outlawtrials.com

Today is a very important day for my family, because it was 45 years ago, that my daughter Helen,Katrina was born. - It’s hard for us to believe that all those years have gone by - our hopes and dreams for our little girl, and of course bringing her to Canada when she was just 18 months old.

Helen now has two beautiful girls of her own, and has been the absolute best daughter anybody could wish for - so on this day July 3rd a big “HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEETIE”

This weekend is Flag waving day South of the border, with 4th of July Celebrations everywhere - and some of the biggest crowds will be at Laguna Seca for the Moto GP race.

At home in the OK Valley, the sun is already high in the sky as I write this at 6am - the forecast is for another hot day, but unlike the last two Friday’s, we will not be out riding today. - instead we will be out on Sunday, - a couple of Edmonton lads are in the Valley on holiday, so we will try to hook up with them.

Tomorrow is Round One of the WEC Enduro Championship near Blairmore Alberta - Foordy will be racing the Beta RR 450 for the first time, we wish him and all the other riders luck. - We heard that the Beta RR400 got rave reviews in a Cycle Canada test, but haven’t had a chance to read up on it yet.

The first long weekend of July is coming up, and over in Alberta, the ATRA boys will have the Falun Trial near Wetaskiwin. - “Foordy” will miss one, as he will be contesting Rounds One and Two of the WEC Canadian Championship Enduro Series in Southern Alberta. - This should leave the Expert class door open for young Jake Cook, but you can never count out Chris Tronnes, who knows the area well.

Taff and the boys were out at Stony last Sunday, and unfortunately, Taff’s Dad, had a fall in the gully, which caused some concern as he cracked a couple of ribs. - the Parfitt’s are over from Wales for a visit - hopefully he is now feeling better, as this can be very painful. ( I’ve done it)

The Moto GP Series is at Laguna Seca this weekend - Casey Stoner says he doesn’t have high hopes - maybe because it was here that Rossi passed him at the infamous “Corkscrew” last year. - If Nicky Hayden is going to do anything at all this year, this is likely his best chance, as he knows the circuit like the back of his hand.

more news as it happens ——————->

“O Canada” - Yep another year has gone by, and after living in this Country since 1965, I can honestly say that I would not wish to live any place else. - While working for Yamaha Canada, I spent ten years traveling all over this great land, from West to East and up into the North Country. - the terrain might vary, but the people are in general, the friendliest in the World.

For the Trials rider, the chance to explore high Mountain peaks, with gushing waterfalls, and millions of wild flowers, is something that is worth more than winning the lottery ( Well almost !) - Although these modern machines are designed for competition only, - they adapt well to the high Alpine trails and with the addition of extra fuel in a back pack - the scope is endless. - Modern electronics, make the transfer of photo’s onto web-sites or emails possible in minutes, but the real thrill is to be out there ” Smelling the Roses”

Have a great Canada Day everybody - wave the flag proudly.

My day started at 4.30am with a drive to Vancouver to pick up Beta Evo’s and deliver some Opti. - A beautiful day for the trip and although it was long ( back home at 6.30pm) - I found it quite enjoyable. - Had a good chat to Bob & Janis at Mountain Motorcycle - and also called on Don at Cascade Cycle in Mission.

I see that Bob John’s has now posted the report of the Outlaw Series etc and also the Super Stars - better late than never I guess - although in fairness he is supposed to be retired.

Canada Day tomorrow, and first thing for me will be to unload the two Evo’s and set them up. - Not sure what the family have planned, but I’m sure I will get my instructions.

I think Pete is coming up in the morning to pick up his number plate gas tank - these Hebo units really are slick  and work on any trials bike.

It was quite a weekend for the Beta Factory, - Jeroni Fajardo took the first ever World Round Trials win for the new Evo in the premier class, beating out all the fancied riders, - while Alexz Wigg celebrated a huge 2009 Championship win in the Junior Class. - With two rounds still to go, Alexz can’t be caught in that class, so will jump up to the Pro Class for the final events in September.

