The next Manawatu Orion MCC mototrial is next Sunday April 28 – details as follows.

 Venue – End of Awahou South Road off the Pohangina Valley East Road. Will be signposted from the usual intersection on the Ashhurst to Pohangina Road. Shouldn’t take more than 15 mins from Ashhurst to the venue unless your nana is driving you.

 Sign on: 9.45 am – if you need a One event Licence try not to be last there!

 Riders brief: 10.15 am

 Start: 10.30 am

COC and section setter – Merv George

 MNZ Steward – Adrian Walcroft

 All grades catered for, although if any Expert riders turn up they may find this venue a bit tame.

 Entry fees: senior $15, Junior $10. OEL $25 if required.

 Weather: unpredictable...........

 Club memberships are due and I have new club cards and re-newel forms. I have also attached forms to this email. To save time on the day please print off if you can, fill out and bring along with the correct amount of cash (or a cheque) on the day. The form does have a name and address to send the completed form to and you can pay direct to the club bank account if you wish. Just you won’t get your club membership card instantly if you mail off the form. If you do bring the completed form but pay into the club account I’ll need some proof you have paid as I don’t have access to the club account. Although I can check via the club treasurer.

 Other news: Adrian, Callum and myself looked at a new venue further up the Pohangina Valley than any of our other venues recently and it’s pretty average but useable. Not much more than grassy hills although a bit of a stream that should offer up a couple of sections. Have another couple of possible new venues to suss out up the valley too.

 Cheers Kevin

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 Bush Riders MCC Pahiatua Coming Events 2019

APRIL 2019 Thursday 24th April Day in the Dirt/Fun day Saturday 27th April NZ Junior MX Champs - Manawatu Orion Sunday 28th April NZ Junior MX Champs - Manawatu Orion MAY Saturday 4th May NZ TT Champs - Huntly & Patetonga Sunday 5th May NZ TT Champs - Huntly & Patetonga JUNE Friday 21st June BUSH RIDERS AGM AND PRIZEGIVING Saturday 29th June National, North Island and Central Enduro Callaghan’s Masterton Sunday 30th June Trail Ride – Callaghan’s, Masterton

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MOMCC Trial

Club Champs Rnd 1 24/3/2019

Hi all

Sunday 24 March was our first club championship round, held at Boltons property, just across the

river from Ashhurst. There was a reasonable turnout of riders enjoying a very fine and hot day. We

enjoyed the company of our visiting riders, the Herbert family from

Taranaki and Phil Costello from Wellington.

Kevin and Callum had made a really great job of setting the eight Sections , which we did four laps

of. Five of those were in amongst native bush that provided perfect shelter from the burning and hot

rays of the Sun. With having no recent rain the bush sections were very dry and could be ridden

with much more confidence over the many tree roots and bare earth. There were a lot of good "up

and back down" the steep slope challenge's as well in those bush sections.

Section 5 had a gnarly log to get over right at the end of the section. This log has been used in the

past but it still proves a real challenge for most of us to clean. We couldn't just blast over it and out

the end pegs either as Kevin (Callum marked this one, ed) had shrewdly placed the end pegs just to

the right a little.

When we were first walking the sections many of us were thinking "flip, how are we going to do all

these tight challenge's". So we had to really think about where we had to go and memorise the lines.

After the first lap it would be fair to say we were all much more confident about riding the sections

and where we could do better.

Section 1 & 2 had a bit of creek, a couple of banks, demolished building concrete slabs and stones

to negotiate. Section 3 was a steep grass hillside that was nicely set out with a very steep start and

some tricky hillside turns. Thankfully, the dry ground gave us plenty of traction. So I say "keep up

the good work " Kevin and Callum.

Dougy Herbert did really well getting that big and heavy enduro bike (KTM Freelander, ed) of his

around . I noticed he was giving the clutch a workout on one of those bush sections!! 49 points

Dougy, good on ya.

Merv’s newish Gas Gas isn't broken in yet and I saw it twice bolting down one on those steep

slopes in the bush and throwing him. I'm sure Merv you'll tame it soon enough with all your years

of experience!

I had an entertaining day riding with Phil Costello, there was never a quiet moment and there was

always something to laugh about. Something I didn't know though about Phil became obvious in

section 6. Phil is a bit of a "greenie". Yes, twice in a row Phil couldn't get past the very same tree

without stopping and giving it a hug!!

Congratulations to Warrick George for winning A grade by a handsome 15 points.

Congratulations to Abe Herbert for such good riding. Abe was behind his opponents

by only 7 points, but his skill is very good. Good on you Abe, keep it up.

This month’s awards go to the following : -

Cleanest Bike - Adrian Walcroft

Best dressed - Mike Ward, new Mots shirt, new Mots pants, new Mots helmet, new boots

Looking super cool Mike!

Best saddle bronc ride - Merv George

Biggest smile - Merv Geoge

Biggest bike - Dougie Herbert , KTM enduro

Give it a go - Dougie Herbert , KTM enduro

Oldest bike – Kevin Pinfold, 2001 GG 321. (I just had to throw that in there – KP)

Congratulations to those award winners, well done. To all you others, I say keep up your practice

because next time YOU could become an Award Winner.

Look forward to seeing all next month. Take care.

