HOT - That is the word this week - the only place to be is in an air conditioned room - car etc - but of course as I found out on Sunday - it was great driving home from Summerland with the A/C on - but when I finally stopped in Vernon at the grocery store & stepped out of the van in the parking lot - it was like being in a blast furnace - not good for old folks, easy to pass out.
Monday I unloaded the Beta & blew the dust off it - checked the air filter which was still clean ( maybe because I was in front most of the time) Taking the Velcro attached Jitsie seat off isn’t that easy - need to change that a bit.
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Checked all the nuts & bolts - including the rear bash plate ones - this is a must on all Trials bikes as they will vibrate loose. Most owners tend to miss checking these. - I remember years ago my Dentist - Neil Manderville (RIP) said he had a strange engine noise on his Beta. - When I started it and rode it around - yes for sure it sounded like main bearings had gone !! However on further inspection, I found the rear bash plate bolts hanging on by a couple of threads.
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Had a call from Sammy - he has been working in Golden - pouring concrete !! that must have been a bit warm !! - He tells me he is going to Sask & Manitoba in August, doing some schools - I explained that the only place for Trials in Sask is Moose Jaw - and Winnipeg in Manitoba. ( The rest is just stubble)
He was surprised when I told him that there was a World Round near Winnipeg in 1986 - run by the “Take Five” club ( now shut down) but as it was held in a mainly muskeg swamp, the Europeans didn’t like it much ( what are them flies?) - In fact some were reported as saying that they would never attend another World Round in Canada, if it was at that place. - ( I do have the VHS video I think Jordi won on the Beta) - maybe I will make Sam a copy of that.
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The Toronto Indy was held on the weekend - but I have seen absolutely nothing about it on either the news or FB. - Most of the media seem focused on Trump news.
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Did anybody see the video of Kuroyama on the TY E at the Electric French Trial - Jeez that thing sounds awful to my ears - I hate the little mini Trials bikes ( especially the Gassers) as the noise drives me nuts ( And I’m deaf) - But if that is what is coming down the pipe - Sorry boys but I won’t be promoting that.
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Looking back at our Sunday ride, I have to say that we are very fortunate living in the OK Valley - However, I also have to say that it took many years to explore and map out sections in the Summerland area dating back to 1987. - I still remember that first Trial, when Jimmy showed up with his buddy, and they had snowmobile tether switches on the TY 250 twin shocks - which they attached to their riding shirts !!! This resulted in a bunch of early “5″s as the body movements pulled the magnets off - Although we had a good laugh about this. Jimmy was actually ahead of his time with this idea.
Of course we ran the Outlaw Trial at this location for nearly 25 years, plus a couple of WTC Nationals - However, we now prefer to keep the area private for group rides - we are thinking of hosting one such event for September 2nd - Labor Day weekend - a “Remember Pete Brown” weekend. - We can show people the memorial plaque we put up on Devil’s Staircase . - More on this in the coming weeks.
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Thinking ahead, to how we promote Trials in Canada, is a bit perplexing - the latest World Trials. promote extreme obstacles with lots of hopping and bopping. - While some but not all younger riders seem to like this new riding technique - they are in the minority, when it comes to purchasing bikes ( usually Dad & Mum)
Trying to keep our sport attractive to the masses ( if that’s what is required to keep the factories going) - Is without a doubt a very big issue. - Most have turned to the more lucrative Enduro bikes - including Beta - who now sell only 11% of their total production to the Trials market. ( They still make very good Trials bikes)
On the other hand, many European Factories have no choice but to branch out, as sales off Trials bikes slow down. - We have to say that we hope Jordi Tarres and his TRS group, don’t decide to diversify as they have a winner in their approach to the Trials market.
On a personal note - having been involved in Canadian Trials since 1969 - I would like to say that we need to keep our events simple - most newbies are overwhelmed by the degree of difficulty. - The Outlaw Series is designed to show what the sport is all about, while still riding with a friendly group who explain the rules. ( I know I’ve mentioned this many times before)
Of course we also have Trials schools available - Our buddy Sammy King hosts a bunch of these. - Contact me for more info:
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This is the late Brian Pierson - North American Hillclimb Champion - the 900cc Kawasaki that he built will be ridden at the 100th Billings, Montana event later this month, by his son Aaron, who now runs the family business in Lethbridge.
And here is your Trials video for today - taken at the 2018 Manx 2 day. .> video
