An eventful PST Deer Flats trial 5/3/09

Quite an eventful trial for a good number of people.

-First time Dean rode a trial in 25 years, AND the first time I'd seen Curt L. AND Allan T. (he's had a top 7 ride in the Champ class at a national, "back in the day") since 25 years ago (but I've been out of the sport a long time.) Dean was ultra-excited after the trial.

-Local trials can no longer be considered a low-tech sport, as Curt and his buddy had on-helmet INTERCOM systems to talk to each other with, just like the pros started doing last year or so.

-Incredible weather. No wind, no rain, not too hot, not too cold.

-Highest turnout in a long time for a local trial (we're doing something right, that's for sure.)

-The most challenging sections I've personally seen in a PST or PNTA event, at least in a couple of the classes.

-The most time-penalty points I've ever seen, anywhere. (Keeps us on our toes!) Allegedly, half of the Expert class finished on the last MINUTE of eligibility...one minute later and DNF for half the class. Another example: Dean asked me how much time was left, and I looked at my count-down and told him "ten minutes left"....I thought he might fall over from the shock, since he was only on his second loop at the time.

-Our first Champ class at a local trial in a long time. Max N. is the best rider to ride in a local PST event in many many years? When you travel north from another state to attend a LOCAL trial, dominated the last PNTA points event - he won by what, 60 points in Oregon?, and bring your own minder to shout out instructions as to where to hop your back wheel, and you just recently finished in the top 4 at one of the nation's top trials (California's El Trial DeEspana - he was mentioned in at least one big national motorcycle magazine,) you're definitely on a hot streak. He'll do well at nationals this year.

-Good work trials marshals. Lots of work was put into this event, and we really appreciate that.
For example, in my section in the morning there were SEVEN DIFFERENT places where points were taken by a decent number of riders (the most 'diversity' I've ever seen for a morning section), and no dangerous parts at all in that section, and cleanable but still a decent challenge, and the perfect level of difficulty on this section, and turns and logs and rocks and roots all in the same section...good section design, a pleasure to check/observe.

-A woman wins the Expert S class (we know she's a great rider, but has that EVER happened with any other female in our group...ever?) Not surprising, really, as she's had a number of top 6 WORLD rides...one example: http://www.trial.cz/vysledky/2004/vysledky_TDN_2004.pdf
Hopefully she can show up at lots of events in the future.

-Dean and my first time at Deer Flats....ever....and we are local folks who first got into trials locally 33 years ago. An incredible area to ride.

-The best scenery I've ever seen at a trial...that almost eye-level snow-covered alpine view of the craggy peaks on the other side of the valley, to the south, was incredible.

-Dean played EIGHT volleyball matches in his volleyball league in the hours after riding the trial....I'll check to see if he's still alive....and to see if he needs to seek professional help. :-)


But the most important thing is: how are you doing, Mark L.?

Toni Bou leading....so far

Toni Bou has won 2 of the first 3 days of the FIM World Championship. Adam Raga is a close second. Cabestany is 3rd.

It's looking like a tight race for the title this year.

Patrick Smage finished 12th and 4th, respectively, on the first 2 days, but didn't ride on the 3rd day of the championship. Patrick is US Champion, and is riding in the Junior class at the world rounds this year.

You have to see it to believe it!

The most amazing trials performance I've ever seen:
Fujinami video

...now why can't I do that? (Oh, because unlike Fuji, I'm human...)

Dale D.

Upcoming Ioco trial March 15

Ioco (just over 1 hour north of Bellingham) is having CPTA's next event on March 15. Bill and Wayne and myself will likely be there representing PST. Any more takers? (And Ron and Tom and Brad and Don, etc. have ridden there before, as I've seen from the results.)

Also note, their beer has a higher alcohol content than ours does...reason enough to attend, no?

With a Nexus pass (thanks, Bill) we had to wait in line exactly ZERO minutes the last 2 times we crossed the border, as there was NO line-up whatsoever in the Nexus lane.

If you regularly travel to Iran, and you're a reformed Al-Qaeda member between 18 and 30 years old you'll, uh, likely have a harder time qualifying for the Nexus program (takes a few months?) than most folks. My point is that I don't think everybody qualifies (former felons, etc.?) for that program, but it makes sense to get into that program if you travel to British Columbia more than a couple times a year.

For more Nexus info: http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/trusted_traveler/nexus_prog/

Ioco has way way more snow than most places, though...it's kind of amazing, really. Surprisingly it's almost at sea level, too. So it's a bad place to go if cold temperatures are forecast...so check the local forecast up there, or you might be wasting your time:
http://www.theweathernetwork.com/weather/cabc0229

Ioco has better/more terrain than likely any regular trials spot in Washington, some believe.

If you also attend CPTA events you get TWICE as many events per year to ride than PST events only. This will make you a better rider.

Web site for more info: http://www.trialsclub.org Email their webmaster (Billy D.) if you need more info that the web site doesn't cover at all.

Photo credit: Ron Walsh

Dale D.