I’m baaaaaaaack
Apr.1 2008 at 21:13 by Griff WigleyWhere have I been? I’ve been in Tennessee for the past week, taking photos and video and blogging at the Trials Training Center, a client. And when I wasn’t working, I was playing and learning. Motorcycle trials is essentially obstacle course competition on a dirt bike. You ride over stuff trying not to put your feet down. (If you’re interested, see our Minnesota-based trials club site/blog called the Upper Midwest Trials Association.)
Left and center: me.
Right: a 15 year-old kid from Florida, playing on a rock. He held the bike in that position for several seconds, hopping up and down on the back wheel. I’m going to learn to do that when I’m older.
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Jerry Bilek April 2, 2008 12:33 pm
Great photos Griff. I want to see you in action though. Got any video?
I didn’t know there was a motorized version of trials…very cool. I’ve only ever seen the bike version and Hans “no-way” Rey
http://www.hansrey.com/
My bike envy just went way up.
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Griff Wigley April 2, 2008 12:43 pm
Yeah, Hans Rey and Ot Pi…. two of the best-known bicycle trials riders with the cool short names.
Alas, no video of me, Jerry. But here’s a clip of my instructor, Andrew, that I took. I’m sure I’ll be at his level Real Soon Now.
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Kurt Larson April 2, 2008 1:02 pm
Griff,
Give us the details of your bike,,,,,
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Jerry Bilek April 2, 2008 1:10 pm
He’s good, very good. I might have to start collecting logs and set up a course in my back yard.
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Bright Spencer April 2, 2008 1:32 pm
I am duly impressed by that video. It shows how you really have to let the bike become an extension of your own body.
I dropped my bike twice one year, and got it caught on fire last time I rode it.
And that was just plane ol riding. hehehe. Goes to show whimps shouldn’t try that stuff at home. But it was soo ooooo oooo much fun and a sense of freedom, once you know the road well.
Thanks for the memories, GW. Ohno, Gee Dub! ahahahahaaaaa! get it?
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Griff Wigley April 3, 2008 11:31 am
Kurt, my bike is a 2003 Montesa Cota 315 R. The Spanish Montesa factory in Barcelona is now owned by Honda. More at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montesa_Honda
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