trialwench

Trials Training Center THe entry forms are starting to trickle in for the Youth National and U.S. Women's Open. For those of you still needing entry forms, you can download them from the TTC website on the front page, scroll down to the bottom. (http:\\www.trialstrainingcenter.com) We have a week long Family Youth Camp planned this year with activities planned everyday for the whole family, starting on Sunday, June 27. I would really like to see the entry field for the Youth reach 100 this year and 40 for the Womens Open. So how about it!!

It's getting time to start thinking about the Youth Nationals and the U.S. Women's Open. The entry forms, schedule of events, rules, etc. are available at http://www.trialstrainingcenter.com. New this year, you can sign-up on line with Paypal. If you've been to the event before, a entry package is in the mail to you. The link is on the front page of TTC's website. A Family Youth Camp is in store for 2004. The camp runs from Sunday, June 27-July 4, 2004 (including the competition dates). A whole week of activities are planned for the entire family. We got a great schedule of trials schools, fun games for everyone, motorcycle games, Swimming Trip to Foster falls, Hayride, Ice Cream Social, cookouts, field trip to the TN Aquarium and more. The trials schools will be taught by the top PRO's and will be held each morning. Afternoon and evening activities are planned as well. TTC has cabins, RV hookups and a rental cottage available for weekly rentals that you will need to call right away to reserve one if you are wanting to go that route. There are also rooms available in the Lodge. We look forward to seeing everyone back who has attended before and hope to see alot of new faces this year. We have some class changes for this year. A "0" line will be added for the Youth Open Championship and Women's Expert Class. We also added a Women's Advanced class that will ride the "1" line. For an explanation of classes, check out the website and find the Rules forms. I believe we have an excellent schedule of events for 2004, so don't miss out! Thanks Laura Bussing Event Coordinator

I've competed in Europe 5 times. The first 4 were on my own dime, with a little help from a few supporters. The last one, was as a member of the 2002 TDN Team that was fully funded. 2001 we didn't get to go because of 9-11 The first european event I went to was in Italy in 1997. I was the only american. They treated me like I was royalty and gave me the #1 riding bib and starting time. When I stood on the starting stage and they announced my name, representing the United States of America, I rode off to Section 1 with a face full of tears. Words can't describe how proud and lucky I felt. The last one was as a member of the 02 TDN team. In the opening ceremonies when the whole team marched out carrying the american flag while our national anthem was being played, IS BY FAR, the most memorable, fantastic experience of my life. Tears streamed down my face as they had 5 years before . . . the effect didn't wear off. This is why a team from the USA goes . . .not because we're the best trials riders in the world, but because our country should ALWAYS be represented in international competition. The few; the proud. I guess I'm patriotic or whatever, but I just don't feel any negative ideas of whether or not to have a TDN team are warranted. I've had many young riders express to me that I have inspired them. I know the same is true for all the other top riders who've been selected for the TDN team. Dont' worry, it's worth it and keeps goals in the eyes of the young. Laura Bussing

On Monday, March 29th, following the Trials Training Days at TTC, there will be a fundraiser fun trial for the TDN Team. It will be styled as a PRO/AM Team Trial using the "Gatetrial" scoring method. There will be several teams captained by the top PRO's who will then choose their team. The team with the MOST points win! This has been done at TTC in the past during trials bike week and is alot of fun. A minimum contribution of $25/rider is the entry fee with all the proceeds going to the USA TDN Team. So plan on staying at TTC past the RYP sponsored Training Days to do this event. There will also be other events scheduled during the week prior to the TENNESSEE NATIONAL on April 3-4.

Just a reminder that the “Trials Training Days” is coming up March 27-28 at TTC. The deadline for pre-registration is MARCH 15. If you’re planning on attending, go to and fill out the on-line registration form and follow the submission directions. It should be a great weekend of “Round Robin” type training clinics taught by the majority of the U.S. PRO Riders. A BBQ Dinner is being provided for everyone on Saturday evening. We’re also hosting a USA Trials des Nations fundraiser on Monday, March 29. It will be a PRO/AM Team Trial using the “Gatetrial” scoring method, with all proceeds going to the TDN team. We’ve done this during Trials Bike Week before and it is really a fun way to compete. Hope to see everyone there and also at the National the following weekend. So come and hang-out, there’ll be plenty to do