Regards Chris Morrison

Results here - http://www.moto-trials.co.nz/results/15197

Gee I’m really glad Chris didn’t mention that Hannah beat me for the second time in

the last four trials we’ve ridden. And bet Daniel Herbert is glad there was no mention

of Hannah beating him too – on his brand new Beta Factory Racing 250. At least I can

play the “I was riding an 18 year old bike, got a bust shoulder, had set the sections in

the searing sun and then done a 32 km MTB ride the day before” card. All that was

worth at least 20 points. So 39 minus 20 = 19 so in theory I won.

Daniel could only play the “I’ve got a sniffly nose” card. Only worth 1 point.

Na fair play Hannah is riding with a lot of confidence this year and boy when she gets

a sniff of a victory over the likes of Daniel and myself she knows how to step up the

pressure.

Don’t worry, my new weapon’s only a few weeks away and then she’ll know what

pressures all about…………

I’ll just make mention too of our two young fella’s on the Gas Gas 50’s, Vinnie Veltman,

who’s been on the scene now for a year or so, and Connor Ward who was riding just

his second trial, and took the win too. It’s great to have the kids out there and a few

more would be good too. Merv’s old 125 GG went to a lad who hopefully will come along

at some stage. And Dougy tells me young Abe is keen to get back down here from the

Naki and show our boys how it’s done.

Our last young rider that kicked off on a 50cc at about 8 years old was Hannah and

look where she is now and she’s just turned 16. Oh and we have Callum Walcroft too,

who’s a 7th former, now and he’s come a long way since he started as a timid shy kid

when he was 10 or 11.

Next club trial is April 28, details to come soon.

Regards

Kevin

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Megaphone

Newsletter of the Pioneer MCC

Summer 2019

Thanks Sandra & Roy

Sandra and Roy Hallie have decided to take a break from the committee this year while they move house and spend some time caravaning. Sandra first joined the committee in 1978 and has been on it since then apart from a few years when she and Roy lived in Taranaki and when Katrina was young. Roy is also a longstanding committee member and a former president.

Thanks both, we appreciate your long and significant contribution to the club.

Club notices

* This year’s AGM is on 7 March at 7.30 pm at the Pioneer Leisure Centre. The supper will a good one because Al is bringing along some of his home baking. * The 2019 Club calendar is now on the Pioneer website.

* It’s time to renew your membership for 2019. This can be done online through the website.

MNZ Trials Commissioner

Paul Jackson is the new trials commissioner. Rat has been involved in trials for over 30 years, and has ridden overseas in Australia and Scotland so he brings a lot of knowledge and experience to the role. Dylan joins the Beta team

In December the Beta Company announced that they have selected Dylan Ball as one of the two young riders that they will be supporting in the World Trial 125 class this year. Dylan and Nick will be competing in the world rounds in Italy, Japan and the Netherlands. They were also planning to go to the UK round but unfortunately this has been cancelled. There is a fundraising page for Dylan (see p.2).

Dylan is congratulated by John Lawton after signing to ride for Beta in 2019. John has provided Dylan with a 250 Factory to ride in NZ. 2

Sad news

The trials community was shocked to hear the news that Siobhan Robson, Carl’s wife passed away in January. Siobhan was also the Ixion Club’s treasurer.

In November Paul Lagan died after a long battle with cancer. Paul was a member of the Pioneer club in the late 1970s and edited the Megaphone for a year in 1978. In the early 1980s he lived in Australia and while there he imported Fantics. He won the veterans title at the Aussie nationals in 1982.

Ira Chambers also passed away in January. Ira attended and observed at many trials in the 1960s to 1980s period. Our condolences to Dave, Lyndsay and Craig.

Have a go days

Jules and Josh have run two "have a go" days recently, with seven children turning up to the one held on 3 Feb. Some of the adults who have accompanied the children have also been having a go. The Beta electric is getting good use, but we have decided not to purchase the smaller wheel Gas Gas.

Help Dylan to ride in Europe The Givealittle fund raising page for Dylan is: https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/help-dylan-with-his-dream-to-become-world-125cc

Trials article

Megaphone is the newsletter of the Pioneer Motorcycle Club Inc. Editor: Peter Hosking, email: pmctrialnews@gmail.com

Club website: http://pioneertrials.co.nz and we’re on Facebook

The Dec/Jan 2019 issue of Dirt Rider Downunder had a very good article on trials by Jessie Meek of Motorsport Media Solutions. Jess wrote this after spectating at the Oceania and talking to Josh about trials. There are some interesting photos of the Oceania/nationals on Jess’ website https://www.jessiemeek.co.nz and she has also been promoting our events on her Facebook page. Thanks Jess!

Jess riding Georgina’s 125 at the Waimak have a go day on 3 Feb.

Jess is now working as a freelance copywriter, and is available to help businesses with email marketing, blogs and content.

Congrats

Josh & Jeni have announced their engagement. 3

Prize giving

This year’s prize giving was held at Bishop Brothers Public House and attended by 27 members and family. Kahu needed a box to carry home his trophies after another very successful year.

