Volume 2, Issue 1

TractionOff-ROad Riding e-Rag fOR RideRs by RideRs

VOLUnTeeR POWeRed!

JUne 2010 • fRee!

PaRis - dacRe PRePaRe fOR Pain!

VinTage TRiaLs Ride LanaRk

mOTO PhOTO mOJO

kTmkeVin PUTs yOU On The sPOT

in This issUe:

mOTO PhOTO ReVieW 8WORk n’ Ride 9geT skiLLs 10LanaRk TRiaLs 14PaRis dacRe 16

sTOck

bLing

caUghT On fiLm 2The VieW fROm heRe 3diRT fROm The PRez 4UPcOming eVenTs 5OVeR The baRs 12sTiLL kickin’ 13On The sOaPbOx 18exhaUsT nOTe 20

During the riders meeting at a recent PQ event this

unknown rider was caught in an unlikely pose. With

luck event organizers won’t go to this level to insure a favorable day to ride - but

you never know.

This sacrifice worked, the weather held until we were enjoying a cold beverage

at the truck. The skies opened up and it poured

rain. Maybe there is something to be said about

human sacrifice?

If you have pictures of your riding buddies in compromising positions, send them over and we will gladly embarrass them:

[email protected]

cover photo: Ripping it up at Woody’s 4 Hour last year. Nipping at the heels of Tyler Medaglia after the first lap. This kid was impressive!

Caught

on Film

Rider Sacrificed Before EventOrganizers Pray for Better Weather

PhOTO: chRisTian Lacasse

EditorDallas Shannon

The Missing EditorKaveri Gupta

LayoutThe Stig

ContributorsLarry MurrayMike HillierKTMKevin

Christian LacasseTrevor Blysma

Brian FlanniganGlen CooperDavid MakinMike O’Reilly

PhotographersKaveri Gupta

Christian LacasseCarolin Lueders

Mike HillierThe Stig

Writtenpermissionmustberequestedtoreproduce,orreprintallorportionsofthecontentcontainedherein.

©TractioneRagazine2010

We are currently looking for story ideas, contributingwriters&photographers.Ifyouwouldliketohavefunandparticipateinaoff-roadmotorcycleragjustforthehellofit,pleasedropusaline.Youdon’tneedtobeagoodwriter toparticipate, just enthusiasmanda loveof riding off-road. Reviews, interviews, mechanicalquestions&solutions,design,photography,ridereportsandeventcoveragearejustSOMEofthethingsweareinterestedin.Anythingoutsidethesetopicsoraweirdhybridof thesethings iswelcome. WehaveNOrulesandcandoandsaywhateverwewant!How’sthatforfreedomofexpression!

Tocontactanybody about anythingpleaseemailusat:[email protected]

Ifyouwouldliketoreceivethenewsletterbyemailpleasecontact:[email protected]

Traction eRagazine Disclamer: We in no way intend this to be acommercialpublication.Viewsexpressedhereareourownandshouldbetakenforwhattheyare-valueless.Afriendalwayssays“Don’tletthetruthgetinthewayofagoodstory”andwedoourbesttohonorthatstatement.Ifyouarelookingtochallengewhatyoureadhere-don’tbother,justassumeyouarerightandwearewrong.ThisragexistsbecauseweLOVEridingmotorcyclesoff-roadandwelovepublishing.Everythingisdonebyvolunteersandnomoneyisgenerated.Ifyouareunhappywiththatandfeeltheneedtosendusmoney-donationsareaccepted,PAYPALpreferred!Ifyouthinkyourproductorserviceshouldappearinthisrag,pleaseletusknowandwe’llseewhatwecando.


PhOTO by: kaVeRi gUPTa

Ican’tbelieveit’sonlyJune.

The riding seasonso far hasbeengreat. Greatweather,great riding opportunities and plenty of people takingadvantageofthem.I’vebeenriding6timesalready!TherehasbeenplentyofearlyseasoninterestintheeRAGandalotofpeoplechippingintohelpwithcontent.Itseemsthatwheneverweridethere issomethingthathappensthat isworthpublishing.

