Hurrying through life

The boy and I made a little run to the Trials Training Center this weekend, to partake in round 7 & 8 of the STRAs Championship series. I really considered traveling to Birmingham for the AHRMA National event taking place there on Saturday. My old buds from BJRacing were there setting up, so I knew I could count on some inside infor…. Ur, I mean some well thought-out trials obstacles. The MITA guys were also having a modern event to the north, but I gave the choice to the boy and he elected to go hard and fast (the night before, that is). He also wanted to ride his Sherco, claiming an absence of too long from its saddle. Never mind that it ain’t got no saddle, or even a seat. I really think he believed he’d put on enough pounds to take the old man if we were both mounted evenly. I had my doubts about that, so I gave in to his direction of choice. We only rode one day (the boy’s social life calling) and I got to admit, he had me on the ropes but good through two rounds. But just like a young George Forman found out when he let Ali off the ropes after 8 rounds of pounding him; never count the win while your opponent is still standing. I won’t get into details, but suffice it to say that I pulled out all the stops and took him by 2 points in the end. He rode consistent all day (4 loops, with a 15, a 16, a 14 and another 15) and I’m proud of him. He’ll get me soon, for sure. But then again, maybe not real soon after all. “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee…”

We Ride Again!

Well, another ITSA trials event finally rolled around and not a moment too soon, I'd about forgot what the smell of two-stoke oil, helmet sweat, and dust smelled like. The scene was the Ranch in Dickson, with a whole bunch of riders competing for either ITSA, AHRMA, or STRA series points. Vintage bikes ruling the day, everything from mid-80s Fantics to rigid framed monsters made in the 1940s. I had a good time Saturday, but Sunday was a hoot! I love the single-line Scottish format, even if it doesn't particularly like me. Ah, I had a chance to clean the third loop Sunday but alas, it wasn't meant to be. I dropped three points as fast as was possible while making one single turn that shouldn't have been a big problem. Didn't mean much in the big picture, I'd already had my feet on the ground enough to have walked the loop twice. I rode in a group of really great guys, who pushed each other to do well, while not making it a matter of life or death. Clay and I were separated, but I had brother Joe with me all day and that was cool. That rascal hadn't set astride his old Yamaha in what must have been a year and still he beat the crap out of me. He would have beaten everyone else on Sunday, except he stopped in the easiest section of the trial with his axle about 2 inches from the end marker (or less). No explaining it, just a brain-fart and it's not like it meant the whole day sucked. Naw, it's a great day when old guys like me can spend the day playing like kids and laughing like idiots (Sweet).