steve fracy

I'd say he missed two sections somehow. Happened to me the year I rode. went from 55th to 110th in one dis-heartening swoop! Hey HL, anyway if you can tell me if a Craig Comer, rider #176 is from Sommerset England area??? I saw a pic of him from Andy's shots. He looks a lot like a bloke who came over here in the late 80's to ride US Nationals( but mostly lay in the sun and party). Haven't ever heard much from him since he was deported from the US. Cheers, Steve

I'll try again after responding on this thread and it ending up on another one. Lane, pretty soon all you guys will be moving to Canada, the last frontier! Cheers, steve

Lane: With that analogy, pretty soon all you guys will be moving to Canada, the last frontier! Steve

If you go to www.tryalsshop.com the US Scorpa importer has a link of a video of some guys riding the new 4stroke

Al: Although I do understand why you would have some doubts about statements made, I have to say that in my experience, the general media, not the motorcycle media, does not perceive mistakes like this as pertinent to there story. I would have to give Lane the benefit of the doubt here if it were me. I have been fortunate enough in my younger years to get quite a bit of coverage in my local media with lots of TV interviews. When watching them years later now, some of the content is very questionable as far as the accuraccy goes! I once did a bike show in Manitoba in the 80's with an old friend of mine Stan Bakgaard. When we arrived to do the show, we were informed that the local media had been given a press release informing them that myself and Stan were bitter enemies. I was touted as the Canadian Outdoor Champion, and Stan the Canadian Indoor champion, and that this competition was going to declare an outright champion(even though it was indoor). It also went on to say that we hated each other and it was very WWF like. We were both briefed of this while being driven to the convention center from the airport. We both refused to partake in the shananagins. It is just an example of how the things can be twisted to sell a story! Sorry but, I would have to side with Lane on this one. If it had quoted Lane, then that would be a different story! Steve

Just a traditionalist, like a nice set of Renthals with crossbar

This weekend marks the start of the 2006 Outlaw Trials Series in Shawnigan Lake BC- Canada. This is the PREMIER trials series in Canada for twinshock and moderns trials! Round 1 is the Joe Brown Memorial Trial, held in honour of Joe Brown, a longtime Yamaha dealer on Vancouver Island. He was a longtime supporter of trials and also the very first sponsor of yours truly! He still holds the record of the most trials bikes sold by any dealer in North America.Back in the late 70's he sold over 250 TY's in one year! Joe was taken way too early from us 7rs ago by cancer and this is our way of remembering him and keeping his spirit about this great sport alive! Saturday will be the twinshock trial offering both and A and a B line. Later in the afternoon we will have a Youth trial which will be spectated by everyone.Sunday is a full on modern trial. Lots of out of town rider's for this one. Outlaw Dave who is a regular contributor on these boards will be in attendance and always promises to have some fantastic photos. Results of Saturday will be posted on Sat evening! cheers, Steve

Lane: I am well aware of your proposal and the beginning of the year! If you remember I posted you a long reply after that encouraging you to stick with it because I felt the proposal was very close to being accepted, perhaps next season. Al B. I guess we have to dis-agree about the 125 class. I beleive that bringing the kids along on 125's first, before advancing to the big bikes, will actually HELP build there skills and in the long run will make them BETTER riders. If you watch the style that the Euros ride, they generally use WAY more throttle when attacking big obstacles. This all stems from HAVING to ride that way to make the little 125 do some amazing things.It's more of a natural step, and their style does not change, just the height of the obstacle! That being said, I also believe that James Lampkins comments about rider's in general in the US(and Canada) spend too much time concentrating on hopping and slingshotting at obstacles, and don't ever learn the basics properly! Cheers, Steve PS. Sorry Sam, who would have thought that this thread about Lance would have gone this way?