2018 cup winners: Laurenson cup (Expert)	Glenn Smith
Intermediate cup	Ross Bristol
Clubman cup	Kahu Jones
Hallie cup (twin shock)	Paul Jackson
Whyte cup (women)	Stef Downes
Blandford cup (under 19)	Kahu Jones
France cup (under 21)	Kahu Jones
Peter Bennett cup (best first year rider)	Simon Hopkins
The Knitters Shield (most fives)	Ashley Duncan
BSA shield (best 125cc)	Kahu Jones
Big Tree challenge cup (sidechair)	Rob & Laura McKay
Bonnington cup	Ross Bristol
Kaikoura 3 day winners
Triumph no. 2 cup (expert)	Jules Huguenin
Wynne York cup (intermediate)	Ross Bristol
S.A.M. trophy (sidechair)	Paul Jackson & Emma McKay
Moir cup (clubman B)	Mark Hockey (Nelson MCC)
Falconer cup (best first year rider)	Emily Willard (Ixion MCC)
Kaikoura family cup	Simon & Kahu Jones

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NEWSLETTER OF THE IXION MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC.

Number 229 – Feb 2019

I know, been a while, right? And so, in the spirit of full and frank disclosure and, by way of explanation, I want to be transparent and engage in some accountability, here’s why it’s taken me so long to get the newsletter out: I had a thing on.

Okay, good talk.

Let’s blast into this, no dilly-dallying….except for this little item probably worth mentioning…probably.

In a former life I used to be a sales manager and, occasionally, they’d fly us around the world (Auckland) to hear some dude waffle on about how to be really good instead of shithouse at selling.

One of things he said is that even after the agreement has been and gone and it was all very successful, even after all the dust has settled you can still extract some more goodwill from the sale by simply going back to the client some time later with a wrap up and a thank you.

Frankly, if falls squarely into the ‘feel-goodery’ realm of things but, apparently, reminds the client of your existence and leaves them feeling well-loved, open to another transaction on another occasion.

Well, suck me dry and call me Dusty, this came through the mail from you know who down south:

2018 FIM Oceania and New Zealand Trial Championship

Hi Phil

Thanks for participating in the recent 2018 FIM Oceania and New Zealand Trial Championship. I would just like to thank you for taking the time, effort and expense to attend and help make this the success that it was. Attached are the final comprehensive results for your information.

Once again, thanks for entering and I hope you had a great weekend.

Looking forward to seeing you again soon.

Regards

Derek Scott

Understandably, I started tearing up, gush everywhere, eventually pulled myself together and concluded that those Pioneering types, damn, they got mad marketing/customer relations skills and know how to run an event before and after.

Just saying….

First up, let’s cover off the news officially, at least in this publication, that is huge, to say the leas, the ongoing exploits of Dylan Ball….

______________________________________

Great timing, of course, with millions of Brits buggering off from the EU, Dylan enters the equation under the banner, ‘Local boy makes good’.

Most will know the details by now that Dylan has cracked Factory team membership as a junior and, can you believe it, it even made the MNZ website:

Congratulations Dylan Ball!

Dylan will be part of the Beta factory team "Betamotor" for 2019, competing in FIM Trial 125 World Cup across Europe and Japan.

This is a huge opportunity for 14 year old Dylan who will be basing himself in Spain in May. Unfortunately he won’t be able to do all the rounds due to school and costs, but he hopes to make the final round in the UK in September. Dylan was awarded "Best Up and Coming Off-Road Rider" at the 2018 NZ Motorcycle Awards. He says "I hope this inspires other young riders from this side of the world, that with hard work you can succeed."

Great stuff Dylan - we look forward to following your progress!

Some further choice details: Dylan will be looking to do 4 of the 5 world junior rounds and has upgraded from his 125 (which, frankly, never seemed to be disadvantageous to him,

largely due to the million of revs he managd to crank out of it) to a 250 so there’ll be no stopping him now.

Nick’s (aka dad) has set up a Givealittle page if you want to help with the understandable and unavoidable costs of making it all happen:

Help Dylan to ride in Europe, The Givealittle fund raising page for Dylan is:

Help Dylan get to Europe

Johnboy Walton looking pretty happy with the development, and why shouldn’t he? Great for the Beta brand and, apart from the last couple of years, Dylan’s progression from someone I think I might even have beaten once or twice - probably when he was still a foetus - to a young man well on the road to being a world beater, has been on a Beta machine.

_______________________________________

MNZ Trials Commissioner news

Paul Jackson is the new trials commissioner.

Rat has been involved in trials for over 30 years, and has ridden overseas in Australia and Scotland so he brings a lot of knowledge and experience to the role.

Also, one time at a SI trials, I saw John Lawton give him a cold beer at the end of the day and he seemed mighty appreciative so, with that on your CV, he was always going to be shoo-in.

Have to say, though, couldn’t see much resemblance to that much-maligned mammal that scurries about under the house so not sure where the nickname came from, seemed like a pretty regular looking biped to me….

_______________________________________

Okay, we’re racing along so let’s take a breather with a little light distraction from, who else, but Marky-Mark Sidevalve who was good enough to send this little ripper in with accompanying text:

‘Yo. Attached, one picture of an ancient shitter polished up by some old curmudgeon’.

You’ve got to admire the brevity of that summary but it’s probably important to point out that any resemblance to any particular person or persons, alive or dead, is completely coincidental…..well, that’s how I read it.