Thisissuehassomeinterestingstuff.GlenCooper,along-timeBMAmember,hasdecidedtocomeon-boardwitharegularmonthlycolumn.Ihadheardhewasa“closet”writerand I have been hoping hewould submit some content.Nowit’sofficial:GlenCooperisoutofthecloset.Hisfirstcolumn,aptlynamedStillKickin’,canbefoundinthisissue.Itisaboutpersonalobservationsonthemeritsofahavingathreesome.

Another newcomer, Bryan Flannigan, has decided toenlightenuswith riding techniqueandetiquettearticles. Ididnotknowthisuntilrecentlybut itturnsoutthatBryanhas an alter ego known as “Flanny”who happens to beADVfamous. He iswellknownonthatsite (advrider.com)forvideo rebuildsofhisbikes (KTM640s&950s). Wordaroundthecampfireisthatheisveryprecisewithhisworkanddoessomegreatvideos. Hiscolumn in this issue iscalled“OvertheBars”sotakehiscommentsforwhattheyareworth. Either he has learned from experience or hissuggestionswillsendYOU“overthebars”.Pleasetrythemandthenemailuswiththeresults.

I have been been mentally pre-occupied with the Paris-DacreRally. Ithasbeenonmymindand thismonth,aspromised,Iwroteashortbitaboutpreparingforthisevent.Evenbetter,inconjunctionwithmyPDteammates,wehavedecided to video log our pre-event preparation. A dailyvideoblogaboutwhatthehellwearedoing(ornotdoing)toprepareforthisevent.IhavezerovideoexperiencesoifyouarenotsignedupfortheParis-Dacrebutlookingforapainfulexperience,pleasecheckoutmyvideos.Flannyhasinstructedustotalkaboutourselvesandourbikes.Hesaidnottoworryasthevideologwould“takeonalifeofit’sown”. Forbetterorforworse,you’llgettoseeif thatactuallyhappens.

Inregardstoracing,anonymousSoapboxwriterKTMKevinhasanopinion(whichheoftendoes)thatdemandstobeheard.Ihavereadit,IhavelikeditandIamconsideringit.Youshouldtoo.

AninterestingthingishappeninginsideoftheBMA.People

arevolunteeringtheirtimetocuttrail.InthelastfewyearsithasbeenamysteryonhowtogetpeopletopitchinbutitlookslikeCalabogieBoogieTrailBossTrevorBlysmahasfigureditout.ItiscalledWorkn’Ride.TrevorhassubmittedsomeinformationandIthinkheisontosomething,thelasteventwasaresoundingsuccessandpeopledescribeditasfun.Wow.

EnjoyJune!

Writtenpermissionmustberequestedtoreproduce,orreprintallorportionsofthecontentcontainedherein.

©TractioneRagazine2010

We are currently looking for story ideas, contributingwriters&photographers.Ifyouwouldliketohavefunandparticipateinaoff-roadmotorcycleragjustforthehellofit,pleasedropusaline.Youdon’tneedtobeagoodwriter toparticipate, just enthusiasmanda loveof riding off-road. Reviews, interviews, mechanicalquestions&solutions,design,photography,ridereportsandeventcoveragearejustSOMEofthethingsweareinterestedin.Anythingoutsidethesetopicsoraweirdhybridof thesethings iswelcome. WehaveNOrulesandcandoandsaywhateverwewant!How’sthatforfreedomofexpression!

