Tawmass
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| Joined: 07 Jun 2004 |
| Posts: 8598 |
| Location: Hillsburrito, Orygun |
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 Posted: Mon Oct 05, 2009 1:12 pm |
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“Sorry Dude, this dog can’t hunt today” was the text message I received from Walt early Sunday morning. Evidently our copious amounts of tequila the night prior at Jimmy Mak’s took its toll on him. Bummer, since Walt had a spand branking new Gas Gas trials bike that he needed to break in. I on the other hand felt fine. I spent all day prior working in my garage and couldn’t believe that it had been over 14 months since I last rode my trials bike, so I dusted off all the cobwebs and decided I would take it to Diamond Mill to play around. Low and behold, there was a COTA trials event going on at Diamond Mill also, so why not!
I pulled in to Diamond Mill, made my way to sign up and got a brief event overview from the event host and longtime trials enthusiast Keith Ditmars. I also offered to ‘observe’ in the afternoon for the experts and champ classes. How the event worked was like this: the novice (me) and intermediate classes ran in the morning, while the experts observed (watched for foot dabs) at each of the nine sections. Once the morning groups were done, then everyone swapped – expert/champs would ride, while we novice/intermediates observed. Also at the event were my two favorite ODF employees, Dave Hiatt and Jahmaal Rebb.
My Montesa was running well, although I was still extremely rusty, and the lack of [non]seat time on my trials bike reared its ugly head early on. I really need to get together with more advanced riders and learn the basics. Nonetheless, I made my way around the rather difficult sections, and through it all, I had a really great time. It’s really amazing the amount of calories I burned riding slow! I really appreciated the tips and suggestions that the advanced riders would give me after I went through a section – that really means a lot. Speaking of the other riders, I’ve heard and now realize that the small circle of trials riders are eclectic and different (in a good way). They have all also been very kind and helpful on my brief trials riding excursions. I also met a new rider named Miles, who is from Klamath Falls and is currently going to my old college (OIT).
After lunchtime, it was time for the really good riders to go out. I was assigned to observe on Section 6, right across the road from Section 5 where Mike Wirth was observing. Mike is a trials junky and is always fun to hang with. Miles wanted to get a taste of things and graciously helped us observe our sections.
Watching the expert riders (and especially the lone Champ Class rider, Max) go through the sections is rather eye opening. They are everything I currently am not – smooth, calculating and at one with their bike.
Below are a few pictures (and one video) I took of the advanced riders coming through my section. It was incredible what objects they had to go through (and over). There were a couple spectacular tumbles and Dick Beardsley even did some logging!
At the end of the day I had the pleasure of meeting yet another great ODF employee, Christie, who is in charge of creating the new riding area East of Astoria called Nicolai Mountain. She seems like a great lady and is an enthusiast, so I have great expectations from her! And out of the blue, some guy on a KTM came rolling up to me, pulled off his helmet and, low and behold, it was my old riding bud Todd Heinle and his wife Cedar! Thanks to the Ditmar Family and crew for hosting yet another fun event!
To watch a short video compilation I shot, just click on the small picture below.
-Tom
Note: all my pictures can be seen HERE.
 
 
 
 
 
 
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You don't stop riding because you grow old, you grow old because you stop riding.
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