But the banter continued when I asked about that whalloping great spring over the front wheel, just the sort of question to pose to an engineer:

‘They're called girder forks and nothing to do with Britten (John Brtten - Ed) because it's all hinged off the usual steering head that the telescopics are hinged off.

The dampers on this particular icon of Brutish design are by friction. That is to say stiction. Yucky,….’

And I’ve redacted the last part because Ixion’s already reeling from a number of newsletter provoked defamation lawsuits, largely due to the maverick utterances of the editor who appears absolutely oblivious to the wholesale offence he or she causes on a semi-regular basis. Frankly, people, we’re on our knees but, waddya gonna do, you can’t sack these people, they’re not even employed…or employable…..

_______________________________________

Okay, moving right along, let’s applaud those two heroes from our last meeting who, by all accounts, went over and beyond the call of duty to carve out a very challenging Mototrial from the rugged and hostile terrain up at Moonshine i.e., Neil and Sidey.

Huge amount of effort and we are applauding their sacrifice and the great outcome with both hands….both.

Sidey picks up the action for us…..

Setting this one was just going to be a challenge due to all the good bulldozer work done by KapiMana club. But not all the area is a motocross track, so Neil and I turned up the Saturday 26 Jan and just started looking. It was hot so we wanted to get it done quickly.

The stream seemed too flat and there's hardly any big boulders, but if you look a bit further you'll find that the banks can be interesting, if a little overgrown. We only had loppers with us, so waded in and did what we could with them and bare hands. I thought the stream was all played out but

Marky-Mark showing us how to negotiate the water feature….dude was on fire on the day, coming in 2nd behind Caleb, clearly making good use of his marine skillset.

Neil walked a bit further and found the wonderful side creek that became section 10. Never underestimate the power of persistance! Thanks Neil … But of course it needed a heap of clearing too so we did a heap more clearing. So much for getting it done quickly!

That log was a complete and utter bastard with no parents, none…..doesn’t seem to bothering Carl, though, so I’m just going to take it personally.

Shit oh dear, look at the angle! Wait till he rocks up in Europe, Britain will probably want to come back into the EU just to see him, and who could blame them.

Looking a bit further shows that there's been logging of eucalyptus up around the top of the track, giving us the log sections 6 and 7 and a gate into the Akatarawa forest was open, revealing some great sections in the trees. Chainsaw needed though, which we didn't have. Heaps to do with bare hands moving logs around though, so more time was spent …

I went back with said chainy the following Wednesday. A big thick chain and huge padlock had appeared on the gate to the great sections in the trees. I just assumed Neil had shut the gate behind him and that the key would be on the KapiMana keyring, so went and did a heap of work building a killer section. It was hot again. Saturday 2 Feb, early start made a bit late because Sidey's radiator sprang a leak. Quick diversion to Super Cheap in Porirua, ten bucks worth of goo in a can and the van lives to fight another day without having to be worked on or parts bought. Ah, the miracles of science! Anyway, turns out the chain was put on by the council and we didn't have a key. Bummer! Two more sections had to be found in a hurry, which is why sections 1 and 2 were on the bank opposite the carpark, not in the nice shady trees! 3 hours clearing later and we'd only set 2 sections. Hmm, gonna be (another) long day. And of course, it was hot …

Matt going big - it was all I could do to get up that bank, he’s using it as a kicker….brutal.

The indestructible Dick Phillipps, bulletproof.

Y'all have Neil to thank for the weedwhacker work. He did that, and much easier it was for everyone not having to walk and ride sections full of long grass. Cheers mate! Then a KapiMana guy turned up and showed us the key they have for the gate … turns out the Council aren't keen on keeping us out after all.

Me, winning….yeah, nah.

Sunday came, and strangely enough … it was hot! Turnout only 19, bit disappointing. But the sections were fantastic. I asked Neil and he actually said very fantastic, so I guess it's true. Good thing it didn't rain 'cos 4 of them were in the creek and it comes up real fast when there's rain. February is probably the best month to go here. Two sections full of logs, one winding around some trees on a big steep bank, one in the bit of bush just

behind the MX finish line, and of course the labour intensive 1 and 2 full of stumps, tyres and 209 litre drums. Did I mention it was hot?

Well, we managed to take ¾ of a point a section from Dylan so I guess it was reasonable training for his world rounds coming up this year. Mostly just that big stump in section 1 mind you. I thought some of the other stuff might have caught him but mostly he just sailed over like it was nothing. Matty too actually. Strangely I think our best rider is also the one improving the most so who knows how far he can go! 1.4 points per section for the winner of red and blue grades so that was a bit hard, 0.87 for Prezzies so just right for them. Seems the yellow and socials might have suffered a bit though; sorry guys but you just can't please all of 'em all of the time.

‘If I can just clean out the air filter while I’m here…’. Funny thing about some obstacles, easier they look……

As you know it was hot, but the creek is full of deep bits so a number of us knocked off to sit in the creek and splash around. Nice to cool off and not to go home all sweaty. So there you have it: the MX track rain and wind jinx appears to be broken, seems you can set a ripper trial there after all.

Hasn’t Emily come a long way…..sister can ride! Here she is telling a log to f#@& off….her words, not mine.

