jimg

What time are you thinking of riding...Morn or evening? I think my knee will allow me to do some light practicing now.

Glad you all enjoyed. Great Lakes Club Members put a lot of time into our events...especially Brian. We finally got to use some of the sections we always have to throw out due to rain. Looks like we were a bit too hard on intermediate though.

Consider resale value of the 08 vs the 09. Whenever you plan to sell the bike, the 09 should always off-set your initial %15 investment. As an owner of a 08 and 09 Beta, and to keep my opinion brief, the 09 is a much better competition bike and rides much better. You should try to ride each bike back to back and you'll see what I mean by it rides much better.

I don't see results yet...I'm anxiously awaiting! Link not working still?

Biff, thanks for the car pool invite. Time is my issue. Have fun!

Thanks for letting us know Sam. Sounds like fun...wish it was a bit closer for me.

Zippy, Good logic with the soft and "hard" tires, but the harder tires (Dunlop, IRC) seem to chunk off, especially riding on grippy rocks or in the cold. Where as the Michelin's seem to wear evenly in all conditions giving longer life. If I have to buy a tire I buy Dunlop because of the price and they are still a very, very good tire.

Go Team Michigan! I am surprised there isn't more chat about the MN National.

You'll never please all, but here are my comments: Is the two day format the way to go? I support the two day format for a couple locations each year. Trailloop length? I like it, it gives me time to vent after my 5's. But could see it being difficult for beginners. Difficulty of sections? Tougher? Easier? Pretty much spot on for experts. A 30-40 point is spot on for 1st place. With the nice terrain, too much hopping, especially on Sat. As Firstgear said 3 or 4 different spots in a section is too much, one or two spots is fine and should be expected. More big stuff for Adv- Experts? The big stuff that was there (including the big up's coming out of the river) was just right for me. Stay below 4' on drop-off for the sake of the bike. Since we typically don't have spotters, be careful on getting too big. No one got hurt so, I'd say right on par. Food concessions? Same as Zippy's comment. Don't know if you did, but providing your hard working checkers with a beverage, sandwich, and chips is nice. Cost of event-Camping and electric fees? Good Distance? Good

Thanks for mental boost guys with all the wheelchair jokes! Like firstgear said earlier in this thread...somewhere where we were actually discussing the Rose City event...."no one said trials riders were smart" (note: firstgear was only referring to me...thanks E.A.) gasgastim...better than elephant a$$ (E.A.) isn't it?

Just remember, we (MOTA) need to stick with the same rules as the NATC. MOTA has always been good at this, usually in exact line, but not always to the T. For example, when NATC went to the no-stop, and then back to the stop rule, MOTA did as well (same year)...etc. This year there are a couple minor variations between the NATC and MOTA rules, but they are for the most part, as I said minor. The MOTA organization (as far as I know) has always prided itself in promoting our top riders to compete and prepare to ride at the National level. If we don't ride by the same rules, it can really effect a riders place if he falls victim to a rules inconsistency between the organizations. Just ask Firstgear about the 5 he got in OH a couple years ago...he is still pi$$ed. For the past several years, MOTA has had several riders competing at the National level, and I don't think most MOTA riders know this. For myself I know I ridden over 60 Nationals and Firstgear has ridden almost as many. I wear my MOTA club shirt proudly at the Nationals...Oh my Beta shirt too!

Biff, thanks for the heads up. I'll have to play it by ear, I just want to go out and have some fun, so if I take some 5's to be safe, then so be it. Knee is feeling better and actually got out and rode for a little bit this past weekend for the first time since Whitmore Lk. See you Sunday.

Kjax, sounds good...we'll have to chat about doing some riding together. How about this...Make senior class actually a senior class. Is 40 years old really senior? I'd say bump it up to 50.

Off of the original topic, but since talking about the Sportsman line, I'd like to mention this....In my opinion; I think the Sportsman line should NOT be a separate line. Rather, be a combination of the harder Intermediate lines and the easier Advanced lines. In past years, several clubs did this, but somehow it disappeared. It makes laying out sections much easier and I believe would give the Sportsman rider a defining basis on the difficulty of the sections. Additionally, there are large levels of difficulty or "gaps" between the classes, especially Sportsman to Advanced and Advanced to Expert (just ask Zippy). I can think of several other benefits, so what do you think? Talk to your club president if you think this is a good idea and it can be proposed to the MOTA committee for change in 09.

Kjax, Like Scott said, try to ride all the Sportsman lines (a couple times each) at your event. Try to keep a mental score and you can project how many points you would end up with if you rode the event. This should put you in the "ballpark" to where you might end up in competition (if that concerns you). If you feel comfortable doing the bigger stuff and have the ambition, then give the Sportsman class a try. If we could ever find time to do some riding together, I might be able to give you some pointers to add to your talents

I was told the Rose City event will be expanding the riding grounds from last year. Last years event was great! The riding grounds are unlike any other event in MOTA's circuit and the club took advantage of laying out very nice sections (off-camber, side hills, river-beds) "old school" style. With the high gas prices the two day event is nice. Now, I just have to talk my knee into it. Can we arrive Friday evening with trailers?

I just bought a pair of replacement soles for my Garne boots. I took my boots into a Red Wing store where the owner has been in business for over 30 years. He said that he couldn't put the new soles on for me because he cannot find an adhesive strong enough. He said some adhesives may work for a little while, but won't last. He is known for doing top quality repair work for years, so I tend to believe him. This is as far as I've investigated so any advice? What adhesive or process is used to bond new soles?

You can gain a LOT by riding on the balls of your feet. Although moving (foward) to the arch of your foot to apply the break is necessary, learn to transition back and fourth to the ball of your foot when not on the break. It will come naturally and after awhile and you won't have to think about it. Not riding on the balls of your feet (for me) would be like taking the spring out of a pogo stick. Going too far back on the ball of your foot is no good...you don't want to ride on your toes. You should be able to find the "sweet" spot in one practice. Correctly adjusting the pedal is also important. I have noticed the riders who adjust their pedals far down are those that don't ride on the balls of their feet. I have an 08 Beta and the pedal is still factory set...it is about the same heigth as the foot peg.

Some of the sections will offer some bigger than usual obsticals for the exp and adv lines...weather permitting. But don't fear, we still expect all to be able to ride them and have fun. We expect a good turn out despite the threat of rain and hot weather.

There was an Air Show on Sunday causing the traffic pile up. There was an estimated 3/4 million people there to watch. The show was originally set for Saturday, but was postponed to Sunday...I think due to the weather (high winds). Lets remind the MOTA committee of this when we set the schedule for next year and avoid scheduling an event the same weekend as the air show. Great Event Windsor Club!

Hats off to Rusty. He is expected to ride his first event in several, several years. He's jumping right back into the expert class... right where he left off. I was told he should fit well within the pack of top riders. Should make for great competition in the class.

Scott, I didn't know you were going. You should have told me, we could of worked something out and made travel arrangements? Who is Paul?

Sam, do you have room for one more bike? I'm thinking of going to the CO national also. I have a couple more buddies that may go to. Do you split the gas proportionally for every bike you take...what amount ($) are you figuring? Thanks

Hay Biff, who are your travel partners? I'm heading down with 2 others and will be there Friday late morning. We are staying in Chattanooga.

Sounds great Sam! Will you have concessions? Just wondering for planning purposes.