alan bechard

I think most of us are just going like heck to recover and get back to work! I spent most of the day washing, cleaning an putting up. I know many families are still on the road trying to get back home. All in All it was a great time, the Youth Camp worked out better than I ever thought it would. It was well put together, and well attended. Having the extra time allowed my kids to absorb and use the information more, and then go back in the afternoon or the next day and refresh, or ask again about what they did not quite get. The competition itself was great. My kids did well, and most importantly had a great time. The bikes all went well but as several people can attest I was nervous as I could be on Sunday Morning when Dean had to cross the creek on the little bike (Sherco 50) and it was washing on my boots when I crossed! It went flawlessly though, and the TTC crew had Steve Glinski (sp) there to help those that needed it across. What was that line Dan???? 30% likelyhood of Sunshine????!!!!!!! It was great, the weather was cool even if it was a bit more than damp at times! The kids did not seemed phased in the least by it, and if you got your mind right, it was rather fun riding in the rain. We have to get out the farmers Almanac or something but I wonder when the last time it rained like that on the fourth??? Anyway, to those of you that were not there, you missed a heck of a good time. It came off well and I certainly hope it follows a similar format next year!

Well, in my fine form, I lost the info on posting my front page stuff, it was probably with the pillows that we forgot to bring and the water shoes that were in the trailer and we did not find until today!!!!! I have the full results but for some reason the large keyboard is not working so I am typing laptop. I type worse than I ride so you guys can imagine what that is like!!!!! Age 6 1 Brooks Davis, Beta 2 Isaiah Cullum, Sherco Age 7 1Dean Bechard, Sherco 2 Zeke Mizell, GG 3 Rebecca Leavitt GG 4 Matthew Powers Beta 8 Nick Commo, Beta Jacob Smith, GG Morgan Heffler Beta 9 1 Chase Harker Sherco 2 Michael Patton GG 10 1 Bryan Roper, Beta 2 Bo Ibsen, Sherco 3 Daniel Leavitt, Beta 4 Marcus Bannister, Yamaha 5 Kameron Jenkins, Sherco 6 Joshua Nutsch, GG 7 Andrew Sinks, GG 8 Jordan Robison Amigo 9 James Hensley Beta 10 Amanda Ives, Beta 11 Michael Meadows, Sherco Age 11 1 Eric Storz Sherco 2 David Mizell GG 3 Joseph Mason Beta 4 Taylor Duval Sherco 5 Stacey Eden Sherco 6 Karl Davis Jr. Sherco 7 Caroline Allen Beta Age 12 1 Andrew Oldar Sherco 2 Ben McIntosh Sherco 3 Chad Redman GG 4 Caleb Mizell GG 5 David Aldo Jr. Beta 6 Dean Baumert Sherco 7 Dakota Woolums Beta Age 13 1 Will Abell GG 2 Alex Bedley Sherco 3 William Altman Beta 4 Neil Storz Sherco Age 14 1 Charlie Ives Beta 2 Alex Conklin Beta 3 Miles Palmer Aprilia Open (15 year olds and kids wanting more challenge) 1 Louise Forsley Sherco 2 Daniel Allen GG 3 MAtt Koenig Sherco 4 Cody Manning Sherco 5 Ron Commo III Beta 6 Kevin Scott GG 7 Josiah Mizell GG 8 Matt Cullum Sherco Womens 4 Line 1 Stephanie Commo Beta 2 Rebecca Leavitt GG 3 Amy Baumert Sherco Womens 3 Line 1 Cheryl Sloggy GG 2 Caroline Altman Beta 3 Amanda Ives Beta 4 Sara Patton GG Womens 2 Line 1 Laurie Placa Beta 2 Jessica Smith Beta 3 Christina Bechard Sherco 4 Caroline Allen Beta Womens 0 Line Louise Forsley Sherco Exhibition riders Anthony Pettingill Sherco Ryan Davis GG Ryan Renfroe GG Nathan Glinski GG Well, I am done typing for the night, going down to the cabin to drink another Corona with my wife, Doug, Blaine and whomever else is hanging about at the cabin. It was a good competition today, time was tight and folks needed to stay with it to finish on time. Will try and get pictures sorted, Hanna was playing with some this evening sorting good from bad and we will try and figure something out, but realisticly it will be next week. Will try and get the full results in a spreadsheet to post, probably just mail it to Andy for posting. Thanks to all that are making this Youth National possible.