The next generation….the little one, not the big one.

We saw a lot of this on the day, grown men wandering aimlessly, bereft of all hope, bike hurled to the ground, the onset of the eternal question, ‘Why am I here?’…

The indefatigable KT, never tyring….as it were.

It’s not good for your self-esteem but is still quite a wondrous thing to see: those super-casual Adlams boys. They rock up sporadically, never practise, then clean up……talent to burn. Frankly, I’m seeing a mini-series, working title, ‘The Adlam Family’, the whacky exploits of a couple of boys with too much skill and a fist-shaking dad yelling, ‘You’re doing the dishes tonight!’….lol.

(And on one final note, right at the start of the day, Riccardo Latimo rolled in waving something or other that had tickled his fancy and, once we got to see it, we could see why - whole new level of gutsy……………

……fair to say the little critter has a good point. Thanks for the write-up, Marky, jolly good read - Ed)

_______________________________________________________________________

I worked for some people for eight years, pass them in the street now, don’t bother stopping for a chat and neither do they. Fact is, we weren’t there for the love of it, just the bikkies, so there was no connection.

Mototrials, however, ain’t like that. We’re about as different as can be - do different things, different values, different jobs - but our passion for the two wheels and no feet transcends it all, brings us together, provides a rapport of sorts, a shared thing of value in our lives and we’re both lucky to have it and richer (figuratively) for it.

Anyway, better get on with it, tearing up. Is it any wonder, then, that when someone shows some keenness for the sport and wants to learn, they get a large show of hands and plenty of help.

Which brings us to Emily……. Brendan Wadsworth boldly told her he’d show her the ropes awhile back and damned if he didn’t actually get around to it, never mind that he lives down south somewhere, but probably still in New Zealand, dunno.

So I thought it might be useful if Emily penned a bit of the gold onto paper in the spirit of sharing and she agreed, Here’s what she came up with….

I have been so lucky with the support I've received in the Trials community since I started riding 3 years ago. It's a small community in Motorsport terms (even smaller in the amount of women riders) and I think that helps foster wanting to bring newbies on board. The more of us that share the passion the better! I truly appreciate every little bit of advice and even though I can't always string it all together each time, it's all cached in the memory bank and building on my knowledge and skills that I'm improving on all the time.

So recently, I've been getting in a few more rides between trials. A recent "Church" ride on Sunday in the Maungatuks really tested my skills. Bob, Kevin, Declan, Rich M and Brian were all super encouraging. I managed some pretty tricky stuff (for me) but it was great to see and recognise my progress from a year ago. Things I never could have thought of tackling like Team Track which was very steep in places where you shouldn't/couldn't just stop, to the Western Front that I enjoyed much more this time because I managed the difficult parts so much better. So.. I've really been trying to get rides like this in between club trial events. They build a confidence in using your bike in different situations, you become a different kind of rider, a more confident rider, as opposed to riding club trials only.

The other weekend Brendon from Marlborough Trials Centre in Blenheim said he was heading up to Wellington and had promised some riders at last years Nationals some training time. Bring it on! While having a look at my bike and assessing a few maintenance items and helping fix them, I also got a few great hours of dedicated training and tips from Brendon and Gareth Wadsworth and Steve Wade which was gold.

I had a couple of big takeaways from the day. The first was that the basics are still the key to conquering almost everything else. To be honest, it's the same with Squash which I also play and quite possibly many other sports. In trials it's balance, weighting your body in the right way at the right time, using your body and weight as an extension of the bike to use it like a spring. Not to mention throttle and clutch control - at the right time. That's a lot of stuff to control in each manoeuvre so it's not surprising that it takes time to get right! Very quick and easy to get wrong, like pulling on your front brake too hard and your front wheel sliding instead of guiding you around a corner - I'm still working on that one.

The other takeaway was the lesson Steve gave me in how moving your weight back on an uphill makes the front wheel just slide over things. His demonstration was me, on my bike, pointing uphill, stationary. When I moved my body back, even by only 20-25cm, he could lift my front wheel with just two fingers. When I moved my weight forward, he couldn't lift it.

That really showed me how light the front can get and what an advantage that is to getting yourself over some tricky obstacles on an uphill.

One of the first tests was coasting over a patch of tree roots, on a reasonably flat gradient. The idea was that you got power on before hitting the roots and getting good momentum and a bit more throttle to power you across them and lift the front a bit - rather than trying to use power as you're on them, and potentially have the back wheel slip. I have a habit of leaning forward on obstacles which can un-weight the back and I lose traction when I need it. So I focused on trying to keep my weight back, lightening the front and driving the back wheel before you hit anything slippery. You need enough momentum and height in the front that the bike just coasts over the tricky ground - boom! Ok, so I still didn't quite 'boom' this but I get it - so more practice required.

Next was taking on a tight-ish, uphill off-camber turn (270 degree angle) over tree roots and around an obstacle. I have to admit, I find this a real challenge.