Ken: I understand where you are coming from in many respects. My son is also an up an coming rider that will be a force to be reckoned with, and although I'm in Canada we face some of the same challenges as you guys.It is a fact right now though that if he really wanted to be World Champion, and I stress the HE, we would undoubtedly move to Europe. I believe that the answer is to approach the problem from both ends. Guys must go to Europe, and in turn small adjustments must be made to a program that brings the young kids up.Somewhere in the middle a Champion could be born! One thing sounds to me that most people around North America with young rider's believe the first step needs to be a compliance with the 125cc rule.I also believe that those of us who do believe this need to be persistent and lobby the NATC and the new US Trials Assoc to have it put in place. I think you'll find the most common and just complaint about Lane is that he does have some good ideas, he is in a good position to make a difference, but by and large he only tries to do so by writing about it on these boards.I really believe he has the means to make a difference in doing what he talks about, but so far nothing! Cheers, Steve

Ok, I think we're onto something here! The winner (loosely termed) will get one of those WWF style belts. Can also be used as a kidney belt later!

Andy: Where are the piccys and video of you lot performing then?

Copemech: Look, I know I'm not supposed to mess with Texas, but you've crossed the line! White and pale, I resemble that remark! Actually having my own blog would be much easier that answering the endless amount of email from Ringo on how to really PARTY Besides, if you Americans ever found out how Nirvana like it is up here, we'd be over populated in no time! Say hi to all my old Texan friends! Especially El Hombre.............Danny! cheers, Steve

nsaqam: Don't take offense to my post about being new! I was simply trying to shed some humour on the fact that I knew Lane was going to have to tell you a story we have all heard many times before. Yes, he does have some great points and ideas.We actually share a lot of the same theories on things. But, so far, there has been not too much ACTION. Just ideas. Maybe you will be one of the people to lead a new charge and make some change for the better. Cheers, Steve

Well that's it then! If Lane can get his own blog, then I want one too Andy It's only fair then. Steve

Hey Lee: YOu defenitley seem like a Fantic fanatic! I'm looking for an old pair of the Brema FanticMotor pants circa 82/83. Know anyone who would have some of those? cheers, Steve

Your new here aren't you??? Andy, have you got that new topic ready yet?

Better yet, an American term........." The Bullpen"

Excited as I am about a new Fantic like many others, I will be sorely disappointed if any new bike incorporates a cheap knock of import engine. Stick with what Fantic built there reputation on! Italian engine, and stay with it's trademark forward kick too!

Heath: Thanks so much for that mate! Brilliant! Cheers , Steve

Great story Tom about the Hayden's and Shwantz! I have always been under the impression that Kevin started out riding trials bikes before he ever became a world champion road racer. If you go to the TTC website there is a few pics of him riding there fairly recently too. About Lance! After watching him over the last few years in the Tour de France, he is in my mind THE greatest athlete of our time! I've also watched on OLN a really good biography on him and his training regime leading up to the Tour. This guy is an animal and his focus and determination is unmatched! I also understand that he has a house (one of many) in Spain fairly close to the GG factory and has actually watched Raga and company train there for the last couple of years. Due to restrictions from sponsors and managers etc he was unable to partake himself until now being retired from cycling! It would be great to take him out riding sometime hey??? Cheers, Steve

I don't think it really matters 2T or 4T! I love my 2stroke, and I have ridden all of the new 4T's. For me, even though the 4T's are really cool bikes and I like them, but, they are not better than the 2strokes! My big beef with these new bikes is this! I think it's a joke that they are priced so much higher than the 2strokes. You can't logically argue with me that it cost a company like Honda (which only, or predominantly produces 4t's)more money to produce a 4T engine compared to a 2stroke! But, in the end right now any way it doesn't matter. If you like your 4T that is great because it's all about enjoying your bike and everytime you ride. I prefer my 2stroke too.If and when I beleive that one of the 4T's is better or an advantage I will happily buy one too! Cheers, Steve

Hey Mate: Just went down to the shop and measured the shocks on my 83 240 Fantic which has the stock Marzocchi's on it.( Which are very good in my opinion) They measure 14inches from eye to eye! Can't help you on the clutch question though! Cheers, Steve

Ish: So that opens up the following weekend to come up to the rock then eh? Ps It would seem to the untrained eye, that if one is to attempt the SSDT, training the liver is as important as training the rest of your body! Steve