Trail Report: December 28th 2002

Apart from being late - "7:00 is kick off so be there a little eary" says Rob, Brad is a stalwart and long time participant. He sets the day off with a thunderous pace, such that the rear players are (a) eating dust and (b) having a hard time keeping up.

The TTR looks after him, it would seem rider and machine are now at one. Initially he was cautious and gentle, but after a few bingles and a forced seat replacement he finally gives it all - and both parties benefit.

Some players on the day may have giving him a ribbing about "needing the pink version, you girl" but secretly all of us wish we had an electric start too.

Wolfie doesn't get any points for being on time either but, well, its always good to have him aboard. Since the players were feeling like a challenge they pointed and commanded "Wolfies agility course - Make It So."

Players need to follow Wolfie, he has a style about him. It isn't motorcross, it is a wierd combination of trials bike and general enduro. There are plenty of simple techniques that can be learned; but if there is one thing worth noting is it that regardless of speed or terrain - you will *never* see him put a foot on the gorund except to stop. Very trials bike, crikey.

Howard is also someone to follow for techniques. During the day there was a bit of bike swapping going on and other players were bewildered by his configuration.

"By setting the levers low, it forces you to get up, get your elbows out where you are in greater control. See too the gear shift is high for easy standing up changes, and the rear brake is basically level with the pegs for quick access."

No suprises that when following him you rarely see him sit down. In fact, you won't be able to change gears sitting down. It is a good lesson, but a hard one for your quads if you aren't used to it.

All credit goes to Rob for being able to organise players. The day before there is a message on the board, and a group SMS goes out. This is a mere reminder for the forgetful players, the ride was already announced a week ago.

Rob is definately throwing the XR6 around more than the Rob of old, the time on his YZ250 saddle has given him new found confidence. Today it seemed he was looking for the YZ from time to time, the XR6 was giving him some grief in the deep sandy spots. Not easily rattled, he sweated, perservered and even, at the end of the ride, still found time and effort to help some young kid get his old 2 stroke bike going.

426 is Tim426's lucky number. Fresh out of the worked WR426 saddle and into the YZF426 saddle, he says the change has been good. Lucky too, otherwise we'd have to change his name.

"I just couldn't trust the front end on the WR, but the YZF is a different matter" he says.

The YZF, a mere 6 months old, was previously owned by a mechanic who "had set it up nicely." It was running on a methonal high octane mix, but Tim426 has put it back on a premium unleaded diet. "It's harder to start now, but very well behaved."

JAW was obviously slow to start with on the day. Players have noted this in the past - more than 3 weeks off and you are rusty. Even 3 weeks is pushing it. But put in 3 rides in a row every weekend - on that third ride watch out, you're on fire!

By the time JAW had found some form he was pretty much too knackered to do anything with it.

One note for JAW - look carefully at the fuel tank switch on a Yammy. If a Yammy dies in the arse and it is obviously lack of fuel, don't assume that the fuel is on reserve already unless you see the clearly marked arrow pointing at reserve.