Hello everybody, I'll add my 2 cents to Al's comments from yesterday. We just concluded day 3 of the camp with about 35 - 40 kids participating, plus numerous adults. Everyone has had a fantastic time and the weather has cooperated after a rainy morning of day 1. Actually the rain was good, as they all needed the experience and really seemed to benefit from it. Creek sections have nice water now, not too much but enough to keep it interesting. All the kids ride in groups of like ability each morning until noon. Their progress in 3 days has been amazing. Much thanks to all the instructors, including Tommi Ahvala, Ray Peters, David Chavez, Bruce & Brent LeRiche, Charlie Roberts, Jake Wieland, and Steve Glinski. They all came in smiling and seemed to enjoy the kids. Brent has a few bruises, as he was the designated "catcher" for kids on the hillclimb practice! But he is young and heals quickly. Monday afternoon was swimming at Foster Falls, a huge waterfall nearby. We also visited the Sequatchie Cave. The waterfall was running big after the morning rain. Tuesday afternoon was the hayride to the Sequatchie Cove Farm, thanks to Kelsey for driving the tractor. I hope the chickens and sheep have recovered. The rope swing seemed to be a big hit. Later went swimming in Sawmill Creek on the TTC property, and several kids took the plunge off Bilbao Falls into the pool below. Pretty cold water coming out of those limestone springs, but they didn't seem to mind. Today the rains came again in the afternoon, but after everyone had already gotten in a good morning of practice. Angela and Ashley (the Brown girls) organized games in the Pavillion, including the 3 legged trials section, the log roll, and the obstacle course to be completed after 15 circles around a ball bat with your head down on it to make you dizzy. All of the kids won prizes and ate watermellon and seemed to have a grand time. Tomorrow we visit the Tennessee Aquarium as I think they all need a break from all that riding before the competition on Fri-Sat-Sun. Most of them seem pretty tired by tonight and a lot of the kids have been riding almost nonstop including afternoons & evenings when we're not occupying them with something else. A crew from Speed channel came up and filmed all day Tuesday and said they plan to come back at least one day duriing the weekend to get some footage of the competiton. Lots of great interviews with kids, I think it will be a great story. Watch for it on 2-wheel Tuesday on Speed channel in a couple of weeks. Also look for a story in Moto-kids magazine. By the way, Al B. hung a great big "Trials Central" banner in the Pavillion along with our great sponsors, GasGas USA and Ryan Young Products. Many thanks to all the volunteers who help make this possible. It is very rewarding to me personally to see so many youngsters participating and having fun with trials. Look out "across the pond" maybe the next Bernie Schreiber is here getting ready! But regardless of that, I think a lot of families will have some great memories to share in the years to come. regards, Dan Brown p.s. we'll get some photos up on the website soon: www.trialstrainingcenter.com

Hi Gang, have been quite a bit here as of late, we have been tremendously busy in all areas of my life, and just have not taken the time to write and let others know what is going on. But I realize as I am speaking to folks here at the YN camp how important these communications are. For those of you that are not here too meet face to face, I cannot tell you enough how much you are missing. The YN truly brings out the things that are the best in Trials too me. We came in Sunday afternoon and have just been going a mile a minute since then. Sunday afternoon we had the ice cream social get together, I got to meet uncle Charlie and son Zach finally, saw the Commo's the Leavitt's, the Sherco gang and many other old friends while meeting new ones. Monday morning saw the classes getting started and the kids going out with the great group of instructors that they have here. I was able to sit back and watch 2 different groups and see the great interactions that the instructors were having with the kids. It started raining at the end of the first session and the die hards went out for the second round at 10:30 in the pouring rain. Ben and Christina both participated and had a good time, thankfully it was warm, while Dean and I sat that session out and spent some time together in the cabin. In the afternoon, we went to a huge waterfall with approximately a 60' fall that was running very heavy from the rains that day. The weather had cleared and it was goergeous. A true sight to see that I will be sure to return too in the future. The kids swam and played together and we all ate watermelon there at the park before going back to TTC. This morning was clear and beautiful. The kids got out in their classes steadily improving their skills and working with the dedicated instructors. While it was "group" instruction, each child got all the one on one instruction they needed. There is a great group of caring, dedicated and experienced instructors here working with these kids that is included in the price of the camp. In the afternoon they arranged for a hayride to a nearby farm and looked around at the farm. Somehow, Dean caught a chicken and decided he wanted to keep it?????? Thankfully, Dan and others got him straightened around on the right track and they decided PECKY would be happier where he was. When they came back a big group got together and went up to Bilboa falls and played in the water, and on the 3 waterfalls there. I missed that trip but apparently it was a real hoot for everyone involved. They had a big bonfire tonight and roasted hot dogs, marshmallows and made smores. Dean and Christina were out running around with new and old friends as I came up to the lodge to write a bit about what is going on. At any particular point in the day you can look around and see all the best that trials has to offer going on. Bicycle trials, Unicycle stuff, and of course, Motorcycle trials and training going on, but most importantly too me, you see the camraderie and the good times that go with assosciating with the Trials riding community. More to come, If you have any specifics you have questions about, let me know and I will do my best to answer them. Wish you were here with us, but there is still time too get here!!!!