Tocontactanybody about anythingpleaseemailusat:[email protected]

Ifyouwouldliketoreceivethenewsletterbyemailpleasecontact:[email protected]

Traction eRagazine Disclamer: We in no way intend this to be acommercialpublication.Viewsexpressedhereareourownandshouldbetakenforwhattheyare-valueless.Afriendalwayssays“Don’tletthetruthgetinthewayofagoodstory”andwedoourbesttohonorthatstatement.Ifyouarelookingtochallengewhatyoureadhere-don’tbother,justassumeyouarerightandwearewrong.ThisragexistsbecauseweLOVEridingmotorcyclesoff-roadandwelovepublishing.Everythingisdonebyvolunteersandnomoneyisgenerated.Ifyouareunhappywiththatandfeeltheneedtosendusmoney-donationsareaccepted,PAYPALpreferred!Ifyouthinkyourproductorserviceshouldappearinthisrag,pleaseletusknowandwe’llseewhatwecando.

The view from hereby daLLas shannOn

PhOTO by: The sTig


wasafirstgearbattleoffatigue.Ibobbledandattemptedtowavehimonbuthegasps,“Noyougo, Ihavenorear

brakes.” Great, justwhat I needed tomake me feel better.I passed, seizing theonlyopportunitytodosoin2or3minutes.Iroaredahead,almosthitting second gearandasIdidIthoughtto myself “You poorbastard, if you wererunning a KTM I’dgiveyoumybrakes,Ihaven’tusedthemfor10K.”

In every race thereare“thankyous”andconsiderations foreveryone-thosewho

passedme,andthoseIpassed.Inasense,wewereallonthesameteam-havingfun,racingandriding,almost300ofus,allatonce.

Onanothernote,Isometimessitbackandwonder,“Whereiseveryoneonourteam?”TheBMAhas220members,butonly10%regularlyvolunteertohelpwithclubevents.Igetprettytired,letalonetheguyswhohaveleadthisclubfordecades.Maybethishornisnotloudenough?Isincerelyinvitetheremaining90%totellushowwecangetthemthisteam.Wehavearacetowin! Mike

I did my first race a few weekends ago, the Mini-PineEnduro,whichreceivedarecordnumberof riders (almost300).Beforethestartoftherace,IaskedDaveWrackandLarryMurrayhowfaster riderspass.Larrykindly letDaveexplain the technique - hollering, engine revving, “justdoit”,etc.ThenLarryleanedbackinhischairandsaid,“Mike,isn’twhatyoumean,“HowdoIpassslowerriders?”Duetowhat I’llcalla“Larry-induced-timing-mishap”,heand Iwereabletogetonthetrailsoonerthanourminuteshouldhaveallowed.Byfollowinghim,Iwitnessedwhatpassingwasallabout:

AGRESSION:Riderinsights,targetlocked,fireatwill.SURPRISE: The thundering Niagara of a completelyunexpected motorcycle horn in the bush, <the victimbobbles>, THEN the pass...THEN...(wait for it)...“THANKYOU!”

Fast forwardthroughthefirstandsecondtimedsections,agasbreak,and then the thirdsection. By this timemydehydrationmeterhasbenttheneedle.

Atthefourthandfinaltimedsection,myclutchhandfeltlikeithadbeendeadforyears.IhadnotseenLarrysincehewaitedformeatthelastcheck.IfigureditwassmartertolineupbesideaguyonaHusqvarna...theguywhostartswiththeenginehittingtherevlimiter,headoverthefender,andelbowspointingatthesky.“Youfirst”,IsaidasthreateninglyasIcould(rememberthedehydrationpart).Well,theminutehit,andIlitoutafterthatSOBlikeafoxafterarabbit.Iftherewere2straightsandoneturnIwouldhavesnatchedapeafrom themaster like noother.But, alas, thereweremoredamnedturnsthanIeverremembermaking.Ipassedsomerandomguy,thenhepassedme,thenIwasbackinfront.It

dirt from the prezby bma PResidenT mike hiLLieR

423-774-0028 • knobbyknife.com • [email protected]

for better gripping performance

Must have sharpening tool for every o� road rider.

