With more than fifty years of riding under his belt, Roger Galpin is certainly considered one of the 'elder statesmen' of the sport in this state. We spend 5 minutes with Roger finding out about his passion for Moto-Trials...
The Essentials...
Born: Roger Galpin
Nickname: Galps
Age: 64 (50 years riding trials)
Lives: Ormeau, Qld
Club: Logan River Motorcycle Trials Club
What's in your CD player?
Dust
Maccas, KFC, or Subway?
KFC
First bike:
KSS 350cc Velocette
First trials bike (if different to first bike)?
Valon (Vale Onslow Special)
Face book page?
What's that?
Favourite Book:
Anything to do with bikes
Favourite Film:
Bond movies
Clothes brand:
Old...
Shoes:
Dusty and worn out
Toys:
That’s a bit personal!
TV show:
Naked News
Radio station:
Radio Caroline
Vehicle:
Morris 1000 Ute
Favourite Footy team:
Broncos
In your own words...
Full-time Pro, full-time worker or full time student?
Full time retired
How your 2010 season is going?
Fading
Who is your biggest rival and why?
Dan Gollagher, he beats and he’s 20 years younger
How did you go in the 2010 Qld Titles?
2nd Classic
How do you see the future of your trials career?
The sponsors are deserting me
What changes would you like to see to better trials in Australia?
Lessen the section severity and listen to what riders are suggesting, ie. No Spanish in Pre 65
Who do you look up to in Australian trials?
Chris Leighfield, I’ve known him for 50 years
What your training program?
Drink less the night before a trial
Who do you practice with?
Practice?????
What part of your riding you want to improve?
Exhaustion, muscle cramps and nausea
Do you ride every day or when do you ride?
Weekends only
What are your plans for the rest of the season?
To be “spotted” by Triumph
Do you lay out sections or free ride?
I never stop laying out sections
Who are your sponsors?
Shell & Burlen Carby’s although they probably don’t know it.
What is your present bike?
Triumph Tiger Cub & Scorpa SY200F
What have you done to it to improve it?
Keep it running and trim 30kgs off it
How do you keep your enthusiasm when riding bad?
I don’t
What surfaces do you like riding on the best and why?
Muddy banks and running water
What surfaces do you dislike to ride on, why and how do you cope for it?
Artificial man made stuff
Worst trials moment?
Coming 2nd in 2003 Aus Titles Classic
Worst trials crash?
Last week, bent my rear guard
Best competition result thus far?
2nd in Pommy open to Midland centre event
Where is your trial riding heaven?
Clee Hills in the snow (UK)
Do you use a trials push bike?
Why, they don’t have an engine
What interested do you have away from trials?
Is there anything else?
What do you feel makes a good minder?
Dennis Waterman
What do you like about trials compared to other motorcycle disciplines?
Its slow
Who is rider you admire from another disciplines?
Valentino Rossi
Any other disciplines you like to try?
Speedway
Have you ever or wish to do the SSDT?
Would love to do the Pre 65 Scottish
If you be or do something for a day, what would it be?
Invisible
Are you superstitious before an event?
No
What is an average seven days in your life?
Somewhere between 6 & 8
When we run out of fossil fuel what do you think the future trials bike will run on?
Electric
If you could change one rule in trials, what would it be?
Go back to non-stop events