THE ST VALENTINE'S  DAY MASSACRE





  No overnight rain this year so Day 2 of the Buckeye Bonanza or St Valentine's Day Massacre starts out
warm and sunny. I'm doing my Trialsmaster duties today, but I may ride a few sections as "demos"
after yesterday's epic on the Graded Hill. The cards are repositioned on the new hill and I've allowed a
cheater line on the bottom portion, but turn too early and your tires will get covered in some very sticky
mud.


 

Today's Graded Hill with "Team Becker" checking


 Today everyone wants to check so we have an observer overkill with 2 checkers on most sections.
Yes, its a family affair. After all the usual pre start delays we get underway more or less on time and
today I'm letting the big bikes start furthest back so that at least when they arrive at the "Hill" some sort
of line may have been established.

 Section 1 is back in the Pit and rides well for most people providing you follow the split cards and
yesterday's MC Exp Winner Jim Wagner fell foul of that.



 

Len Sims still on the "rigid" Cub having sold the other one for a Scorpa ?





Bob Strohman borrows Dan's Stealth Cub and cleans Section 1

 Section 2 is more of the Stumps group and this seemed to be to most peoples liking being fairly
simple up and over logs followed by some flowing full lock turns. Of note here was Ed who managed
a 5 when the log flicked him into neutral and Jim Wagner who once again missed a split.... boy he
must be really mad now !!!




Good steady riding from Shawn Warner in MC INT on Stumps 2 





Winter Trials Perfection as Don Kelley enjoys the flowing turns of Stumps





No problems this time for NC Ed on his way to a good Second place 
finish in MC INT


 Section 3, The Ironwood is easier this year and all slip through here without problems.

 But now its mark grabbing time! Section 4 rides exactly as I hoped for with the turns in the deep loose
sand providing a real humbling challenge for all. Not a single clean recorded on the first loop on any
line. YIPEEE!!!!!


 

Some rare lost marks from Dan Straka in the Sea of Sand

 The Palo Verde and rock wall of Section 5 is taking random marks but generally its not too difficult
and will not change on any line

 Out in the boondocks Section 6 with Debbie Poole seems to ride well with just a few errors.


 

Bob makes little of "Don's Delight" Section 6


 Back across the booney and into tank slapper wash and we are back at Rockery 2, Section 7 which
again is only catching a few but beware those split cards.

 Which brings us back to Doh !  The Graded Hill MK II of section 8, and here chaos reigns supreme.
Its already a blur of centipede legs and some wild wheelies as grip is suddenly found.


 John Dowson, fresh off a win yesterday, having moved up a class to MC INT gave us a spirited attack
but had a few moments with an aviating front wheel before finally getting out and Derek Belvoir found
that you can "loop" a Velo which it did right by the 5 boards! No damage to the bike but a serious ego
dent and a sore back of the head. The following pictures do little to show riding prowess, more to give
the reader an idea of the severity of the climb...... but do bear in mind footing IS allowed all the way and
is not penalised..... just where the front wheel stops.



Not a good idea to go in that mud ! 


 

The Greeves front end doesn't like it





Centipede style works




A good test for the boots




A fine attempt by Eric with just a few dabs





Pushing on .......





Is Bob's leg long enough ?





John has a better controlled 2nd attempt with a sneaky dab





Hmmmm, 4 stroke power from Rick Wolff







"These boots are made for footing...."  Rob Poole en-route to a Prem Hwy
Class Win




Eugene with 2 of his best rides ever... What a great weekend for him !




Even Jim got those boots working


Of course I'm not riding today but  once again someone says " Bet you can't ride that feet up!"  Here we
go again...... Day 2, Scene 1, Cameras, ...... Action......."Geico commercial, take 1"




"Does Tony Down ride a mean Graded Hill ?"





Just enough power to scale the first climb





A bit of "Body English" to drive up the groove  





A little "lift & flick" here and there

Plain sailing from 3 onwards if your feet are still on the pegs




" That's how you do it Son ! "


 I have to say I really enjoyed that and today it appears I definitely have my "A" game on.


 Up top the last of Ditches is Section 9 and Jim has found a cheater 1 line. Looks more difficult to me
but he uses it to good effect. Section 10, The Cliff  with Hugh and Jan in charge, is riding well and only a 
few are losing marks here so for the most part the trial will be won or lost in Section 4 "The Sea of Sand".
The second loop are all through here and still no cleans, the best being planned dabs or 2's.




 

Back at the Hill Steve Richardson from Canada has a much better ride



A more stylish attack from Jim Wagner


 By loop 3 the Graded Hill is broken in and I'm seeing a few feet up rides but over at the Sea of Sand
only that man Eugene Waggoner and Kelly Shane have achieved it. Stop for a chat with Jim and Silvia
and then I give it a go as I LIKE sand!  First corner good and now the reverse and the front starts to
plow but I manage to keep it weighted and drive sideways into the big hole and out for the clean.....
a lot of effort but very satisfying. 




Dan all at sea in "Sea of Sand"....... but I cleaned it !!!!...... need more of 
these next year !

 The day is done as is the weekend, smiling faces and awards given out. Those that are traveling are
on the road by 1430 so should put a big dent in their journey by nightfall. Meanwhile O' beer 30 has
been declared and this will not be good as the Irish contingent are in full swing already.


 

Irish Bridget reads John palm

 Everything loaded for an early departure time to reflect on today's results. In MC Experts Jim threw it
away with some dumb 5's missing splits until he got in the groove so Rick Daniel ran out the winner
on 13 to Jim's 22. In MC Int John had another fine win on 6 with Ed Peacock runner up on 12. Steve
Richardson had another 3rd place on 15 winning the tie break on most cleans. The MC Nov class
swapped wins to John Shadeck on the tie break with Jeff Latimer. Dan and Bob continued their class
wins astride Dan's Stealth Cub and in Prem Hwy Rob Poole had another win over  Kelly Shane. I have
to ask myself how I would have faired if I had been riding today. Best guess would have been about 3
lost in the Sand Sea and perhaps a dumb dab somewhere else so about 4 would have been my
projected score. Well roll on the next rounds and no more Mister Nice Guy with Eugene! 



 

Finally, Evelyn gets to relax after a hard working week





stories of the "hex" by Bridget

Once more the party is in full swing and man, that Irish Lady Bridget is funny, but don't get the wrong
side of her or she will put a "Hex" on you !!!!





Oh No, they have started dancing..........




TONY DOWN