Centerville Prep Update - 01/29/05

Cool weather and partly cloudy skies greeted James, Kim, Darrell, Bill Faz and I on site yesterday.  Perfect temps for the final preparations.

Sat
AM - All sections finished, splits marked
PM - Small adjustments, splits next Friday

Sun
AM - 6 sections complete, 2 to split on Friday
PM - Small adjustments, splits next Friday or Sat am

Rookies
Sat & Sunday complete

Cadets
3 sections completed, likely add one more on Friday

Loops
Sat & Sun - All marked

Friday "To-Do" list:  Final signage, PM splits, bitch about how soggy it is, and likely a few other odds and ends.

Today's 'Incident' - I was riding the Sunday loop cleaning face slappers and the occasional fallen timber.  I rolled up to a section where loop flag-meister Kim and PM section tester Faz were eyeballing Kimmie's bike.  "Big problem here", was the greeting I got.  Why, what's the matter with this section.  No, not the section, my bike.  Well, the handle bars are still there, it has both brake and clutch lever, both wheels seem to be still attached, what's the matter with it?  Check out this footpeg.  Yikes!  What once was a glorious $45 Scorpa CNC milled piece of sculptured billet custom footpeg is now 2/3 missing, bent backwards and the sole remaining piece of protruding aluminum would only provide a perch for a small parrot.  Well, howjado that?  I was riding the trail, minding my own business, and it just broke.  Guffaws all around.  Yeah, sure.  Well, I might have hit a rock.  Likely so, and I'm sure that the Titanic might have only hit an ice cube!  Further debriefing and the remaining footpeg evidence suggests that a very large rock abruptly stopped his forward momentum.  Alas, the cause, subsequent reactions and immediate results were observed only by the rider - no witnesses.

And while we are jabbing at Kimmie, those of you who have been following the "modifications" of his trailer over the last year are in for a treat this Trials.  He claims to be only a few elbows, a couple of tees and some pipe 'dope' [sic] away from having hot running shower water this year.  According to the secret design details revealed to date, this custom installation involves a hot plate/burner, a polypropylene water tank, a used bilge pump he had under his work bench from a long ago sold fishing boat, several feet of plastic pipe and an assortment of connectors, elbows, tees, plumbers strapping, and no doubt a valve or two.  He hasn't mentioned charging to view this engineering feat so you may want to stop by and check it out for free while you can (or while his trailer is still in one piece).  Anyone got the EMS number for the Centerville area?

We're ready to kick off the 2005 Texas State Series - see you there !

- eBill

(01/30/05 Bill Edgington)

Centerville Prep Update - 01/22/05

A cool clear day on site.  In addition to regulars Kim and James we were joined on site by Doug Wilson (say, he's been up every weekend, guess we need to call him a regular too?), Bill Fazackerley, and the Mizell Clan.  Les brought Jubal, Zeke, Jacob, Josiah, Caleb and David to help with the section building.  If I missed a Mizell or two, apologies all around.  Its like counting water bugs.  All at once, they are everywhere, no where, some are here, some are there.  Plus, they keep swapping bikes so you can never rely on who's riding what for an accurate head count.  Thanks guys!

Sat AM sections
10 - All set

Sat PM sections
9 set - 1 to go

Sat Rookie
5 - All set

Sun AM sections
8 - All set

Sun PM sections
8 - All set (heck, we may have 9, I've lost count....)

Sun Rookie
4 + 1 All set

Loops
Sat AM/PM - no work today
Sun AM/PM - no work today

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Our final pre-trials work day is planned for next Saturday and it looks like the predicted weather will cooperate.  James will likely set the splits in the morning sections while Kimmie and I focus on the tidy up and marking of the loops.  At lunch time we will put together some cadet sections and with most all of the "hard yards" completed, all will be ready for the first two rounds of the Texas State Series.  Hope you've been practicing!

- eBill

(01/23/05 Bill Edgington)

Centerville Prep Update - 01/15/05

HUGE day out yesterday for the crew.  Got there early, came home late.  James, Kim and I were joined on the property by Kevin DeGayner and Doug Wilson.  Thanks guys.  Temps in the high 50s, sunny and drying conditions.  A perfect day for attacking vines, grubbing out hillsides, trimming trees and branches along with tromping up and down hills twisting ribbon around things.  Worked on finishing up on Sat AM, Rookies and started the Sat PM sections.

