CASPER’S A’COMING

Psssst, ……..Raeph and Priscilla its that time again!
Seems a long time since my last trials outing, and looking back it really has been! I’m cartainly not
used to this type of riding and don’t much care for these financially induced lay offs. Suddenly what
was in the far future is now less than a week away and I really need to get my act in gear and be ready
for the event.
When was the last event? well, there have only been TWO this year, the Buckeye Bonaza in Feb and
Cotopaxi in June! Not having ridden in all the rounds, even those at relatively short range I now find
myself well down the Championship table and I’m struggling to find enough events to get on even
terms.
A week today we need to be on the road as Brenda wants an “add on” this year with a little “wine
tasting” and night stop in the Palisades and Grand Junction area. That will work out fine and we
should be in Casper mid afternoon on Friday giving Saturday morning to get a little refamil on the
bike.
On the route at Palisades
3 events on terrain that I usually like and go well on so better get the mind set going and remember
how to do it. Casper really doesn’t suit the big bikes although my Enfield with it’s short wheelbase
does have a slight advantage but as I’m only contesting Classic Expert, in a half arsed way, this year
it will be another 3 outings on the Cub. I would love to be doing Tooele the following weekend but I’m
not sure how that will go down……. and maybe Milliken the following weekend. It is almost a lost
cause as Eugene has 112 points from his 6 rides to date and only needs 3 more wins this year to
secure the Championship as he has an age advantage over me. I need 4 wins and if this can be
achieved then I can keep Mister Smith and Rick Wolff at bay as they are younger than me. Eugene
certainly has the upper hand this year as I didn’t ride at Terlton and even if he rides against me at
Casper and Tooele he can still win overall if he goes to any of the Southern rounds at TTC, Barber
or Aonia Pass in GA which are way too far out of my stomping ground.
Getting a little riding time around the yard testing the Jumbo but I really need to check over the Cub
and Enfield and do some much needed work on the bus.
Getting to enjoy Ugly Betty
Balances well, and the clutch is now good
One of the most powerful 2T bikes I have ever ridden
Stop moaning, if there is a trials weekend then this it! The best sections, great location and 3 days to
enjoy. I have had good verging on great rides there and have also been unlucky a few times too, with
some stalling 5’s which have spoilt the day. With such a huge variety of sections there is something
for everybody, tight and I mean tight turns, big log crossings, water, mud, and a fair few rocks on the
hillsides, fantastic stream beds (my favorite) and some between the trees over the stump things
(my least favorite!). A lot of new sections last year to go with the tried and true and then there is always
lego land at the start with a mix of concrete things and logs. Of course I’m hoping there will be more of
the mud ones and also the stream beds and not too many of the clutch lover’s delights or running old
bikes over monster logs.
Deep water
A dose of real mud
Mud and water
Streambeds
My favorite section of 2009
Lego Land through the Diamond
More streambeds
Some big logs in the background that get nasty when wet !
Someone had better tell Raeph and Priscilla we are on our way again as their secret lover’s meeting
place by the babbling brook will all too soon be full of two stroke smoke and the crack of those 4RT’s
exhausts.
“Oh Raeph, did you hear, they are coming back to our secret place?”
With some testing done on the 350 Jumbo time to look at some rejetting on the Enfield. Last time I
tested her I nearly got the top end running cleanly on the 100 main but then went the wrong way on
the pilot and it was horrible! Into the workshop and change back down to a 35 as is was spot on in
Cave Creek at 2000′ with a 40 but up here at 7000′ it is a bit rich. A plug change was needed as well
but thereafter she ran as well as any 50 year old can considering age and weight. I often ponder how
to make something of this type lighter but I think it could only be done with a “cheater” frame and a
non Enfield front end.
Running well at 7000′
Turns VERY well……. tight turn left
Tight turn right……..
The short wheel base 50 year old
Still Bloody Heavy !!!
At 100lbs lighter the NO EXCUSE CUB can handle everything that Casper has to offer assuming the
rider can remember how to ! As it’s Sunday I’ll have her out this afternoon for a mini run and refresh
the memory banks with some balancing and tight turns.
Hello again
Perfect Balance…. NO EXCUSES, any department !
Bus got some attention with the broken front inner fender plate removed that was causing the most
God awful noise from a fractured piece of alloy that was banging on the chasis. Brenda decided it
was time to redo the bedroom ceiling as she didn’t like the water stains….. looks like a lot of work to
me. Tanks drained and filled and now time for fuel and LP gas. Currently running about 12 hours
behind schedule but, trailer swept out, bikes tested and loading could be done this evening if I’m up
to it.
Just keep your feet up Tony! That’s all there is to it…..
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