What Mambership Card Is In Your Wallet?

I’m once again I'm reminded of what the ITSA organization has done to enhance my motorcycle trials riding experience. Like a lot of riders in my area, I’m also a member of the STRA. I’ve got a little history with that organization, having been a part of it back in the late 70s and early 80s and then joining back with new interest about 5 years ago. I was also active in the AHRMA competitions until it became apparent that they didn’t really want me (a lowly trials rider) as anything more than a dues payer. Ever since my less-than-spectacular return to the STRA, I’ve been subjected to a decidedly cold-shoulder from a large part of the rank and file STRA membership. Now, I haven’t lost any sleep over it. I understand that it’s a simple case of a central core of elitist pricks being followed by a herd that's not capable of individual thought. They make a big deal about “welcoming” and “encouraging” new membership, but that’s just a farce. The only reason most of them pretend to want new members is to either fuel the enterprise, or to provide an additional fan-base for their imagined celebrity.

There is also a distinct bias in the STRA, or Modern over Vintage competition. Now (on the STRA bulletin board), there’s a long-time member who has had the “audacity” to call them on it. The initial response was a chorus of righteous indignation from the masses. They jumped on him like a pack of dingos on a crippled kangaroo. Then when their frontal assault failed to deter the criticism, they took the tone injured martyrs. Hypocritical bullshit.

I’ve got a modern bike and I like to ride it. I haven’t competed on it all year, but it’s not because I’m never welcomed when I do. I’ve just been busy. I’m still an STRA member and I will make more modern STRA events. I just wish I was good enough to beat’em. Thanks Lee, for speaking up and a big thanks to Bob and my fellow ITSA members keeping trials fun.