It was nice to have an afternoon crash test dummy on the crew.  What do think about this uphill, Kevin?  Ah, you can't ride up that.  Heck, I never said I could.  OK, a quick re-route and some directional changes.  OK, now, how about down instead?  Ah, you cant ride down it either!  Well, geeezo Kevin, make up your mind which way you don't want to ride then, will ya?

Sat AM (all done!)
Lacking only final change ups if required, split markers and signage

Sat PM (5 complete)
2 brand spanking new and 3 others completed

Sun AM (2 complete - 6 to set)
No work on the Sun AM sections this trip

Sun PM (5 complete - 3 to set)
No work on the Sun PM sections this trip

Rookie Sections
Sat AM Rookie sections are complete
Sun AM Rookie sections - no work this trip

Loops
SAT AM/PM - Loop is roughly signed
SUN AM/PM - Loop is not marked

Upon completing one of the new PM sections, both James and Kim got a severe case of the "I think I could get through this one."  (Note: This did not come up in the previous 4 PM sections)  OK boys, just pretend there are no splits and take any route you like to just get through it, start to finish.  There were more than a few failed attempts but indeed they did finally get through it.  Discoveries: James' bike will rev over 1500 rpm - amazing, as I had always thought it was rev limited to just off idle.  Kimmy can paddle with his feet faster than a duck out of water.  However we are awaiting the results of the photo finish to see if he really was still on, or anywhere near the bike when the front axle crossed the exit line as it came flying up the hill and out of the section.

Looking forward to next weekend - Les Mizell & Crew should be on deck, and fBill having returned from vacation in the UK (and attending the Sheffield Indoors) should be well rested and ready to rock!  Centerville weather is predicted to be clear and dry all week.  See you there and as always if you would like to join in, just email so we know you are coming and can come find you at the parking if need be.

- eBill

(01/16/05 Bill Edgington)

Centerville Prep Update - 01/08/05

Great day Saturday.  A "little soggy" out toward the rocky hillside, from the rains on Thursday, but the rest of the property, creeks, etc. are in good shape.  Temps in the 60's made for comfortable working conditions.  We got a lot done, and everybody got a little play time - or "Torture Kimmy Time" if you prefer.

Thanks to Doug Wilson for coming out and being our "Novice Crash Test Dummy".  He only flipped over the bars once (that I saw).  He suspects the downhill in that one section is too abrupt for novices.  I suspect the front brakes on his Scorpa are too "grabby" or either the rears aren't grabby enough.

Sat AM (8 down, 2 to set)
8 sections set

Sat PM (0 completed)
With the 1st two AM sections now set, the rest of the new ravine (now declared un-rideable for AM riders) is ours!

Sun AM (2 down, 6 to set)
2 sections set (and a couple, ah, 'roughed in"?)

Sun PM (5 complete, 3 to set)
No additional work on these this trip out

Rookie Sections
(5 on Sat, 4 on Sunday - all identified but no work started on these)

Woody's Smokehouse at Centerville would like to thank those working on the Trials for bolstering their Saturday afternoon sales, of Brisket, Ribs, Beans, Sausage, Jerky, Jalapeno bread, Tea, Sandwiches and other takeaway items.

Clear and cool is the forecast next Saturday, hope to see you there.  Contact Darrell or myself if you are planning on coming out (and about what time) so we can find you at the parking area.

- eBill

(01/09/05 Bill Edgington)

Centerville Prep Update - 12/31/04

Happy New Year to all ya Mutts!

Are we building sections for the Summer Series or the Texas February State (usually held in the winter) rounds?  Arrived on site early Friday morning to balmy mid 70s temperature and overcast to sunny skies.  Ran into Burl Hughes and a couple of the TRH crew who were on site about midday starting to work on their trails with an eye toward a Hare Scramble in February.  Interesting enough, their work days seems to consist of riding around the trails on 4-wheelers with a cold beer in hand.  Maybe I should get a 4-wheeler and take that up, as our days seem to consist of hiking up and down ravines winding silly bits of white ribbon to trees, warding off vicious vines and hacking through brush that the Javelinas avoid?