Tackling this still comes down to basics which apparently you can learn on the flat but need to practice and progress slowly to steeper terrain. Practice your figure of eights, starting on the flat but progressing to steeper gradients. Tighten them as you progress, moving your weight/hanging your bum out on the outside corners, bending the knees, splaying the legs and getting your weight in the right place so that you're body is still straight up-right/perpendicular but you're leaning the bike into the corner. You can get a great degree of lean on the bike, thereby helping you get around the corner. If you look at the physics of what you're doing it seems completely logical and I know this as I'm approaching something but it still takes skill and strength in the body to make it happen and get it right. Get practicing! All practice builds your strength and muscle memory :)

Another lesson I really took on board from the team was that when looking at a section, there might look like an easier route by avoiding a tree root or rock, but, keeping in mind that your front tyre can run over things quite smoothly without even thinking about it, especially if you move your weight back, think about taking a slightly rougher line, riding over roots to give you a wider turning circle. At first I was looking at these as obstacles and trying to avoid them. Then when given advice to go over them, I was still giving it too much power and coming into the next obstacle, a tight turn, with too much oompf. The key was remembering how the bike handles these smaller obstacles. Don't over power it, take it slow and steady but with enough momentum to just get you over so that you're still in control and you'll be in a great position to pull through a tight turn afterwards or approach the next obstacle. Breaking down a section into parts and working out what is needed at each of these really helps. Trials is a thinking game and a strategy really helps.

Some other great tips:

- On slippery up-hills, keep the power steady but fairly low so the back wheel doesn't just spin. Move your weight to the back, bend the knees and let the tyre grip.

- If the above doesn't work, try the opposite - give it heaps (hey, it works in some situations)

- power on the flat and coast on the rise. e.g a bank. You want all your power and momentum in the bike before you hit the bank

- practice balancing on your bike - often! Wheel lock both sides.

- practice your figure of 8's - make them tighter as you get better

Things I'm still getting wrong:

- pulling on my front brake too hard on a downhill turn, especially on loose ground, the front wheel digs in and you're going nowhere but sideways

- not moving my weight correctly - some steep sharp corners downhill then shifting weight for turning uphill are bloody hard

- Not enough power/throttle on the flat before I hit a bank/obstacle, I still try driving through it which doesn't always work

- pulling in the clutch as I attack an obstacle because I'm scared of getting it wrong - this is really dumb and I realise I do it. My new tactic is to take my hand off the clutch altogether and that really helps.

Still so much to learn, but loving it! Get in there, get more practice and the time invested will pay off!

Thanks to all my Tutors! :)

(Good stuff, Ems, really comprehensive and bloody good of everyone to help you out with this stuff – Ed)

________________________________________________

I had the best laid plans to attend this event but circumstances conspired against me. Here’s a much appreciated report from Julian Rivers…..

The Classic Motorcycle Trial at the 2019 Masters Games was great fun! In previous years it had been run as a 2 day event with natural sections on the first day and man made sections the following day. This year the organisers from the Mid West Classic Trials group decided to run it as a one day event, with natural terrain sections in the morning and man made sections in the afternoon. For those of us who travelled up from Wellington for the day, it made for an early start and a very long day. A couple of riders came up from Christchurch, but they had the sense to come up early and stay overnight in Whanganui. The venue was at Queens Park, right in the centre of Whanganui.

The Natural terrain sections were spread around the sides of the park, while the man made obstacles were set up on the flat area at the top. This was a great set up for spectators and we had a good number of people watching the old guys (and girl) on old bikes during the day. The weather was cool and overcast, with even a couple of spits of rain in the morning.

We had 21 riders on the day, with 3 Experts, 3 Beginners, and the rest Intermediate. A couple of riders decided to swap between Beginner and Intermediate lines at lunchtime.

With the high numbers in Intermediate, the organisers split the class into 2 age groups (under 55 and 55 and over). Bikes had to be pre 1995 and ranged from a BSA engined Yamaha TY175 to a 1993 Yamaha TYZ (the only water cooled bike). Japanese bikes were generally the order of the day, with a dominance of Honda (7) and Yamaha (6). We also had a Kawasaki KT250 and a Suzuki RL250. The Italians were represented by 4 Fantics, and from the Spanish there was 1 Montesa and 1 Bultaco (although I did see an Ossa MAR waiting on a ute as a backup machine).

The natural sections in the morning were fairly easy, with 4 Intermediate riders finishing on zero points - including BOTH Christchurch visitors. A couple of silly ‘ones’ incurred on easy

slopes (albeit covered in gum nuts) put the writer well down the order. Tie breakers were resolved by adding together the rider and motorcycle ages, with the highest points winning - sometimes it pays to ride an older bike….

The afternoon sections were quite a bit harder and took some points, although the top Expert rider finished on only 5 points. Sections consisted of a pallet-clad car, trailers, tyres, old drums, seesaws, armco railing, zig zag planks, and a wheelie

Results from the Masters Games

(You’ll see some redaction going in one of the columns - FYI, they run a Nicest Guy Award too and everyone came first equal but humility prevented publication of their phones numbers….it’s the endless phone calls of congratulations, the media inquiries, it’s just brutal)

And on the back of that, we segue way nicely into details from Richard re: this year’s Classic Series…

……but, whatever you want to call them the club plans to run them again in 2019.

We have scheduled five for this year – the second Sunday of March, May, July, September and November, subject to change if they conflict with championship events. Venues for this year will be a mix of the traditional Maungies with cameos from Richard McKenzie’s, Top Pub and maybe Otaki Scouts.