In other Beta news, Ray Peters dominated the Expert Class at the NATC rounds in Tennessee, and Steve Foord has mailed to say he was out on the Beta 450 Enduro at the weekend, breaking it in before the WEC Championship Enduro North of Blairmore July 4/5. ( Says it’s awesome )

The Sherco factory also had lots to cheer about in Andorra, with Jonathan Richardson clinching the 125cc Youth World Championship, and Pat Smage took the Champ win both days in Tennessee, followed by Cody Webb on the Sherco 4T. - John Isherwood blitzed the Senior 50 class at this event on Sunday on his Sherco 250.

We’ve heard that the last shipment of Evo’s was due in Vancouver last Thursday - anybody wanting one better get on the phone as these will be snapped up quickly.

I see David Knight took the win at the GNCC event last weekend - he also took home $10,000 for his efforts which will help his “Privateer” Kawasaki Team.

UPDATE - Just posted a few more pics on the Cornergrass event - thanks to Shane Cuthbertson for sending these.

A big shock in World Trials at the Andorra event, when Jeroni Fajardo ( Beta) took the win, beating out Adam Raga (GG) and Tony Bou (Hon/Mon) Results - Fajardo (Beta) 15 - Raga (GG) 21 - Bou (Honda/Montesa) 23 - Fuji (Honda) 43 - Lampkin (Beta) 44, - Dabill (GG) 44 - Cabestany (Sherco) 51 - Loris Gubian was injured at the Trial.

Junior Results - Gomez (Hon/Mon) 4 - Grattarola (Sherco) 12  - Moret (Sherco) 18 - Danby (GG) 21 - Ferrer (Sherco) 22 - Laniel (?) 22 - Wigg (Beta) 24 - Alexz Wigg is now the 2009 Junior World Champion . Note ! Wigg slipped off a rock ledge into a deep pool of creek water and drowned the Beta, early in the Trial, which made him tight on time - the young Brit also won the Youth World Championship in 2006.
Youth Results  - Warenghein (Sherco) 2 - Morphett ( Beta) 4 Richardson (Sherco) 5 - Jonathan Richardson (Sherco) is now the 2009 World Youth 125 Champion.

Ben Spies took the win in race one at Donington Park England - the Yamaha rider finished ahead of Max Biaggi on the Aprilia, with Nori Haga (Ducati) in third - the race can be seen on Speed vision later today.

Looks like it’s going to be a hot day in the Valley - talked to Jimmy last night & he said it snowed in the Mountains above Fernie last week - he mentioned that the WEC Enduro slated for next weekend actually starts near Clairsholm Alberta although it’s listed as being at Blairmore in the Crowsnest Pass. - Anybody going should check.

SPIES DOUBLES AT DONNINGTON - Ben Spies ran away from the pack in the 2nd Superbike race today - he was in a class of his own, and has to be the most sought after rider for 2010 - I think it’s called name your price for both World Superbike and Moto GP.

Good write up by Dougie on the Andorra event - he really can’t complain because he isn’t far off the pace even with a very banged up hand.

Laia Sanz (Hon/Mon) easily won the first round of the Ladies World Trials Championship today in Andorra - Becky Cook        ( Sherco) finished second and Joanne Coles also from the UK in third - Iris Kramer had a bad second loop and finished 4th.

Ben Spies is on Pole for the World Superbike race at Donnington Park England -while in MotoGP, Valentino Rossi won his 100th Grand Prix in style, at at the Assen event. - Jorge Lorenzo finished 2nd and Casey Stoner 3rd.

more news as it happens.——————>

Yesterday I gave Steve Doel the “Heads up” on posting any news for Alberta riders on my blog - I now extend this to anybody who wants to communicate with other riders for a ride or whatever - my site is getting around 87,000 hits per month so lots of people are reading it and - IT GETS UPDATED EVERY DAY. - Naturally garbage mail will get deleted.

Also any results sent to me will get posted THE SAME DAY - Still no results posted on the Super Stars that I have seen  - I checked the CPTA and PNTA sites today at 5pm - it’ a week since the event !!!!
Today Pete (Brown) and myself rode at Yankee Flats for the first time this year. - we had intended to go ride White Lake, but after dropping off some Opti near Salmon Arm it seemed like a better plan to go ride Yankee - especially as Marcus had to work ( What a pain - Pete & me are old enough to skip school) - It proved to be an interesting ride - I had jetted the new 09 Sherco 290, and was anxious to see how it worked.

