a comprehensive analysis of the post-War Ariel competition models, a further look at the continuing story of the Sammy Miller Series plus the continuation of the serialised version of ‘Lochaber Rich Mixture’.​
ISSUE EIGHT	In Issue eight we take a first look at the Sammy Miller Trials Championship, which will be explored in full detail in forthcoming issues, we continue the serialisation of the Scottish Six Days Trial fully illustrated history and also the Scott Trial, as the Centenary approaches. Don Morley gives details of a Lost BSA Works 250 – with a twin-cylinder motor, no less – and we have details of a unique space-age framed Scorpion trials model plus a test of a current Drayton Bantam trials model.
ISSUE SEVEN	In issue seven ofORRe we continue our detailed look at the most famous of Trials, the Scottish Six Days and the Scott Trial over the years and also start a new series of features on sidecar Trials through the years. The troubled story of Dennis Jones, who rode Suzuki and Sprite works trials machines to considerable success in his day, is told and finally we answer the question: “When was Grey Mare’s Ridge first used as a section in theSSDT?”​
ISSUE SIX	In this issue we profile two characters who have contributed in different ways to motorcycle sport over the years.  Ian Pollock, theLochaber man who found many of the popularSSDT sections and Don Evans who rode works RoyalEnfields to many successes in the post-war years, including six national trials, four ISDT gold medals as well as representing Great Britain in theMoto-Cross des Nations. We continue the illustrated histories of the Scott Trial and theSSDT, look at some interestingly different machinery inKinlochleven – and follow that with details of two machines never described in publications before, a 250cc rigid Royal Enfield trials model and a revolutionary single-cylinder two-stroke 300cc Scott.
ISSUE FIVE	With 51 pages in this latest issue including, as usual, many never seen before photos, Issue Five takes a look at the life of all-rounder Dai Jeremiah, we have a new feature on some of the more famous sections of the Scottish Six Days Trial, our serialisation of theLochaber Rich Mixture book continues and with the Scott Trial Centenary getting ever closer we continue our history of this famous Trial. We also look at some of the more interesting machines spotted at the Scottish Pre-65 Trial over the years and review the 45 year riding career of GordonAdsett.
ISSUE FOUR	With 52 pages of Classic goodness, Issue four takes an extensive look at the Saracenmarque, we continue our serialisation of theLochaber Rich Mixture book, we look at the history of Cotton Motorcycles and, of course, we continue our history of the famous Scott Trial in the build-up to this year’s centenary event – all accompanied by many exclusive and never seen before photos.
ISSUE THREE	In this bigger 50 page issueDeryk pays tribute to the late Dave Bickers, we continue the serialisation of the popularLochaber Rich Mixture book, we take a look at the life and career of Eric Cheney and, of course, we continue our series on the history of the famous Scott Trial in the run-up to this year’s centenary.
ISSUE TWO	In Issue Two of OFF ROAD REVUe we take a look back at the British Experts Trial in the 1970’s, the serialisation of theLochaber Rich Mixture book continues, we look back at the history of the Greevesmarque, memories from the Scottish Pre-65 Trial and we continue our history of the famous Scott Trial as it approachesit’s centenary.
ISSUE ONE	In the 40 pages of this opening issue you will find features on Mr. Telford – Alan Wright, Personalities of theSSDT takes a look back at Bob Paterson, we start a series of articles on the famous Scott Trial in the run-up to this year’s centenary Trial, Don Morley’sTalmag Trial reflections, our first excerpt from the notedLochaber Rich Mixture book, which will be serialised though future issues, a look back at the 2013Reeth Three Day Trial and much more!