AHRMA VINTAGE TRIALS DONNER DAY 2 2008








The Scene of "The Night Before"


 Not quite so much smoke from the fires this morning and an earlier start. Having trouble deciding
which bike to ride today. The Cub rides so nicely but stick with the plan and get some more
experience on the big Enfield. A few changes of faces this morning, some only came for one day,
Fred Martinson, still walking wounded, can't handle a second day. Will Hilgenburg, after a Zero day
on the Cotton yesterday is checking as is Derek Belvoir. Don Kelley is out on his new Dick Mann toy
and Dick himself is riding his newest creation the DMW, and Sam Vanderhoof just made it before the 
rider's meeting. It looks like Gene will be riding as well!

 Today we are to the right of the lodge and I'm told the sections are a little harder and I have only
seen the 2 close to the start. As I'm not in a rush I can start at 1 which opens between two big logs
on the ski slope, some tight turns in and out of the ditch for the 1 & 2 lines then a few more turns
uphill on the slope which may well cut up as the day goes on. Slip through for the first clean of the
morning and off to 2.



In the Purple Livery the RE on Section 1

 At 2 there is quite a crowd  but the section seems to be riding well. Plenty of loose rolling rocks on
the turns and a little mud to contend with. Downhill from the start, left and right turns then a squirt
up the bank and behind the tree to the exit. Still clean round the corner where young Will is checking. 

 No 3 has some awkward looking rocks to turn on just after the start then a left turn over a ridge and
down a nasty knarly looking step to the exit. The step could be interesting if it starts breaking up.

 A short ride over the hill to see Derek on 4. The only major problem here is a tightish right turn in
some loose dirt and small crumbly rocks. A little ambitious and weight in the wrong place the front
wheel plows but a fistful of power and a lot of body lean drags the tractor round the corner.

 A slow ride over the mountain following the hiking trail is great fun and reminds me of some of the
tracks across the Scottish Highlands which, just maybe, I might get to see again next year. Certainly
a "a good to be alive" feeling as you ride round up here in the cool mountain air.

 5, 6 and 7 are all together but are not causing any hold ups. A nasty rock at the top of 5 could grab
some marks from anyone with low ground clearance but the Enfield slips through before the adverse
where modern tires just go exactly where you want with absoluetly no slippage, from there just a
small step into a turn and the exit.

 6 is almost continuous and requires a bit of power to climb up the adverse bed rock with it's d rings.
Must alter the jetting before Casper! However she is up and out and on for the last in the group
No 7.

 Section 7 looks a lot trickier than most with lots of choices of line. Simple entry, line up for the hill
then wide open bed rock before a left right on the top and another choice of lines to the exit. The
climb makes the old girl splutter on power but I suspect it would go up there on idle. 

 Down the mountain to 8 which actually has mud! Yipee!! Along the side of the pond over a step
and then up that big "cobblestone" rock and now a left descending turn to a split around the tree
and run out to the exit. The tractor holds it's line on the adverse muddy entry and handles well for
the rest of the section.

 Back down the path to the lodge to number 9. This seems to be the "gimmee" of the day although
I did see some people lose a mark or two here probably thinking it was a gimmee! First loop clean 
so try and concentrate for the second lap.



Wolfy on a "Barnstormer!" .... Dan wondering "What did he have for breakfast?"



Anything you can do........




Just one point covers 1,2, 3 .......but second sucks!



Loop 2 and getting to grips with the Dragon

 As expected 1 is cutting up so just a little more care on the turns, 2 and 3 no change, and a better
personal ride on 4. 5, 6 and 7 are the same and 8 has got a bit more mud and the adverse entry is
getting slippy and taking a few marks. Another clean loop so out for the last round with plenty of
time.




Regular Trials Central contributor.... "Swooshdave" on the 3 line Section1




Two 2nd places in MC Exp for Mike Salsman




Nick in the dust or is it smoke?





Just having fun



Andy on Ray Iddon's "One Trick Cub"



I think the ladies have been on the 4 line long enough... time to move up


 No 1 has piles of loose dirt on the turns but a bit of showboating here for the "camera lady" and
on up the hill to 2, 3 and 4 which don't cause any problems. Crash into the big rock on 5 but the
bulldozer pushes all aside and on I go. Not the best line on 6 but through for the clean. 

 Lining up for 7 I see someone rotovate a big rock right onto the line. I elect to ride over it and by
the time the backwheel is over I'm further into the turn than I want to be and as I make the line up
turn the back wheel catches a "roller" which throws me off line for the hill and in the surprise the
first competition mark on the Enfield is squandered! Not bad though 69 cleans until she lost her
virginity! A pat on the tank and old faithful finishes off the day with good cleans on 8 and 9.

 With my 1 mark loss my weekend gains me 3 nice bottles and 60 Championship points, a great
ride from Ralph Foster in Modern Classic Expert thrashing the opposition. Modern Classic
Intermediate, with Fred away, was another close contest with Randy taking it on 3 and Wolfy
having a barnstormer of a ride on 4 and a tie with Dan also on 4 dabs for the day. This time Dan
won the "age" tie breaker! Ed just a little way back on 9 but creeping ever closer in his new class
.... it won't be long. I think the new boots helped. Gene wrapped up Modern Classic Novice with
an easy win and Len Sims had a clean ride on the Rigid Cub. Overall 2 great days of riding in near
idyllic conditions. Thanks to everyone that contributed.



Last time up 1



One turn to go



THANKS FOR A GREAT WEEKEND!!



 We elected to take things easy so we will stay another night before the 907 mile trip over to
Dolores.


Tony & Brenda


 If you rode you will be on film!

 

P.S. Having just cleaned the Tractor the big crashing clang on the rocks of 5 broke the toe
completely off the rear brake pedal!

P.P.S  www.trialsphoto.com now has ALL the Photos from COTOPAXI, MILLIKEN 
                                               and DONNER .... close on 500 shots, you must like
                                               one or two???