I wanted to take a small bit of space here and tell everyone out there that is the least bit interested in trials to attend one of these schools.
In the fall of 1999, I decided that I really missed the competition and friends I had made back in the 70's riding and racing Motocross. The problem was, I was now 45 years old, self employed, with a wife and two boys that depended on me most of the time.
It was for that reason that I picked Trials as the Motorsport sport to return to. I figured, how hard can it be to go slow,... and I didn't think the risk of injury was as high as motocross.
Well, I was right about the injury part of the sport, and with a trials bike, I could play in the back yard as well. But, I was wrong about how hard a sport it can be to learn the skills needed to compete.
I entered my 1st trial in ARHMA's Novice class (3 line) in April of 2000. Since my RL250 was still in 32 zip lock bags and cardboard boxs at that time, I used my sons Honda TL125 as the bike for my 1st trial. The best I can tell you is that the most important thing I learned that day was that in all those years of riding motorcycles, I had not learned how to ride one at all. Not only did I not win, I didn't even finish last. I DNF'd after 2 loops of hell and didn't even attempt to ride the 3rd loop. So much for trials.
It was in June of 2000 that I decided that if I was going to do this right, I would need to go to a riding school. I learned about Mick Andrews teaching a school at B&J from Bob Ginder the owner of B&J Racing in Dickson TN. ( Bob was redoing the top end on the RL motor at the time) Besides, Mick Andrews was one of my heros when I was a teenager. Yes I knew he had won the world trials championship and was the designer of the Ossa MAR, but it was his six day riding skills that I admired most,, since we had just hosted the ISDT in New England where I grew up.
Well there Brian and I were, that saturday morning last June waiting to start school. The 1st thing you will find out about Mick Andrews is that he is one of the nicest guys you will ever meet, as well as a very patient teacher. The 1st thing we did in class was go over how your bike and controls should be set up. Control position will affect your body position while on the pegs can be corrected by the way you set your controls. We then went over each item on everyones bikes.
Next we worked on the basics of the turn, and rode what I would call a reverse SL course up a slight hill. Belive me it was harder than it looked. The rest of the 1st morning was filled with working on the basics of turning, lifting the Ft. wheel, and riding over a log, all the time with Mick spending as much individual time with each student as needed. (class size is limited to 10 rider this year)
After lunch, we all went into the woods and spent the rest of the school working on real sections with Mick always there to help each rider and gearing his teaching to each riders ability. In my case, I had none) Our class had several Novices, as well as a few experts and several in-between. I will say that each rider came away from Mick's school with the knowledge they each needed to improve their riding skills
The real interesting thing about Micks school was that while I was there, I couldn't do half the things he was teaching me, at least not very well. but these teachings stay with you as well. I entered my next Trial in December of 2000, at the last AHRMA Trial in Millersville Alabama. If you have ridden there, you know this is one of the harder events of the year. Anyway, I had done very little riding between Micks school and this event, but my Suzuki was completed, and I was going to drop down to the beginner class for this event.(4 line)
Well I won't say it was easy, but I finished all 3 loops, and low and behold I took 2ed place in the 4 line. (better than before) But all through this trial, I found myself remembering all the little things Mick told me. It was like he was there in my head telling me what I was doing wrong. I won't say going as far has helping me do it right, but the 1st step to doing it right is knowing what your doing wrong. (see Bob, I remember)
I think I dropped 65 points that day in the 4 line.
My next Trials was in Newnan GA, an STRA Vintage event in Feb, 2001. I ran STRA's Vintage C class, (same as AHRMA 3 line novice). on the 1st loop, I was making all of the same old dumb mistakes that I had before, but then in the second loop, I realized what I was doing wrong, and stated to remember what Mick had worked with me on those days back in June. It was like, "HEY, I CAN DO THIS". I had a good second loop, only droppin 11 points, and was on my way to a better 3rd loop when I had to take 5's on the last 2 sections because the clutch on the Suzuki started acting up. But I took 3rd place in the Vintage C class and had a grin on my face for a week.
The Next event was at Aonia Pass Ga, an AHRMA event. I was feeling good and had only dropped 2 points in the 1st 4 sections, (section 3 took more 5's than any section I have ever seen) when my clutch started acting up again. While I got it fixed, I didn't trust the bike the rest of the day, and ended up dropping 45 points for the day. not good, but better, and besides, I had a blast. After all, is that not why was do this anyway.
A week after that, we rode in Huntland Tn at the Dual AHRMA & STRA event. I finished 6th in the AHRMA points, and 4th in STRA points with a total of 25 points for the entire day. Better again, and twice the fun. (The Suzuki ran great)
The Next event was a 2 day vintage in Roberta GA., A STRA event. Day one, I droped 7 points on the 1st loop. All of them were stupid points that came from Brain fade. Micks teaching was still with me at each and every section I rode. The next loop, I dropped 3 points and felt great. I cleaned all but section 3, I got a 2 and sec 1, where I dropped 1. that loop. On loop 3, I had my best ride ever, a one point loop and let me tell you it felt great. Then on loop 4, I dropped 2 points and ended the day with 13 points, in 2ed place, one ahead of last years Prem. lwt. Novice National champ. Of course the next day I suffered bad brain fade and was killed by Ray who had just 2 points for all 4 loops and I had loops of 4, 4, 9, and 3, and finished in sixth place. Still better than the dobble digit loods I had before and I still had more fun than should be legal.
This brings me to the last event I have ridden to date, the "Big Bartons Creek Trial" at B&J Racing just 2 weeks ago. Funny thing is I had told Bob Ginder about my 1 point loop in Roberta and he assured me that I could not ride a one point loop at his trial. well I belived him about this trial, after all 1 year before, I DNF'd here in my 1st trial and AHRMA event. OK OK I am getting to the end and my point.
I rode 3 loops here, 7 points the 1st loop, 3 points the 2ed loop, and ONE (1) point the 3rd loop and took 2ed place behind Ray Corlew, Ray was AHRMA Novice Prem. Lwt. Novice National Champ last year, one of the nicest guys I know, and a student at Micks School with me last year. Ray is well on his way to winning the Prem. Lwt. Int. class this year. My goal for 2001 was to try and stay close to Ray this year, which I have done so far ( I even beat hin on day one in Roberta) But all that I have learned about trials riding, I owe to two people. 1st and formost, Mick Andrews, without his school last year, I would still not have a clue about what I am doing, and still be dropping 45 to 50 points per event. and second to Bob Ginder at B&J Racing who besides being a friend, has worked with me while at Micks school and at his schools at B&J racing in Dickson TN., as well as giving pointers at the events we have ridden in. But mainly, for have the foresight to talk me into going to Mick's school and not giving up when it got hard.
Bob also has a way of getting me to do things I didn't know I could. After dropping the one point on loop 3 last week, I was determined that if I droped any more points it was going to be a 5, because my head was hitting the ground before I put my foot down again just because he said I couldn't. Thanks Bob.
Funny thing is that when I started a year ago I told Bob I would be content to stay in the Novice class forever. Now, I am thinking in terms of moving up to the B/2 line next year. Oh yea, I have all ready signed Brian and myself up for Micks school this year as well, and if I can, will try to make one of his one day schools at one of the AHRMA events as well.
This is one of the best sports I know for families, and more fun than the athorities would allow to be legal, if they knew about it.
Ok, what's the point of all this rambling, Well If you are thinking about riding Trials, Modern or Vintage, you owe it to yourself to attend one of Mick Andrews trials schools. It will make you a better rider, and be a blast at the same time. I hope I see you on the loop, and If you see me, I hope you will stop and say Hi.
Pete
Chapter 11 Racing