All levels of rider are welcome and there will be lines available for ‘most any kind of trials-oriented bike. The hardest lines will be roughly equivalent to a ‘soft’ yellow at normal club events so they will be suitable for experienced clubman riders looking for a challenge, while the rest of our blue and social riders should have a ball on the easier lines.

We will be catering for the growing number of "electric kids" at all events. While they may have some variations due to range and small wheels it will be great for them (and us) to ride together.

Events will be permitted as "have a go days" so MNZ licences, while desirable, will not be mandatory. Bikes need to be in reasonable mechanical condition – power is optional but brakes and lanyard kill switches are highly recommended.

First up this year will be on Sunday 10th March at the Maungies Carpark – sign on from 9, briefing at 10.

(They’ll even have you going over some abandoned car that someone’s converted from the night before and left in a section - make no mistake, these Classic boys are ruthless and resourceful in equal measure – Ed)

NB!!!!

Couple of quick memos from Richard:

? It’s the end of the club year so all trophies need to be back to me by 10 March so I can get them engraved. Cleaned and polished would be great

? March 3 at Alexander’s is the last trial of the club year which means the Anniversary Cup is up for grabs – lowest score any (competitive) grade

_________________________________________

(Wherein we salute the valiant and generous contributions of our hard working politburo, tirelessly doing all that stuff we don’t even want to know about - bloody good of them – Ed)

Ixion Motorcycle Club

Committee Meetin5/2/19

Present: K Tither, M Dench, C & N Sturmfels, C Presto, G Foon.

Apologies: R Latimer, C Robson.

General Business:

? Wellington National: K Tither to contact Dimnicks regards to using property for trials.

? K Tither to talk to Richard Latimer regards score sheets for Nationals.

? Chris Presto put forward having a ten trials card.

? Cheryl Sturmferls & Chris Presto put forward the need to update incorporated society details.

? Meeting closed 850pm

(Can’t run a club without a committee - Somalia’s been trying it for the last few years, doesn’t work, everyone becomes a pirate - so our ongoing thanks to these few, who do so much, for so many – Ed…again)

____________________________________________

And there you have, sweet as a nut.

Right on the very last page you’ll see a Trials Calendar for the year that Kevin Pinfold put together. Super handy and so I think I’m right in saying what he can’t do with a spreadsheet probably ain’t worth doing - good on ya’, Kev.

Meantime, here’s out usual calendar of events.

BTW: Brent, if you’ve made it this far, could you get some of these dates up on Silverbuller? Or perhaps John Rushworth, since you appear to be invested in these URLs that keep lycanthropes at bay, feel free to whack these up………please.

___________________________________________

2019

MARCH

3rd IXION Alexander’s back property

APRIL

7th IXION Applegarths AGM – gated trial - kids welcome

May

11th 12th Ixion North Island National Rounds - venues tbc

1) As ever, head to http://www.silver-bullet.co.nz for the latest comprehensive event dates and locations

2) And your brand new ‘Where We Ride’ page is up and live on https://ixion.org.nz/where-we-ride/ telling you exactly where to go, what to do when you there, how to whistle Dixie, and how to get home again

________________________________________

CLUB CONTACTS

Snail mail: 71 Colson St, Avalon, Lower Hutt 5011 Website: www.ixion.org.nz

President: Kevin Tither 04 904 1760 bernietither@gmail.com

Club Captain: Neil Sturmfels 0276328202 neck@xtra.co.nz

Secretary: Gerry Foon 388 8263 karenlabone@gmail.com

Treasurer: Cheryll Sturnfels 0272296701 neck@xtra.co.nz

Convenor: Chris Presto 04 904 8691 chrispresto60@gmail.com

Committee: Mike Dench 971 8385 denchmtha@gmail.com

Brent Douglas brenty888@gmail.com

Carl Robson csrobson13@gmail.com

Results: Richard Latimer 565 0086 richard.latimer@xtra.co.nz

Website: Brent Douglas brenty888@gmail.com

Newsletter: Phil Costello 027 4475503 philcostello@outlook.com

Cycle Torque is presented for the entertainment of the members and nothing herein is warranted to be factual or the opinion of the club or even of the person whose opinion it was at the time. Cycle Torque is generally published the week before the club’s regular event, the wonderful Ixion Club Trial; which is generally held on the first Sunday of the month, rain hail or shine. Sections are set to cater from everyone from raw beginner to NZ championship "A" grade; something for everyone. Be there at 9am for a 10:00 start at the latest. Finish time is 3pm or when everyone is finished, whichever is sooner. There’s time for quick lunch after the first round if you don’t mess about too much. Cost: $15 per rider, $5 for students. Please bring $5 notes and be aware due to insurance requirements that there is NO RIDING AT ALL BEFORE YOU SIGN UP.

