The event has attracted entries from many great motorcyclists over the last 110 years. One legendary rider was Marjorie Cottle, who was one of Britain’s best-known motorcyclists in the 1920s and 1930s. Her greatest success was the International Six Days Trial of 1927, in which the British Ladies' Team won the International Silver Vase. That year the trial was held in Ambleside in the Lake District, and attracted a large number of competitors. Marjorie was described as the "most famous girl rider in the world" and she promoted the sport worldwide, particularly encouraging women to get involved.

One of the event’s most famous participants was undoubtedly the Hollywood actor Steve McQueen who – together with his friends Bud Ekins, Dave Ekins, Cliff Coleman and John Steen – represented the United States at the 1964 ISDT held in East Germany.

NEXT | Meet some of our people

 

Photos: Steve McQueen’s Driving Licence from the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) when he participated in the ISDT in 1964; During the 1964 ISDT, Steve McQueen enjoyed cups of tea with Team GB. In this image, he is pictured with the great Arthur Bates (kneeling in this photo) who went on to run the Welsh 2 Day Trial from his home town Rhayader.

Credits: FIM Archive and Malcolm Bates