Pete of course has been riding nearly every day since he got his 4T and needed no encouragement to drive North to Vernon. - I must say his confidence level has improved, but he needs to get that finger on the clutch to avoid those “5’s”

We covered lots of ground today - and explored another road that leads to Spanish Lake - We found a creek with lots of potential for future rides - I took some pics and video with my Fuji Camera.

In Moto GP news - Rossi is on pole in Assen Holland and of course the World Trials guys are in Andorra this weekend.

Cycle World have an interesting article on David Knight and his parting with BMW - Although the Manxman is a bit Hot headed - You have to admire his comments - very Professional. - Sometimes Factories don’t listen - Yamaha didn’t in my day ( backed up by Mick Andrews).

The Big news in Motorcycling today, is that David Knight will be in the States this weekend, riding his own private Kawasaki’s in the GNCC Cross Country in West Virginia. - The ex Trials ace who just last week quit the BMW Factory Team says he will take in a few events in the USA including some of the Enducross Series.

For TY lovers there is a good video on the Trialsmag.net site - shows a bunch of guys on a neat trail ride somewhere in Europe - they are all on older mostly twin shocks  - we have been doing this type of thing in BC for the past few years, exploring the high alpine, the trials bikes make many spots accessible where normally only pack horses or hikers go.

The new owner of one of my Fantic 240’s dropped by last night - sounds like he has done a lot of work to the bike, machining new triple clamps and working on the rear suspension. - Hopefully both my old bikes will be out in the Fall for our Yankee Doodle Fun day.

Chris Wilson mailed to say that they are planning a ride at Indian Graves Alberta, this weekend - this is a fantastic area, where Chris put on some really good Trials a few years ago.-

Also heard from Todd Nordin - we chatted about the Super Stars event - he said Stan was there, but could not remember any results.  - It’s a shame that many good events never get the publicity they deserve. - like I’ve said a zillion times, old news is simply that -”Old News”

Neil Carter, the Sherco Distributor for Eastern Canada, mailed to offer assistance for Western riders traveling to the WEC Championship rounds in August - Neil will be helping Dean Mayke with the event in Mansfield.

More news as it happens ————————->Just posted a couple of pics taken by Gord Walker while we were doing some final set up at Summerland - You can see them on the WEC/Outlaw Album - I have the one of the wild flowers as my screen saver - great pic. ( Not sure about the other one with the old guy)

NEWSFLASH ! - PICS OF THE NEW 2010 BETA EVO NOW ON THE GALLERY - New features include the relocation of the rad cap ( Not that we have had or heard of ANY problems with the 09)

Plus new rear swingarm & suspension details.

It’s hard to imagine that we are almost at the end of June, and much of the Motorcycle Season already “In the books” - The World Trials riders are in Andorra this weekend, before they take a two month Summer break. - If Tony Bou (Honda) wins this one, his 4th Title will look pretty much assured, but Adam Raga (GG) will be pushing hard to win another event  - this one close to home. - The battle for 3rd & 4th is still close, and Dougie Lampkin (Beta) is still in with a chance, but he will need some luck - the good sort.
Alexz Wigg (Beta) and Jon Richardson (Sherco) only need to finish in the top ten at the Andorra Trial, to win their respective Junior and Youth World Titles - It will be interesting to see if the checking is fair or partisan like in Italy last weekend.

There is a post on Cycle News regarding KTM and their plan to withdraw from future Dakar races in South America - the article talks about the “Africa Rally” that took place last year for the first time - and if KTM support this then other large teams may follow.

Results from the WEC in Slovakia show a mixed bag of machines in the top positions in all three classes. - heavy rain made for very tough muddy conditions - You can check the results on the Cycle News Web-Site.

Interesting to see that a lot of the Enduro boys are going back to Two Strokes - lighter with more power & easier to fix.

Taff has his folks over from Wales right now so he will have to be on his best behaviour !!!