bwolfe

Yes, he's finally crawled out of the pub and appears to be very much alive (though someone hopefully not from the trials community was ringing my phone at 6:30 am Saturday morning, this morning.... that was unpleasant...) Switched hotels to Channings. Cannot recommend the Caledonian hilton under any circumstance. Saved myself $1000 US by switching (and that's a lot of pints...) So the first three days of the week were solid work. Thursday night we had to have a proper visit to the pub, and last night to the Malt Whisky Society. Sending a message to Andy just now to discuss visiting the trial tomorrow. That means I'll need to go to the moto show today (I was primarily going hoping to find a belstaff trialsmaster coat... ). Of course, my mobile is useless here. Need to discuss that with my employer (it's their phone). That's very inconvenient... So, off to the high street to shop for the kiddies, then to the bus to the motorcycle show to see what that's about. No pub today! Hopefully Andy can connect with me (i his his number now) and we'll show up a the trial tomorrow.. Bentley

Well, here I am in Edinburgh. Cold, gray and rainy (as expected!). Perfect trials weather. Still haven't decided what to do for the weekend. Too many options. If I stay in Edinbinburgh then I see the trial is still on for the 13th so I may drop in there for a visit, take some pics.. I'd hate to come all this way and not meet Andy. But circumstances might prevent that from happening. We'll see eh? Bbbent

Well, depends on if you mean the work-plans or the social-plans.. Work-wise..I still have an entire trianing to create, plus some other prep work. I'm not too worried though. I can work on the plane, and at the hotel (or at the pub with a pint! That sounds like the best choice) But my travel advance is in place (very $ trip...) and my tickets are here. Just need to go buy a new suitcase and dig up my passport. I'm all good. Socially still trying to coordinate with Andy, but I'm sure something will work out. I'm really looking forward to this trip. Once the trainings are rolling the work will actually be pretty easy, and it's a nice break from taking care of the family. Really looking forward to getting a full night's sleep! -- Regards, Bentley Wolfe Senior Support Engineer, Macromedia Senior Escalation Engineer, Flash Webmaster: http://www.wisconsintrials.org http://www.madisonmotorcycleclub.org http://www.megamousa.com

To minimise the risk of long term mental scarring, please ensure that you are as p****d as possible first though... Difficult to say who might be scarred more from this momentous meeting.. bbbent

Sorry nope, it's the 20th, you'll see when you get your calendar next week. D Too bad that didn't work out.. At this point I think I'm not even going to bring my gear. I'll just go to the scottish show on saturday and then on Sunday do something touristy (highlands? suggestions?) and do some gift shopping for the family.. My scottish peers have my schedule for those two days listed as "drinking and bikes". And at some point meet Andy. That's got to happen... -- Regards, Bentley Wolfe Senior Support Engineer, Macromedia Senior Escalation Engineer, Flash Webmaster: http://www.wisconsintrials.org http://www.madisonmotorcycleclub.org http://www.megamousa.com

XBoost disappointed me. I contacted them re going out and doing a free feature on them and the services on offer. Never even bothered to reply. Same thing happened to me. Sent email, no reply. .. Andy, send me a PM with some contact info (i sent you one the other day) -- Regards, Bentley Wolfe Senior Support Engineer, Macromedia Senior Escalation Engineer, Flash Webmaster: http://www.wisconsintrials.org http://www.madisonmotorcycleclub.org http://www.megamousa.com

Sam, how was it? I'm not doing much biketrial this year. But we're still going to have our comp in September. I'll post info later in the summer in Baraboo... -- Regards, Bentley Wolfe Senior Support Engineer, Macromedia Senior Escalation Engineer, Flash Webmaster: http://www.wisconsintrials.org http://www.madisonmotorcycleclub.org http://www.megamousa.com

I think you may have just made my day. Thanks! Bent

Bent - I ain't letting you get so close and not hook up. I'm not about much at the mo, but drop me a line offline and we'll sort something out. I couldn't remember quite where you were. I'll get in touch soon (when I can get our from under this huge pile of work..) bbbent