e-mail me at work Terry. Some we can and some (Scorpa) we cannot.

Thanks, that seems to be the consensus. Of course, there is not much demand because there are none available???? Was that the chicken or the egg? Thanks for asking Endo.

1 June 04 Yep, still taking care of the cleanup and sorting out. 16 May we got Doug's backyard relocated to his back yard. Had to deal with the regular stuff, flat tire on the trailer (the one he just had replaced) but it all went pretty smooth really. Called the Porta pottie company and got a total bill, about $225 for the porta potties, Hanna is sending that in today. Have been having fun with the sections up and being able to ride them. Spoke with the Landowner and it was OK with him if we left them up. I will need to Police them up as they start to tear down and get ragged, but it is nice to have some definition to the lines. Wondering about doing it again next year, if we do, what would we do differently, what would we do the same? Oh, and the guy that lent me the tent picked it up out of my garage this weekend. That is nice for it to be gone. I was very thankful to have it though I can tell you!

Not a whole lot of OEM support for Mechatechno Amigo bikes in the states. Mike Komer at the Tryals shop brought them in for a bit? and has some parts, but no longer brings them in to the best of my knowledge. The Beta's and Sherco's that have this size come in with Cheng Shin, as well as the other Amigo that we have seen.

Actually, I can probably re-phrase with Brian's permission. ANY 19" Trials pattern tire available other than the Cheng Shin? It just happens that we now know that the Michelin has been made becuase he has one. Of course Michelin USA denies all knowledge of such, but that is another story. Any help, ideas, suggestions, rude comments, hey, to heck with you guys we are not going to bother looking in one of the many bike shops that have Trials stuff here and see if they have anything, Greatly appreciated. I do not think anyone is overly impressed by the Cheng Shin's performance, but it does seem to be the only game in town, well, maybe country is more accurate. Thanks for looking guys.

I will be hosting a demo for some special children here in the local area (Clarksville, TN) on Thursday, 17 June 04 at 9 Am. More information about Camp Rainbow can be found here. http://www.bikerswhocare.org/camp2003/index.htm I am looking for Other riders or workers willing to help and make this a success. Suggestions for obstacles, challenges, props. Ways of bringing the children "INTO" the show while in no way placing them in any danger, even if things go wrong. Trials Training Center has stepped up to the plate and at least one of their current champ riders will be there to support this effort! (Thank You!) I have an offer of a 16' trailer that will be donated to us that we could modify into a trials demo trailer, suggestions on what to do or build would be appreciated.

I think part of the problem with bleeding trials brakes is the extremely small volume of fluid that is displaced with each stroke of the Master cylinder. Personally, I doubt they would work well in a trials application, but would be interested to hear how they do.

I think this will work. http://www.theleafchronicle.com/news/stori...rts/438649.html Not sure how long it will stay up. And my apologies to Curt especially.

18 May 04 Hmm, it is hard wrapping things up. Still have the tent in my garage, cannot touch base with the guy to get it back too him. Need to wash the sidewalls as well. Hanna went out and got the porta potties picked up yesterday. I need to call and get settled up with them. The rains are keeping the stadium sections where they are at the moment. Every time it gets dry enough to get in there with the trucks and tractors to get it out, it rains again. The newspaper reporter that I invited out got his story wrote and printed. About 2/3 of a page in the local newspaper including 2 large photo's of the kids riding. Couple of typo's, misquotes and misunderstandings, (maybe I mumbled) but all in all I thought it came out really excellent with a great positive portrayal of the sport. I will see if I can find a way to link to it or something. Still not wrapped up all the way with money etc. Still owe some of the folks and need to wrap that stuff up.

e-mail Ryan direct at ryan@rypusa.com or go to thier website at www.rypusa.com They should be able to answer any of your questions.