Upcoming Events

ODSC & MOTOPARK DUAL SPORT EVENT EnTRy FEE - $30/BIKEThe D/S route will run both days and is roughly about400kms. Should individuals decide to bail and headback to the Motopark, the north/south roads of #6 and#10 inGreymergeatChatsworth (justnorthof thepark).It is simple to plan a “bail” when you have had enough.Reservedcampingspacesareavailableforthosewishingtoenjoybothdaysandrerunorfinishtheroute.Thesecondaryroadsandroadallowancesaregreatfun.AlinkstretchesfromMotoparktoTalismanSkiResort,southofMarkdale.Thefinalsectionwindsdowntheescarpment,overlooking the resort and one could imagine they are inNew England. Carl Bastedo has worked with TalismanResort and the lunch for both the road cruise and D/Smaybeenjoyedthere.

ALGONQUIN 2-DAY TRAIL RIDEMaDawaSKa, OnTaRIOPartoftheOntarioTrailRideSeriesSTaRT: aLL STaR RESORT15minuteseastofAlgonquinPark at the village of Madawaska on Major Lake Road.EnTRy FEE: $90(freedinnerifpreregisteredbyJune4)SIGn In: Friday 5pm - 9pm / Saturday 8am RIDERS MEETInG:Saturday&Sunday9amRIDE DURaTIOn: Appx. 150km Saturday Appx. 100kmSundayRIDE LEVEL:RecreationaltoExpertBikesmustbeplatedandinsured.CMAmembershipisnotrequired.GasavailableatgasstationonSaturdayandgastruckonSunday.

2 Hour Hare Scramble, Woody’s, Perth • June 13th Woody’sCycleclubharescrambleandannualspringpilgrimageintotheforest.Thisyear’seventispartoftheOff-RoadOntariocross-countryprovincialchampionship,http://offroadontario.ca.Registrationstartsat9amandpracticeisuntill11:15am.Racingstartsatnoon.ForinfocallCarolinorWoody6132676861ordirector-at-large@bytown-motorcycle-assoc.ca

Larose Forest Ride Day, Limoges • June 26th CheckoutthestatusoftheBMA’slatesttrailnetworkinEasternOntario.ForinformationcontactMarleneBleau.(613)[email protected]

Limerick Forest Kid’s Ride • July 11th LimerickForestFamilyRidenearRoebuck,ON.Forkidsofallages,non-competitive,andfocusedonfun.Trailsarealwayswellmarkedfordifferentridinglevels.Bikesmustbequiet,platedandlegal.Signin9-10,starttime10:30.SeeflyeratthiswebsiteorcontactMikeHillier(613)[email protected]

2 Hour Hare Scramble, Woody’s, Perth • June 13th Woody’sCycleclubharescrambleandannualspringpilgrimageintotheforest.Thisyear’seventispartoftheOff-RoadOntariocross-countryprovincialchampionship,http://offroadontario.ca.Registrationstartsat9amandpracticeisuntill11:15am.Racingstartsatnoon.ForinfocallCarolinorWoody6132676861ordirector-at-large@bytown-motorcycle-assoc.ca

Larose Forest Ride Day, Limoges • June 26th CheckoutthestatusofBMA’latesttrailnetworkinEasternOntario.ForinformationcontactMarleneBleau.(613)[email protected]

Limerick Forest Kid’s Ride • July 11th LimerickForestFamilyRidenearRoebuck,ON.Forkidsofallages,non-competitive,andfocusedonfun.Trailsarealwayswellmarkedfordifferentridinglevels.Bikesmustbequiet,platedandlegal.Signin9-10,starttime10:30.SeeflyeratthiswebsiteorcontactMikeHillier(613)[email protected]

BMA Family Fun Day • August 15th BMAFamilyFunday.Detailstobeannounced.

