Andy

Whyfor? We don't bite! I had a ball last year in Duluth finally putting some faces to names and this year was just the same. In a way last year was better as we were all staying on the campsite and there was no shortage of guys coming round to have a beer and "shoot the s***". However, it was fun nonetheless (apart from Al's apple poison - though Kinell seemed to enjoy it!) Thank God he wasn't there for the moonshine!

That's not finalised yet, but for ease of setting things up as regards marquee, security fencing and having use of official security it will probably be near the official beer tent. They're restricted by licencing laws and will have to close at 11pm. As we're a private party and not selling alcohol, we're not subject to such restrictions.

With the World round at Hawkstone looming on the horizon and the success of our get-together last year, planning is underway for similar this year. The way things are shaping is: * We'll again have a tent - bigger this year. * We'll again be running big screen Trials DVD's (great for keeping the kids amused!) * We'll again have a barbecue on-site. Bring your own food for that. * We'll again have LIMITED free drinks. Do bring your own. I've been doing some planning with the organisers. They back this totally and have offered their support. It's a great chance for folk of a like mind to get together and meet and have fun. Last year was fantastic with a great turnout and feedback from it was really good. There were a couple of spoilers with non Trials Central folk turning up and freeloading the free drink and the odd idiot trying to steal, but other than that it was a great weekend. This year, to ensure it is Trials Central folk who attend, the plan is to have a properly fenced off area with admittance by wristband only. Entry will be totally free, but will be to pre-registered Trials Central users only and their families/friends or to people I know personally. To judge potential attendance, please note interest by replying to this topic including the likely number in your party. If you're not registered on these forums, but are someone I know then please contact me - email website AT trialscentral.com with details. If you're not registered and I don't know you then it's unlikely you will get wristbands unless someone I do know can vouch for you. Any business willing to contribute to the free beer fund is guaranteed both admittance and substantial publicity on Trials Central

I heard it mentioned a few times too.

The key word there is "profits". Trialsphotos runs on a bought package that's been heavily customised by me. The cost of that package was

What Bikespace said. Dougie made it on his own. Dabill and Brownie have potential and are working hard at it. Wiggy and Ross are making inroads. I've seen the factory guys come to the press room and ask for Youth and Junior Championship results as well as World class so they're watching what's going on.

Alexz has his feet firmly on the ground. What you read on Trials Central is his press machine. It is not his words. He's one of the most down to earth guys I've met and makes no pretences about his abilities. Profit? You think I make a profit out of this? Hahahahahaha. I'd love to, but you're sadly mistaken if you think that's the case. I lose money big time on Trials Central. If you think I'm making money out of this game then you're living on another planet. I don't see the Trials Central Supporter logo under your username which, given the above, means you're expecting return with zero investment? I'd do it, but how do you propose I raise the funds to do it? ( You have heard about it before. You just obviously weren't paying attention. Trials Central haven't directly sponsored Ross Danby. As was stated previously, private parties have sponsored Ross in the name of Trials Central. It works for them as they get publicity via the site and it works for me with him having TC stickers on his bike. With Alexz, I host his website. It's not much, but it does mean he has a few quid more to spend on getting to events and he's appreciative of that - as both he and Ross are of all those who look after them Would I invest in Chris Stay right now? No. Because your attitude towards things isn't in the spirit of the sport. You're putting great riders down for no reason other than they have my support and your lad doesn't. That's not fair on Chris, is it?

Can you help with my overwhelming urge to listen to Country music and say "y'all"? It gets to you y'know.

WTF is 300 euro-dollars? "from what I heard" counts for diddly-squat. From the FIM rules: 052.9.4 Yellow Cards Each Chief Section Observer shall be issued with a "Yellow Card". The "card" shall be A6 in size (to fit into a pocket) and made of a rigid material (cardboardor plastic). Any rider or mechanic who refuses to obey the instructions of an Observer, who behaves in a disorderly manner within a section shall be shown the Yellow Card. The issuing of a yellow card is a statement of fact and therefore no claim can be received in conformity with Art. 4.1 of the FIM Disciplinary and Arbitration Code. The Observer shall then complete a copy of the

Okay Alan - I'll bite. What's your issue? We gave your youth Trial major coverage at the expense of those who attended. You seem unwilling to give those youth riders who succeed any credit for what they do - or any compliments you do give are backhanded ones. What's the problem? Shouldn't you be happy these guys are doing well? Do you think Trials Central should be pumping loads of cash into your lad? Where's the issue?

Trials Central back no individual rider. Where you got that from I don't know. If you look at the photos you'll see that both Alexz and Ross have Trials Central stickers on their bikes - and I was extremely pleased and proud to see them there. They are both supported, but in different ways. I'd support both (and others) a helluva lot more if it were possible, but there's no favouritism in my camp.

Agreed. Oliver is great to watch on that little bike. I wish now I'd got a bit of video, but I only popped in to see Ian once and didn't have the camera with me.

Knock a marker, red or blue and it's a 5.

You need to get your minders more involved too. Calling out time remaining and saying "You're doing great" when the rider is paddling his way up the section in a Kinell style ride in a vain attempt to get out for a 3 isn't minding. A number of people asked me about Michael Brown's minder and commented on how good he is. Apart from being a total Sex God in the world of Trials he is actually (as much as it pains me to admit it!) bloody good at what he does. Very much a Martin Lampkin style of minding. Apart from being on top of time, he's right there, he knows the line, he's calling position, he's calling encouragement. They're a team. I didn't see that with the US guys.

I'd like to add my thanks to a few individuals who helped us out Whoever it was that lent us the 4x4's. For getting a bunch of us around and keeping ahead of the riders, they were ideal. The girl (can't remember name) who looked after us in the RV. The results thing was a bit of a mess, but we muddled through The computer bloke who ran around sorting wireless out. The lovely Tessi and Jazz (Don't have a photo of her. She was otherwise engaged apparently ) from Tennessee Outdoors for letting us use one of their RV's as a press room. (I promised them a bit of free publicity!) Jean from Montesa for feeding us well. Al B and all the guys I met for their good ole Southern hospitality. Cactus juice, yes. Moonshine, no!

I like this thread. Made it a sticky.

I saw her have a tantrum after being (correctly) fived for going back through another route markers at section 10 on Saturday. However, I saw Bou get away with doing exactly the same thing on the same day at section 15. I believe Dan witnessed that one too.

Jake and I proved, beyond any doubt, that Craig is the easiest guy in the world to wind up. He bites every single time!

Not necessary. Not all results count. The Championship consists of the best ten results from each rider.

We don't get mobile signal at the TTC, but phones worl in the "town" where we're staying. He should get it later. I thought it absolutely deplorable that the commentator announced Wiggy in third place on his first ever World win.

None of them! I was having a siesta

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