Have his drums dialed in pretty well, he is getting some decent nose wheelies with it. Looking at moving him to an 80 in a couple of months, so just holding my breath at the moment, and working on what he breaks!

Yep, I am out fishing for information. Christina's bike started being called the Pizza bike when Ishy rode it in the SSDT. Someone correct me, but I think they called it that because surely nobody would ride one of those little things in the SSDT, he must just be out there delivering pizza's. (Andy, Ishy, feel free to throw the true story in here!) Somebody could look around for me and see if they see Michelin tires in that 17" size over there in Europe. I know they have been made in the past, Brian just got an Amigo that had one on it. I am also thinking of doing a couple of Bechard Mod's to one when I get one, but would like to get some real world insight from folks riding them before I start changing stuff.

10 May 04 Trying to wrap up and do some conclusions. Just not enough hours in the day. I work in support of the finest military division in the world and they are keeping me hopping as of late, trying to clean up from the event and my sister and law and her husband and two kids are here with us for two weeks. Been a touch busy along the way, oh yeah, and it is spring time and the wifes landscaping and lawncare business, otherwise known as the Alan's riding fund is kicking into gear! Anyway the things I did not want to say on the net two weeks ago. I got out Saturday morning and looked at the property after it had rained for the previous week and the bottom area was flooded. Lost 8 of my sections, and the water was at the foot of some other sections. For those of you reading that were at the event. Section 5 on Sunday, the Ledges, the water was even with the top of the ledge early Saturday morning. Want to talk about wanting to cry. Nothing to do but to regroup, reroute the loop, work out what we could use and what we could not and plan for the worse. The Leriche Brothers and Charlie & Alex were a great help, we basicly looked around with Blaine and laid the sections in. We did use the section mentioned earlier with the big Jump, and true to their word, they jumped the darn thing. It may not have been much to them, but my jaw dropped when I saw them do it! Ryan did it as well, and he gave it the big eye I can tell you before doing it. It rained all night Saturday night so about 10pm while Blaine and I were sitting down for supper we worked out what to drop and what to change and what to roll back for the Sunday event. Sunday morning started at 4 and we were on scene by 6 resetting sections as scheduled. We backed almost everything off one full level, even though some folks did not think we did! Got to go heavy lightning here! Spater

Anyone have one that is willing to share thoughts, comments or ideas.

Where are you at Endo? I have found that mostly what I need to do to get observers for the Youth Trials, is ASK, Plain, Simple straightforward. HEY! JOE, I NEED YOU TO CHECK THIS SECTION for the kids. At this point we have a core group that step to the plate and make this happen for us. Most people will do it, but they must be asked. I would rather the parents not do it myself, as I want them picking JR up and getting him going again when he bites the dust. As to observers at the regular trial, again it is ASK, and then make darn sure that you treat them right. Make certain that you get enough to share the load around so you are not working them to death. Make certain that you laid your sections in with the observer in mind. Bring them food, bring them water, shelter and company. Get them someone out there so they have a bathroom break. Get the sections where they can see a little something. Have more than one per section so they have someone to talk with. Check on them often so that they do not feel they are hanging out there forgoten. Give a set END TIME to the event. All too often we do this thing that "I will start the sweep at 3:30, well, the guy at section 8 has no idea when he will be done. People are a lot more ameanable to "hey, I will sweep as soon as possible, but at the latest you will be out by 4. Insure you send out a sweep guy to help them get back and make sure they know to come in. Take care of your observers. Back your observers on thier calls. Do NOT tolerate a rider bullying observers, they will not come back. Make it a point to thank the observers repeatedly. Without them, the whole affair does not happen. Do what you say for your observers, if you tell them something, make sure you follow through. OK, I will climb down off my soapbox. I just ran a two day event on 40 acres, 10 sections each day, 4 loops, minimum 2 checkers on each section, some with 3 and some with 4 to help people through. I do not believe I saw a line at any point of over 8 riders at any one point other than the initial starts. We had 73 riders one day and I believe 64 the next. I think most (I hope all) the checkers I had were pleased with the way they were treated and will be back next year. We run a seperate youth event and Ian rounded up 4 seperate checkers each morning for that as well. ( although I think I saw Dwight do both) There has been talk of money, entry fee etc. I think that the mandatory work day for championship points, combined with being treated well as a checker, is what keeps people willing to do it.