When the Scottish Motorcycle show was run by Robbie Allan it was an excellent event to visit but it has gone seriously downhill in the last couple of years when the management/owners changed. Dont know if I would recommend a visit or not any more? Well, look at it this way. I have to spend the weekend, I know like 3 people in the entire country. So any motorcycle show would be better than sitting in the hotel or shopping. Now, if I could swing some way to -ride- a club trial that Sunday that would make the whole trip. Anybody have any ideas on bike rental? So moto show on Saturday, Club trial on Sunday and then maybe stay an extra night in Belfast and go to world indoor the following weekend. This trip is starting to sound worthwhile! Bentley

Damn. just realized i get there the day after the scottish ends. Grrrrr . Can't really change the dates of the trip at this point in time either.. bbbent

Well, it looks like i'm going to be working in Edinborough for 2 weeks in march. That gives me a free weekend.. Any local events could come out to? Not necessarily to ride (haven't been riding this year. i'd ride crap!) i was thinking i might stay an extra day and go to Belfast for the indoor (saturday after). Then fly home sunday. Something tells me that plans' not going to fly with the wife though... -- Regards, Bentley Wolfe Senior Support Engineer, Macromedia Flash Senior Escalation Engineer Owner, MEGAMO MIDWEST - Megamo Biketrial Bikes! Support TEAM MEGAMO MIDWEST! Webmaster: http://www.wisconsintrials.org, http://www.madisonmotorcycleclub.org, http://www.megamousa.com

I did this school when Ryan and Wayne hosted it in 2001. It was phenomenal. I strongly recommend it to riders of any skill level. Do be prepared to ride ALL day until you're exhausted... Wayne, I'm sending this to some new riders from Wisconsin. Hopefully they'll be able to attend... -- Regards, Bentley Wolfe Senior Support Engineer, Macromedia Flash Senior Escalation Engineer Owner, BIKETRIAL MIDWEST (formerly TEAM MEGAMO MIDWEST) Webmaster: http://www.wisconsintrials.org http://www.madisonmotorcycleclub.org http://www.megamousa.com

You have to watch for that stuff. Saturday on the 2nd loop Raga's minders put two rocks in the end of my section (14, at the drop of the next to last rock).. While Adam was beginning the section I kindly kicked them back out. But I have to agree with Mike.. it's tough and you're all welcome to do it next time. Consider also that yes, we got some money (enough to cover expenses only if you live close to Duluth and camp instead of getting a room!) BUT we don't get to see much riding! You guys get to see it all.. Even if you have a late numbered section by the time the top pros are getting to the first 4 sections it's time to head back to check the juniors. One note for SCA.. We definitely -can- improve on the consistency of our scoring, and I'll personally volunteer to be a part of this effort should the WR come back to Duluth in the future. The first thing we have to do is get rid of the NATC tape. It introduces more confusion than it solves. We can put the FIM animations on CD and distribute that, with a printed copy of the world round rules. Then, as two years ago, we can attempt to get out to club events earlier in the season and have WR checking training, much like Martin did for WOTA in 2002. And don't let all this whining effect you. You guys do a great job.. -- Regards, Bentley Wolfe Senior Support Engineer, Macromedia Flash Senior Escalation Engineer Owner, soon-to-be-renamed TEAM MEGAMO MIDWEST Webmaster: http://www.wisconsintrials.org http://www.madisonmotorcycleclub.org http://www.megamousa.com

It's because you got moto boots.. They're designed for protection and sliding your feet! Trials boots are designed more for flexibilty. You can walk sections in them.. Of course, if you hit a big rock ripping down the loop they don't protect as well as moto boots. But personally I find moto boots impossible to trials in (and then if I get on an enduro or moto bike I feel like i've got cement blocks on my feet...) -- Regards, Bentley Wolfe Senior Support Engineer, Macromedia Flash Senior Escalation Engineer Owner, soon-to-be-renamed TEAM MEGAMO MIDWEST Webmaster: http://www.wisconsintrials.org http://www.madisonmotorcycleclub.org http://www.megamousa.com

Hey Sam, Did I mention that I bought a unicycle last saturday at a yard sale for $2.00???? Not a trials unicycle, just a plain old unicycle. Kind of rusty. That thing is very, very difficult to learn to ride!! I'm giving it a couple of minutes a day (and i"m going to start wearing my moto helmet too I think..) -- Regards, Bentley Wolfe Senior Support Engineer, Macromedia Flash Senior Escalation Engineer Owner, soon-to-be-renamed TEAM MEGAMO MIDWEST Webmaster: http://www.wisconsintrials.org http://www.madisonmotorcycleclub.org http://www.megamousa.com