Saturdays Round:

AM
- New routes and the rest of the loop is now clean and basically marked
- Managed to keep Kim and Darrell busy so they didn't try to build any AM sections
  <No small task here, but I just didn't give them any ribbon!>
- Sec 6 cleaned out as requested, plus major cleaning around some new obstacles.
  <Them boys cleaned it so well, they didn't need ribbon to layout the section>

PM
- Identified one more section while working on the Sat AM Loop (9)

Sundays Round:

AM
- Nada, zippo, no work, waved at the sections as we rode by
- PM work completed below will now allow the final 2 AM sections to be identified and set

PM
- Rather than pie plate the 3 missing sections, we cleaned and set them
- Also cleaned and set 2 other sections (5 total done save fbill adding splits)

You had to be there for these moments:

- Only once while working on the PM sections did I hear the infamous "Well, I could ride that". I quickly changed that part of the section and got "Shit, you cant ride that"............perfect!

- eBill, why are you making the turn go that way instead of this other way?
  Answer: fBill can't hop that direction! <big ga-faws all around>

- Someone keep an eye on Darrell, he almost got lost unloading his bike, let alone out in the woods. We may need to put one of the deer radio locator collars on him?

- Did you bring the Pella Garlic Bologna and cheese? Yep. Hey, you brought a sandwich for lunch. Well, I'll eat that for dessert after I finish off eBills cheese and bologna.

- (Kim's truck on the way home) - Kim says, "My gut hurts, I need to take a dump. Must have been that bologna and cheese."

- Split decision - You cant put that in that way. It'll be great. Nope, they can't do that. Sure they can. Well, you show me, just that one obstacle never mind the rest of the section. RRRRrrrrrr, zing, splat, crash. Damn. That's too muddy/steep and there is no way to turn. Next attempt, similar result. Next contestant. Buzzzzz, Zing, Thump, Damn. Well, maybe that isn't so good.....  Well, lets just leave it and see if he notices - yeah, right, fBill will yank that out so quick it will be like it was never there. Trust me, he will.

- What happened to Kimmie? He was over there a minute ago (insert sounds of silence from 'over there'). Hey, you alright? Ooowwww, ah yeah, I think so? We wander over to the accident site -> all of you have seen this picture before - upside down and now silent Montesa. Aging Sr Am rider several feet away downhill from the wreck, sprawled on the ground - "I think I hit a hole"?

Upcoming:

Be sure to check the work schedule from the link on the home page and come on out and join the fun. Work a little, ride a little, and spend a great day with us out in the woods! Just let us know you are coming so we can come find you at the parking area. Kevin/Stuart/Bill&Dan/Les - I could use a PM Crash Test Dummy <G>

The weather is currently 'iffy' for the 8th with a 60% chance of precipitation. However, the track record for the Huntsville weather clowns is usually a day off.   Too early to tell this far in advance. We may have to move to a Sunday outing but will post it up by say Thursday afternoon if we do.

- eBill

(01/01/05 Bill Edgington)

Centerville Prep Update - 12/27/04

Great day out yesterday.  From a planning and preparation perspective we got a lot done/decided.  Cool and crisp when we got there (well, Duh) but warmed up quite nicely by late morning.  The property looks to have had considerable more water over the fall than last year.  The stock ponds are full and there are still a few wet spots here and there.  It also appears that they have not had any bike activity since their event last spring.  My Columbo detective theory is based on the number of limbs/trees down across the trail(s) and it looks like they have cleared just enough to get their 4-wheelers around for deer hunting and not too much of that either.

Anyhow, here is what we got done:

Saturday - New loop determined and some flagging on new routes across country.  All AM's pie plated.  Seven of ten PM's pie plated (+ stadium section = eight)  Have a pretty good idea for the other two, but didn't go back out on the AM loop after two laps and counts.  Cool - 3 totally new PM sections and several new AM sites.  None will require Agent Orange and only 'minimal' housekeeping.  The new PM's only require cojones and RPM's.   James also picked out 2-3 potential areas for the Rookie sections.  Bonus find - The wind and dead tree gods have deposited a dandy section right by the gate heading out of the field toward the back.  A little chain saw work and we have the morning equivalent of a stadium section.  Nothing like warming up on logs Round 1, Day 1, Section 1 to start your loop!

Sunday - Using one of our previous known Sunday loops, no immediate flagging is necessary.  AM 1-6 plated, PM 1-5 plated.  All other sections are known/identified but not plated - we just ran out of steam/time/daylight.  Rookie sections were not considered but will likely be in similar locations to last year with a change up.

