AHRMA National Vintage Trials at Aonia GA tomorrow

[Semper Gumby]

I'm trailering the Montesa to Aonia GA tomorrow morning for the AHRMA National trials.  It's going to be COLD.  The bike started today so it should start tomorrow.

Prayers requested as I'm only a Novice!

http://www.atlantamc.com/Archives_2010/Race_2010-11-06/RaceWeekend_2010-11-06.html

[Bengt_Phorqs]

Good luck to you Bill!  We need to see a snap of that Montesa.  I've always had a weakness for the marque since I bought my King Scorpion in '71.  And if the trials you're attending in Georgia are anything like Monte and I watched at Barber's you should do well.  Most of those sections appeared to be pretty easy to do.  No water, no logs to speak of, but fairly tight.  He keeps telling me to compete but I am not convinced.  Maybe in another year or two.  Let us know how it turns out.

[nhmaf]

Good luck, Bill !

We'll be cheering for ya, bring back some pics (and a trophy if you can)!    

[montmil]

No dabs for ya, Bill. All glory to the R65ers!

Yes, the AHMRA event at Barber looked a cakewalk but I recently saw several of the same competitors at the Luckenback, TX Central Texas Trials Assn competition and their sections were quite difficult.

Note to self: Continue to bug Bengt to give it a go. Or at least let me borrow the Yamaha

Monte

[montmil]

"I'm trailering the Montesa to Aonia GA tomorrow morning for the AHRMA National trials."

Yo, Bill. "Tomorrow" was yesterday. How'd it go for you at Aonia? [smiley=thumbup.gif]
Got any snaps? Inquiring minds, like Bengt's, want to know.

Monte

[Semper Gumby]

Krikey.  The National was a step up from what I'm used to.  Plus it rained the day before.  Two guys who set it up qualify for "sadist" status.  I finished 6th (I think) out of 8 in the modern classic class.  There were some really good riders looking for points in the AHRMA National Competition.  It was great fun however and I claim a MORAL VICTORY for completing a tough section with zero points against that I scored a dismal 5 on two previous attempts.

The first section, corner one, labeled "ALL" took us up a short rise over a crest between two trees.  From the crest next to the tree on the left you had to execute a RH 180 degree turn down hill to the right
around the tree on the right that had a trunk leaning into the space you wanted to use for the turn.  All this was done on TREE ROOTS.  What little smooth surface there was consisted of unfriendly soft sand.  Of course the out of bounds tape was laying on the ground so you couldn't increase your turning radius by leaning against the tape (as long as it doesn't break).  Things went down hill from there after that fine how-do-ya-do!  I must admit though, I really enjoy the pace of trials.  Getting off the bike looking the section over, watching other attempt and then just doing it.  It's great fun.


Winter has arrived.  Time to service the Montesa and upgrade it's "hard with Age" Chinese rear tire and the "fresh from the dark ages" Bridgestone Dual sport tire (also hard with age and out of round).  I think buying some fresh Michelin rubber will take away that excuse.  As for my puny abilities -- practice practice practice.

Also on the list is a new throttle to replace the broken one (I don't know how) and new chain and sprockets.  The chain has a broken roller and I think I need a larger rear sprocket to help haul my bulk up those steep muddy inclines.  And perhaps a rear fender....

Later that afternoon I watched the TT racing (Half flat track half dirt road course).  I got to see #13 Dave Aldana tear up the TT track in his black leathers with skeleton on the front win every heat he was in.

I count my lucky stars I get to hang with the people I do when I go ride.

[montmil]

Sounds as if your weekend was a success, Bill. Did well in places, discovered where improvements can be made, ie: practice, and picked up some ideas for improving the bike. Great!
Mike and I did comment on the larger rear sprockets we saw on many of the Barber-AHMRA trials bikes.

Dave Aldana? How cool is that. He and Gene Romero were my flat track heros w-a-y back in the day.

Score any pics?

Monte

[Bengt_Phorqs]

The first section, corner one, labeled "ALL" took us up a short rise over a crest between two trees.From the crest next to the tree on the left you had to execute a RH 180 degree turn down hill to the right
around the tree on the right that had a trunk leaning into the space you wanted to use for the turn.All this was done on TREE ROOTS.What little smooth surface there was consisted of unfriendly soft sand.Of course the out of bounds tape was laying on the ground so you couldn't increase your turning radius by leaning against the tape (as long as it doesn't break).Things went down hill from there after that fine how-do-ya-do!

And THAT is exactly why I don't want to compete!  My Zen Gallon hat is off to you Bill for having a go at it.  Congratulations on the effort.

[nhmaf]

 [smiley=clap.gif] [smiley=beerchug.gif]
Congratulations Bill!!
[smiley=clap.gif]

[Vegasrandall]

I used to ride a montessa and watched the internationals in temecula,ca.one year.trials are great fun and you do learn a lot about riding.

[Motu]

I rode my first trial in nearly 3 years a few weeks ago.I stopped early 2008 when I decided it wasn't doing anything good for my hernia.All fixed now,and decided to get back on the 1987 TLR200.Drain the tank and carb,started in 3 kicks.Fixed 2 punctures and I was ready for the Xmas Trial,the last trial of the year.

I told myself I wasn't going to enter,just ride around to get the feel of things,and try out a few easy sections.For us trials is a winter sport,the ground is too hard in summer...but this was a great property with a nice rocky stream for the sections.Eight sections,five rounds.To get to the first section we had to cross the rocky stream,and I was really worried how I was going to get across.As soon as the front wheel hit the water and first rocks it all came back - I was on a trials bike,it's made to do this,and I've done it before.

I did the whole trial,only dropped one 5 on my first round and finished the day with 35 points,winning my class of Twinshock Clubman...although there were only 3 in the class. So,looks like I'm back into trials.

[Barry]

In the 70's I used to fool around on a Honda TL125. Not a real competitive trials bike but the engine was a gem.

I remember thinking competition trials is a lot harder than it looks.

[montmil]

I rode my first trial in nearly 3 years a few weeks ago...
I did the whole trial,only dropped one 5 on my first round and finished the day with 35 points,winning my class of Twinshock Clubman...although there were only 3 in the class. So,looks like I'm back into trials.

Nicely played, Motu!  The TLR200 is a Honda, correct? Unsure if this model was available in the Colonies.

Monte

[Bengt_Phorqs]

The TLR200 is a Honda, correct? Unsure if this model was available in the Colonies.

They come up for sale from time to time.  http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270682027798&viewitem=
If you would ever built that country estate you keep talking about we would have a place to ride. [smiley=bmw_smiley.gif]

[Motu]

The US got the TLR200 Reflex,which is a watered down version of the TLR200.The Reflex had smaller forks,steel wheels and bash plate,and a few other steel items too...sold as a trail bike.To the rest of the world the TLR200 was a trials bike,and used as such.

I like the handling,for a twinshock - but really think a 4 stroke is not good for trials.A 2 stroke trials bike relies on it's lack of engine braking and heavy flywheels - for example on a steep slippery climb,you hit it in 2nd gear with a lot of throttle,as the rear wheel hits the slope you roll off the throttle and the flywheels carry the bike up with no wheelspin.This technique is used for nearly every other obstacle in trials.If you throttle off on a 4 stroke the bike just stops - so you need to keep the throttle on nearly all the time.It's advantage is lack of wheelspin and engine braking.So the TLR200 is tough going in rocks where a 2 stroke will have the flywheels rolling you over slippery rocks,the TLR needs lots of throttle - real hard work.

This is the sort of stuff we ride in.



One of my daughters on it.