page 18 2014 Pere Pi exclusive interview
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I take one designer to my house in the night after Montesa and he help me make the design of the bike. We then go to the workshop to make the toolings and production start. We assemble with a chain of production in Montesa, Esplugues factory. We assemble here. Here is small house and the factory is here.
The development department is here. Here is a testing track and we assemble here. Here is some small apartment. I remember the riders of the world trial come here including Vesterenan, Rathmell and everyone come and we say please test these bikes and we have good talking about these bikes. Oh nice, super, very good. Then we produce this bike. After this first step was the time when I see other things for the rest of my life career. Someone tell me, have you seen this boy in Sant Feliu de Codines. This boy does incredible things on a cycle. I say, please bring him here. This is Andreu Codina.
2014 Pere Pi Interview www.retrotrials.com
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2014 Pere Pi Interview www.retrotrials.com
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2014 Pere Pi Interview www.retrotrials.com
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2014 Pere Pi Interview www.retrotrials.com
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This is a photo of Andreu Codina actually testing the Montesita inside the factory.
He come here and tests the new bike. All the design I make already exist on the cycle that Andreu ride already. The bike he rides was called the Figueras. I didn’t know that the changes I make are the good changes I only use OT to test. Then Andreu come here and he test and say the cycle needs to be a little bit longer. I say “no problem, I make one a little bit longer “. I visit the Figueras shop and show them my bike. I speak with them and they are happy if Andreu comes with me and rides with the Montesa cycle. |
At this time the father of Andreu is just died some months before. Andreu then come with us and travelling all over Europe and make shows in all these places in England. We go together around Europe in my car with my wife and son Ot. Also some time Andreu go alone. My son just begin and we go around Europe. First we go to show the bike. In Jim Sandiford’s parts department was a man called Mr Stringer. I don’t know why but Jim say to Mr Stringer “It’s your job to organise a competition and this and that “. Through Stringer we make a competition in Gloucester or Wiltshire. We compete in Trentham.
A great photo of the 1982 Trialsin Team many of who travelled up in the bus from Spain and other parts of Europe. To the left in the chequered shirt in James (Jim) Sandiford . On the front row is Andreu Codina , Jordi Tarres and Martin Sandiford. To the right of the photo with the Montesa short top is Ot Pi and his mother Maria to the right also.
2014 Pere Pi Interview www.retrotrials.com
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Typical area of water and slippery rocks in Heywood (Great Britain) at the Trialsín European Cup 1984.
2014 Pere Pi Interview www.retrotrials.com
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You have done so much I don't know when to start one of my favourite parts of your career has been with the trialsin and you taking the children around on these large trips it was incredible. Did any of the children break their arms or legs you have such a great responsibility to look after them all.
No, luckily nobody break any bones But many many stories this will be another book has ha ha. I remember we stayed in Germany in the Heidelberg. We stayed in the mountain in an area known for camping and there were many places to practice and competitions also. I remember that in the night at 8 o’clock or maybe 10 o’clock, the boys sneak out of the camp site and they get a bus.
No, luckily nobody break any bones But many many stories this will be another book has ha ha. I remember we stayed in Germany in the Heidelberg. We stayed in the mountain in an area known for camping and there were many places to practice and competitions also. I remember that in the night at 8 o’clock or maybe 10 o’clock, the boys sneak out of the camp site and they get a bus.
The Trialsin competitions were run very affordably so there was no expensive hotels for everyone. It was nights under the canvas. I'd imagine it was pretty cold in Northern Europe for the young riders used to the warmer climates.
2014 Pere Pi Interview www.retrotrials.com
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2014 Pere Pi Interview www.retrotrials.com
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After some minutes they stop the bus and they go into the city. They take the bus to the city. There were 200 boys riding the competitions in all of the countries. At this time we have 50 boys. So 50 boys leave the camp site and get on the bus and go to the city in the night. The police stop the boys and none of the boys speak German. The police say ‘why are you here' 'where are your parents '? The boys no understand but they say 'we are here for trial'. The police of course we're not happy with this as they no nothing about this. They collect all of the boys and place them in many police vans. They bring them to us back at the camp site and they all arrive back with us. I said to them! “What happened?” They say “Oh, we go to visit the city “. Many many many years of camping with so many boys I remember maybe 12 years or more. It was good fun.
2014 Pere Pi Interview www.retrotrials.com
We do this for the summer holidays always. We have the competitions and decide to make these at a time when the boys were on holiday from the school. They use this holiday time to travel around the world and make three competitions.
We first make the European cup in Spain as well as Germany and Belgium. This was always in the summer. Then the next year we make it four countries. Then the following year we go really crazy and we make 7 different trials in several different countries. It takes much organisation. We were crazy. We make competition in Spain, France, Italy, Austria, Belgium, Germany and England. We were very tired because we go no stop to fit all of these competitions into the same holiday.
We first make the European cup in Spain as well as Germany and Belgium. This was always in the summer. Then the next year we make it four countries. Then the following year we go really crazy and we make 7 different trials in several different countries. It takes much organisation. We were crazy. We make competition in Spain, France, Italy, Austria, Belgium, Germany and England. We were very tired because we go no stop to fit all of these competitions into the same holiday.