29 April We are real close, working every night, doing a lot and accomplishing a lot and the usual hassel of trying to do things and things not going your way. Flat tire last night on trailer moving the stadium stuff in, Tire shops were closed, Doug taking care of it today. Got to set the tent tonight. Most sections laid in, couple of details to work out yet, but real close on all, very do able. Added some height to one of the stadium sections yesterday for the champs. Can you say, "Cable Spools"??????? Weather has been perfect all week. I am holding my breath and crossing my fingers and saying a little prayer along the way that it holds. Will post more about these final days after when I get time to reflect. I am looking forward to it being done, and very excited at the same time. And my wife is definetely READY for it to be done! Picking up the Trials Central Banner today! Hope it looks like the artwork I gave them!

Track down Chuck West of TMI, he and Art built many of the US ones here. Last I heard he was still in the Cookville, Crossville, TN area. Also, Bill Catogni of Florida built at least one, and I am pretty sure several over the years. It would not suprise me if he still had some about. He is in the Orlando area. I had one that he built a while back. (early 80's) I am sorry, but I just have to ask, WHY?

24 April Am I glad I have such a supportive wife! None of this would be possible without her. Things are going well, we got a tremendous amount of work done this weekend! Bunches of folks showed up to help and get things sorted out. The Leriche brothers came up and put the Champ eye on the sections! Some of this stuff should be spectacular to say the least!!!!! The best quote of the day was when one of them said, "if you leave this open it will be too easy, we will just jump this ditch" Well this ditch is 15' across and 15' deep! We tried to get Dwight to go to the bottom so we could accurately measure it and he would not! Anyway, Jessie and I looked at each other and said, " Heck, I want to see this easy stuff!" so Jessie is observing that one and it is laid out with that as an option! And you can bet I will be there to see that "Easy Line" done! Full report later, probably after the event! But it is going well with some glitches! Cross your fingers and wish me luck!

22 April Raining still, will be interesting putting in the Stadium stuff this weekend. Coordinating to see what tractor / truck / trailer combinations we have that will work the best and most efficiently. Coordinating with Blaine for him to come in this weekend. Started sending flyers out and contacting / reminding folks about the event coming up. Considered a direct mail campaign, but with limited (actually no, measurable) response to it last year might just let that one slide. Have the tasks laid out for the weekend, see how it pans out. Stadiums and mowing, Doug and the Wallace Gang. Trail marking Brian Finish Section marking / splits, Blaine and myself Anyone else that shows ie the Rednecks or such will help with section clearing etc. Hope it works out well.

21 April 04 Raining cats and dogs and stepped in a Poodle today. Well, OK, I aint so funny, but the wife runs a lawncare / landscaping business and so she had some time so I called up to get the Porta Pottie's delivered. 4 each, hope that is the right number, hate to have smelling stinky facilities, but hate to pay too much $$$$ as well. $55 each. The guy wanted the wife to sign a release that she would be liable for any towing charges if he got stuck. He did not , but I cannot imagine getting my wife to do something that she does not want to do, Trust me, I try a lot! Putting out the calls to get observers and workers for the event, crossing my fingers that the weather will cooperate. Hoping to get folks out this final weekend to wrap it up. Wondering about how to work the differences in the champs / experts skill levels between clubs. Think we have a good handle on that. Dad is back from the Phillipines and headed this way shortly (13 hour drive one way for you continental folks) Trying to figure out who can do what tasks this weekend to insure that everything gets handled. It is raining today, might be the day we need to move everything from Doug's house to the trial site on the tractor! Oh wait, that was last year. Trying to work on the Exorcism of some of these details now.

Man, I type and type then go to post and it will not go through! Go Figure. I hate computers at times. My tent guy had to get two of his tents out of storage by last Saturday so we drove down to Nashville and picked them up. Now I have it in my garage, but it is a good feeling having control over it. One less thing on my mind. I wimped out last Sunday, had Easter dinner at a friends house and fell asleep on the couch. Good friends! Putting out the pleas to help for this upcoming weekend. Working on the details now, handout for people coming in, trash bags, stickers for the windshields. Dad is coming up sometime this week or next to lend a hand. He will help get a lot of the details covered. Coordinating with the Sign up folks for Both TI and STRA to make it go as smoothly as possible. They will be putting out the pre-event online signup message out here shortly. Got to get the flyers out to the local area folks that would be interested. It is now time for that. Need to Make wooden signs or something to guide people in. The devil is in the details as they say, but the details are what make a good event great.