Oops, read my calendar wrong. The proposed date to move it to is August 14/15.. So far everyone seems OK with it. My only concern is notifying folks who might not be online. Bentley

Noel has asked me to start some dicussion about moving the Dickeyville/Platteville event back one weekend. It's currently scheduled for August 7/8. However, that's the immediate weekend after the Haggis Basher 2 day in Duluth. This doesn't allow much time for the guys to set it up. So the proposal is that we move Dickeyville/Platteville to August 15/16. Please comment. I'm sending this to our dicussion group at http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/WIMNtrials/ and posting it to several other locations such as UMTA.org and trialscentral.. -- Regards, Bentley Wolfe Senior Support Engineer, Macromedia Flash Senior Escalation Engineer Owner, MEGAMO MIDWEST - Now selling Megamo Biketrial Bikes! Support TEAM MEGAMO MIDWEST! Webmaster: http://www.wisconsintrials.org, http://www.madisonmotorcycleclub.org, http://www.megamousa.com

Team Megamo Midwest has been pushing forward with our competition and demo season. This past weekend the team traveled to the 1st Annual Northern Indiana Trials Competition and brought back some great results across the board, making re of a name or our team. Our sport level rider Alex Belmont took second place in his class, his best result ever. In the expert class a potential rider for TMM, Pat Smage (Youth National Mototrial champ,) claimed a strong third, and Peter Hellenbrand ran away with the win in the Expert class. More important than the results was the fun had by all at the event. There was lots of sharing tips and technique as well as the ever important trying other riders bikes to see how they feel and work. Someone has posted pics on http://www.kcvelo.com. -- Regards, Bentley Wolfe Senior Support Engineer, Macromedia Flash Senior Escalation Engineer Owner, MEGAMO MIDWEST - Now selling Megamo Biketrial Bikes! Support TEAM MEGAMO MIDWEST! Webmaster: http://www.wisconsintrials.org, http://www.madisonmotorcycleclub.org, http://www.megamousa.com

Sam, you're making me regret my decision to not go. I hope the event is awesome and everybody loves it and you want to do it again next year. Then I can make it a part of our championship! -- Regards, Bentley Wolfe Senior Support Engineer, Macromedia Flash Senior Escalation Engineer Owner, MEGAMO MIDWEST - Now selling Megamo Biketrial Bikes! Support TEAM MEGAMO MIDWEST! Webmaster: http://www.wisconsintrials.org, http://www.madisonmotorcycleclub.org, http://www.megamousa.com

Well, i was -going- to go. But with Sunday being mother's day I've decided to stay home and take my pregnant wife flower shopping on Saturday instead. Really wanted to go, but I'm currently without a bicycle to ride and out of practice. So rather than just embarass myself I can do a little good by not going. ;0 However, all of Team Megamo Midwest will be there (Paul, Peter and Alex) plus I'm 99% mototrial Youth National Champ Pat Smage is going to go along. I already worked it out with his mom. Hey Sam, do report back to me on how you find the trial. Next year Team MMW is going to be sponsoring a complete midwest regonal biketrial championship. I've got 3 locations lined up in WI, and I'd like to add an Indiana event and possibly one in Illinois.. So for indiana it's either this one (if they do it again) or something at badlands.. As for a Fantic comeback. well Craig I don't know. I liked that bike a lot, and I'd like to put it in the garage. But I have some higher priorities to attend to first. I know the Fantic name has been purchased and that the new owners are currently developing some gear and have bikes in the works, but who knows what will happen? -- Regards, Bentley Wolfe Senior Support Engineer, Macromedia Flash Senior Escalation Engineer Owner, MEGAMO MIDWEST - Now selling Megamo Biketrial Bikes! Support TEAM MEGAMO MIDWEST! Webmaster: http://www.wisconsintrials.org, http://www.madisonmotorcycleclub.org, http://www.megamousa.com

