THE 2008 SEASON, SECOND HALF






 Amazingly here we are half way through the season and time to cast the mind back to see where
we have been and where we are going.



A Chilly morning in AZ

 The season opened at the new venue in Buckeye in February and despite all the reservations
about working in a sandpit we did actually have a pretty good event regardless of the "Spoilt Brat"
behaviour of our rival event just down the road. There is certainly plenty of scope here for a 2 day
event next year, without crossing lines with MX or Cross Country.




Wet & Muddy at Diamond Don's

 Diamond Don's has so much terrain it never ceases to amaze me how we always get screwed by
Cross Country! A long way to go for a one day trial, maybe a 2 day in the future or, if not, it just
might fall off my schedule.



Warm & Dry at the new Perris




Not much here, but enough

 Perris, umm! what can we say about this venue? Close to home, well inside 400, very limited in
real estate but what there is can make a good trial. However it's not the old Perris we know and
the sections for the future can only be variations on this years theme.



A Great Trial, Tucker Ranch Cotopaxi



A CLEAN at last ! Section 1 Cotopaxi

 Cotopaxi, perfect location, tons of sections available and unexplored. Fantastic setting and
atmosphere and well worth the drive. 




First Ride for the "Oilfield" Milliken Co



It handled nicely for a Bulldozer


 Milliken, a fun event and nice location. A long way for me but enjoyable nontheless.

 Casey and Marion just too far even for a 2 day.



Donner, Oh Donner!



More fun on the RE at Donner

 Donner, great trials in idyllic surroundings and a must for every season.

 Mid Ohio, once again just too far away to be worth the drive.


 So, what have we got to come? Chehalis in August which we did last year and although the actual
trial was enjoyable enough with a great turnout in a nice location the attitude did not make for a
great event. If you can't ride round and view the sections or test your machine with a little light
practice and every time you move you are being "Policed" it does not create an atmosphere that
says drive 1600 miles to be there! Regrettably this one is now firmly crossed off the calendar.

 That moves us along to what potentially promises to be the best week of the year with the 3 Day
Casper Spectacular 30/31 Aug and 1 Sep. Then a "transit" day and 2 days off before the 2 Day at
Salt Lake on 5/6 Sep. This is almost unheard of, 5 trials in a week! Better have the "A" Game
turned on for this one! Now having looked at distances and travelling it would seem sensible to just
move directly to Sandia for their event  after a rest and laundry day back in Dolores.





Rivers, mud, and rocks..... in August!


 Later in the month there is the AHRMA/ITSA 2 Day at Ginder Ranch TN, which we did last year. A
good event in some great trials country but today with the cost of fuel it would cost around $3500
to do just that event!

 Casper and Donner are maybe my 2 favorites and Casper may have the edge as it has so much
variety with dry rock and loose dirt sections on one side of the site and then the rivers and rocks
by the start area and the rocks and mud up the hill leading over to the woods and nadgery sections.
3 days of this and I'll be in 7th Heaven.



 No idea what Jim Lipscombe has in store for us, but I'm sure it will be good, as long as he hasn't
put those "boxes" in. Jim? did you hear me..... JIM?

 Sandia has a rather special place this year as Mick Andrews will be there and may, just may, ride
one of my bikes, we will see.  The event was in the past a bit limited but last year a new section of
land was put into use and provided the much needed variety but either way as a technical trial I
have always enjoyed it.

 With no Dickson for us this year we just have Hollister and Napa Valley to round off the season
and I can't see Brenda forgoing this one under any circumstances!....... especially as it will be
OUR aniversary!







 Well I do get another slice of cake.


 Looking forward to the "Big Week"


Tony Down -3 puppies only 2 left!