Going forward plans:

Next Outing - I believe one more day is necessary to finish up the prep work and make it suitable for the unknowing to get around.  If I can get my chain saw fired up and one volunteer (Kim) to go up with me next Friday (preferable) or Saturday (It's great riding weather Kim) and help do some loop cleaning and marking (Kim likes those little pink flags) and some entry cleaning for a couple of the sections while finishing up the plating, (Kim - You can run the stapler if you like) we would be in great shape to have a full on work day on Jan 8.  The weather is supposed to be a bit iffy for next weekend but the temps are predicted in the mid 70's.

Note: James has to deliver money to the Coushatta Casino next weekend and is not available.  fBill is over in the UK drinking warm beer and gloating about scoring tickets for the Sheffield Indoor - the bugger!

Note: If you think you are going to short cut the loop by riding across the dam this year, give me 20 minutes warning so I can set some odds, sell some tickets and gather a crowd.  Think Evel Knievel's Snake River Canyon jump only with no parachute!

Awards - James and I have determined the number of trophies and medals we want to use.  He will be getting quotes and is planning to have an order placed this week.

- eBill

(12/27/04 Bill Edgington)

Centerville Prep Update - 12/21/04

Update news:

• The new stocks of white ribbons and flags are in my possession.
• James and I are headed up on Thursday to pie plate and see what's happened over the last 12 months on site.
• Executive decision - Rookie and Cadet section will still be red/blue marked.
• Trophies - Well, since there has been no discussion (or at least I wasn't copied on it), James and I will discuss on Thurs and formulate a go forward plan.  We are once again already out of time on this one.
• New Years weekend - I hate to let any daylight go by, any chance we can do one day on the New Years weekend as a work day?  I will go up - thinking of Sat.

- eBill

(12/21/04 Bill Edgington)

2005 Texas State Series

The schedule for the 2005 Texas State Series has been set.  Check the "Events" page for exact dates, event flyers, contacts, etc.

There have been a few changes in the rules this year:

• White tape will be used for section boundary marking.
• Any brightly colored tape may be used for split marking, as long as it is used consistently through out all the sections.
• Best seven out of nine (7 of 9) rounds will count toward state series points.
• Up to two trialsmasters (one morning & one afternoon) per day can receive average points for not riding their event.

(12/17/04 Darrell Shannon)

Scorpa SY175F Photos

New for 2005 is the Scorpa SY175F.  Based on the SY125F, the new model comes from the factory with the larger displacement, Magura hydraulic clutch, new extra thick flat skidplate, new performance CDI ignition, and all the best CNC bits from the SY250.  Mike only imported 2 of them to the U.S. until we could test them out.  He currently has one of them, and I have the other.  From my experience with the bike so far, I have an idea that Mike will be bringing in more...

(10/31/04 Darrell Shannon)

4th Annual STTA Senior Cup - Sunday, Nov 23. 2003

On Sunday, November 23rd, the STTA hosted the 4th Annual Senior Cup in Somerville, Texas.  This had to be one of the most interesting weather days I have experience at a trial.  As event organizers, James Wipff, Bill Edgington, Kim McCandless, and I arrived at the trials site around 7:00 am and were greeted with warm sunny skies.  Within thirty minutes, the sky became overcast.  By 8:00 am, the sprinkling rain started.  And stopped, and started, and stopped, and started harder, and stopped, and then started even harder.  Given how dry the area had been, and the characteristics of Somerville, we knew we could stand a little rain, but it was quickly becoming excessive.  About the time hope seemed lost, the rain stopped and a HUGE black wall of clouds appeared in the north.  It was the cold front, reported by the news, and it was barreling toward us like a freight train.  The white overcast of the warm front above us was literally shoved south, within minutes, by the charging cold front.

As the gusting wind tried to blow us all away, the temperature immediately dropped  about 20 degrees.  Riders who, just moments before, had been sweating in short sleeves were running for their trucks in search of another layer of clothes or a jacket.  The sweet part is that within the hour the skies cleared to provide us with an absolutely gorgeous, cool, mail order perfect, riding day with perfect traction having provided by the exact amount of rain.

Despite the initially threatening skies, we had nine riders show up to take a stab at getting their name added to the past winners appearing on the Senior Cup.  Unfortunately, the "Veteran" (50+) class went uncontested for 2003.  The "Senior Amateur" (40+) winner was Darrell Shannon and the "Senior Expert" (35+) winner was Lloyd Allen.  The perpetual Senior Cup trophy now records their names, along with previous winners of the classes.  View complete results and photos below.

(11/30/03 Darrell Shannon)