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.?