DOGS are strictly forbidden at Trials because we ride due to the kindness of the farmers who own the land. Dogs make farmers unkind. The last 10 riders to sign in each get to bring in the pegs for one section. So turn up early if you want to leave early! See the President about this, the rules are not applied strictly. Brand new people can ride without an MNZ license for two trials; after that it is necessary to join MNZ (Motorcycling NZ), our national body. It's a cool hundred bucks a year, or $130 for a champs licence, which is only necessary for Junior, President and Expert classes at Island or National level. In addition to the Club Trial, Ixion generally holds a two-day North Island Championship Trial each year, which is considered (by all Ixion members) to be the premier event in the World Trials Calendar. There are sometimes Twilight Trials during the summer starting at 3pm, often followed by a BBQ.The friendly Committee Meeting is held on the Tuesday after the Club Trial at the Lighthouse in Pauahatanui at 7:30 pm. Ring Kevin to make sure, before turning up. Club fees are $40 per year and $20 for fulltime students or social members, $60 for families. These very reasonable fees are unchanged since the AGM, so pay up and as always …

Keep calm and keep your feet up!

2019 Events Calendar - kindly supplied by Kev ‘I’m Not Injury Prone’ Pinfold

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Hi all, Hannah has come through with her report on last Sunday’s Pink & Manning Shield trial held at Hannah’s Hunterville Hideaway. Thanks Hannah, a good one as usual from you.

 Oh and by the way Hannah you done such a good job (with mum’s help of course) that we took a vote, in your absence, and you are now setting out all the club trials this year. And that includes doing all reports too not to mention the results that you have been doing so well all along anyway.

 So that should keep you off the streets and out of trouble................

 Results http://www.moto-trials.co.nz/results/15196

 Great to see the new people riding last Sunday too. Don’t think we have had so many newbies at the same time including two kids and women. So welcome Lucy, Mike, Connor, Paul and Carter. Hope to see you all back again.

 If you intend to compete on a regular basis I recommend you pursue getting a Motorcycling NZ competition licence. It’s cheaper in the long run than buying a “one event licence” at $25 a time. Bit of a rigamarole to get a licence for the first time but unfortunately there isn’t any way around it. Our club is affiliated to MNZ as are most clubs and that’s what we have to run with. I emailed the below info on getting a licence and joining our club before last weekends trial but I’ve sent it again as I know there are a couple of new email address’ on my list now.

 The Application form and details can be found on the MNZ website here. If any queries or problems email/talk to me and I should be able to help. The theory “test” mostly relates to MX or road race which is typical. I’m sure trials doesn’t exist for some within the organisation...........

 https://www.mnz.co.nz/docs/default-source/licences/70789-mnz-licence-application-20189-web.pdf?sfvrsn=2

 Note: Two one event licences will get you a $30 discount off the licence fee, so remember to keep the OEL’s if you have purchased any.

 You will also need to join an affiliated motorcycle club. The Manawatu Orion Club annual fee is $25 for senior, $20 Junior or $35 family. The application form can be downloaded here.

 https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/27238a_4f7dad8776ec473890e8158a141103b4.pdf

 Or see me at any trial and I have forms and club cards and can sign you up on the spot. Just have the correct amount of cash please.

 The club year runs from April 1 to March 31. Being so close to the end of this year (March 31) anyone joining now will get membership through to March 31 2020.

 The MNZ licence year ends June 30 but they have just announced that as of July 1 this year a licence will be for a year from when you purchased it. So if you got a licence on August 20 for instance it would be until Aug 19 the following year.

 Unfortunately anyone getting a licence now it will only be valid until June 30 this year. The cost of a “Club licence” is $80 or a full licence for Mototrials is $185. You only need a full licence if you intend to ride in a “Championship class” at a national championship event. So my advice to any of you new riders is to only get the $80 club licence. You can upgrade to a full licence later if you intend competing in a champs class at a NI or NZ champs event.

 So if you can decipher all that you will actually be better off purchasing one event licences for the next 3 club events (March, April, May) as that will cost you $75 against $80 for a club licence that’ll expire on June 30. Plus when you do apply for a club licence after June 30 you can get a $30 discount if you present two OEL’s – so keep that white copy that you spent $25 on last weekend.

 Just too complicated................

 Other news.

 MNZ in their wisdom have had a wee back pedal on the new sprocket/disc cover up rule and instead of being “effective immediately” (we ignored it anyway) we now have until May 1 to comply. After that we won’t be ignoring it. Hopefully I will have some stick on sprocket covers available soon and I do have some full front disc covers (Ossa ones) that are $25 if anyone wants one. Should fit any bike.

 Coming events.

 Tomorrow the Ixion club have a trial.

 March Club trial // Alexanders back property (maungatooks rd)

• Sunday, March 3, 2019
• 9:30 AM 4:30 PM 09:30 16:30
• Google Calendar ICS

 March 16/17. Rounds 1&2 of the NI Trials Champs in Waihi and near Pirongia in the Waikato. Entries close soon and if you haven’t seen an entry form and want one contact me and I’ll email it to you.

 March 24. MOMCC trial – round 1 of the club champs. Venue to be advised.

 And now a commercial break.

 Spanish Trial NZ have new stocks of trials helmets and clothing and Vertigo trials bikes. 1 x 250 and 16” 50cc kids bikes (same size as an Oset 16). Plus much more like brake pads etc. Even some Gas Gas parts. Nothing for Beta’s though.

Email me kptrials@xtra.co.nz  or call me on 0210319897

 And for anything Beta John Lawton’s your man at Kapiti Motorcycles – nztrials@xtra.co.nz or call 0276233011

 See you all soon

 Kevin Pinfold