Aha! I finally beat Andy to some WOTA stuff! Who says I never update the web site? Well, a lot of people say that, because last year that was true. But this year I'm on the ball. So no story yet. Waiting for Craig the PR guy to send that here to TC, then I'll get a copy. But I put some pics up on http://www.wisconsintrials.org/. In other news... I only rode 2 event days last year, and this year I haven't ridden at all. Sold my bike to finance some home stuff. Just hanging out. So I've been thinking about riding Vintage next season just to cut costs and see how the air-cooled crowd hangs.. Well, I was encouraged to spend the day yesterday riding an '83 Fantic. And somehow I won the class on that thing. Does that mean I have to buy it? -- Regards, Bentley Wolfe Senior Support Engineer, Macromedia Flash Senior Escalation Engineer Owner, MEGAMO MIDWEST - Now selling Megamo Biketrial Bikes! Support TEAM MEGAMO MIDWEST! Webmaster: http://www.wisconsintrials.org, http://www.madisonmotorcycleclub.org, http://www.megamousa.com

are you sure? I got a 404 error on that page.. You've got to type it like this: http://www.geocities.com/utahtrials/ (with the trailing slash) -- Regards, Bentley Wolfe Senior Support Engineer, Macromedia Flash Senior Escalation Engineer Owner, MEGAMO MIDWEST - Now selling Megamo Biketrial Bikes! Support TEAM MEGAMO MIDWEST! Webmaster: http://www.wisconsintrials.org, http://www.madisonmotorcycleclub.org, http://www.megamousa.com

Funny, people keep asking me that. "Where you been"? I'll tell you all what I told Wayne thais this morning (copy/paste....) Haven't really -gone- anywhere though. Just haven't had anything to say.. I did go to Motorama in PA in February. Just to support my bicycle trials team. I didn't ride, just managed and hung out. I got to ride Paul Philbrick's brand-y new '04 Sherco. Sweeeeeeeet. But I don't think I have the budget for a new bike.. read on... "I've been pretty quiet. Winter does that to me. I hibernate. Perhaps I should move to a warmer climate? Of COURSE I'm still riding trials! Sort of. I sold my beta and I'm somewhat "in-between bikes". My wife and I are having a baby in July, and there were a lot of other things around the house that needed doing. So I had an opportunity to sell my Beta and I took it. I was thinking I'd replace it when I got my tax money, but I wound up paying bills with that. So I'm on hold for this season, riding-wise. I am, however, very active in WOTA. I'm the Vice President this year. Just spent several days setting up our upcoming first trial at Cross Plains (this Sunday). I'm also a section captain for one of the WOTA world round sections. So I get to hold the yellow card... So for this year I'm just organizing and planning for next year's riding and for having kid #5 (I have 3, my wife has 1, now we'll have the final one together.) Hope for a boy! Other than that I've got a garage full of project bikes that I've had for YEARS that really need attention. So thats my biggest motorcycle goal for 2004: Get those projects done.. I've got a '70 Triumph T100C (single carb 500) that I've had since 1992! It's been apart since then too! That thing deserves the love. I'm looking to redo it as a vintage enduro bike/ice racer. It was running when I took it apart, just a matter of money and motivation to get it back into some kind of shape again. After that there's a mid 80's XR100 basket case that I supposedly "bought for the kids" a few years ago. That's the one I'm working on mostly right now. Not quite sure what I'm gonna do with it. But XR100' are great flattrack training bikes, and that's something I'm interested in (there is more to motorcycling than trials! I like to be diverse...) Also am picking up an XR75 that doesn't need anything. The kids can ride that as soon as I get it.. Oh, and there's a '75 RD350 street racer project in there somewhere too. And this is after I SOLD some bikes before I moved to WI!!! It's a disease!! So trials-wise I probably won't ride until next season. I'm supposed to be looking at a very nice vintage Fantic this weekend. I'm trying to decide if I want to come back next season riding modern or possibly spend a year riding vintage. I have an old house that needs a lot of work, so I'm trying to be careful about where I spend my money.." -- Regards, Bentley Wolfe Senior Support Engineer, Macromedia Flash Senior Escalation Engineer Owner, MEGAMO MIDWEST - Now selling Megamo Biketrial Bikes! Support TEAM MEGAMO MIDWEST! Webmaster: http://www.wisconsintrials.org, http://www.madisonmotorcycleclub.org, http://www.megamousa.com