Calabogie Boogie Trail Ride, • September 11-12th Thisisourclub’sflagshipeventoftheyear,withtwodaysofprimeoffroadridingandarrowedroutestosuiteveryonefromnewbietopro.Trailheadsaremarkedformileageanddifficulty.Dualsportrouteofferedaswell.Oneandtwo-daypackages,pre-registrationisadvisable.Seeflyeratthiswebsiteandwatchforupdatesandinfo.Contact:TrevorBylsma613-271-6217orvice-president@bytown-motorcycle-assoc.ca

CVMG Trials, Lanark, Ont. • September 26th NearWatson’sCorners,thisisthefallroundofthelocalCVMGseriesforvintageandotherobservedtrialsenthusiasts.ContactDougHunter(613)[email protected]

Jim Kolman’s Chilli Run, Navan, Ont. • October 3rd Thisisaharescrambleeventforridersofallagesandskilllevels,frommini’stoexpertriders,womenandvets.Thetrackincludesopengrass,single-tracktrails,MXandendurocrosssectionsdesignedtobeentertainingandeasytonavigate.Thisisaperfectopportunityfornewracerstotryyourfirstscramble.Alsoaminitrackforthekidstoraceoninthemorningschedule.Trynottomissthelivebandandbon-fireSaturdaynightbeforetherace!Thereis,ofcourse,freecamping.FormoreinfocontactJimKolmanatWheelsport(613)[email protected]

BMA Fall Trail Ride • October 17th Detailstobeannounced.

BMA 4-hour harescramble, Woody’s • October 23rd TheColinSniderMemorial4-hourharescrambleisanannualfavourite,ateameventsetonacoursemeanttobefunbutreasonablychallenging.Theeventisafundraiserforlocalcharitiesandanexcellenteventforafamilygrouptohaveareallyfunday,socialize,kicksometiresandgetsomeracingexperiencetoboot.Nobikessmallerthan65cc.Callforinfo:CarolinorWoody6132676861.director-at-large@bytown-motorcycle-assoc.ca

bma 2010 club events(see forum and website bulletins for directions and additional information as events approach. don’t call us the morning of the event….we’re already riding!)

HelloReaders,

As many of you know, a BMA pictures website hasappearedonline.Sinceitslaunchithasproventobeagreatsuccess.

YouwillfindhundredsofridingpicturesthatweretakenduringBMAevents or other organized ridesbetweenmembers.Wehavereceivedsomegreatshotsbyriderswho participated in these rides.We’ve just uploadedsome2010photos!

Pleasegothereandenjoy,it’sfree!You’llfindpicturesofallsizesthatarefasttodownload.Ifyouwanttosavethemonyourcomputerorprintthematyourlocalphotodeveloper,pleasedo.Ifyouneedsupport,writeus.

Hereiswhatwewouldlike:

Bring a camera on your rides, shoot it and share it!

Toseethepicturesgoto:www.bytownmotorcycle.smugmug.comIf youwould like to see your pictures appear on thewebsite,pleasesendthemto:

[email protected] and [email protected]

HappySpringRiding!Chris

BMA SMUGMUGPHOTO MAGIC

check it out!

WOODY’S CYCLES KTM & HUSABERGOntario’s Oldest and Most Experienced KTM Dealer

Parts: We stock them all, call us for same-day shipping.

Service: From engine to suspension or just race tuning,

we’ve had your service needs covered since 1978.

Accessories: A huge stock of tires, riding gear, hard parts,

boots, handle bars, tubes, you name it, it’s at Woody’s.

We keep it in stock, and keep you running!

Motorcycles: You can relax and enjoy buying your next

See all our bikes on the Auto Trader website or at www.woodys-cycles.comWoody’s Race Watch: June 13th • 2 Hour Scramble (www.offroadontario.ca or call for info)October 24th • Colin Snider Memorial 4 hour Team Challenge

KTM or Husaberg from us. We take the time to sell you the right

bike, and more time to show you the service aspect, and small details, as nobody else will. No 10 minute sales process here, we take as long as you need. Our customers and bikes are very special to us.

Customer Riding Area: We’ve developed a huge and challenging

trail riding area for our friend and customers, now open for the

season. Call for details.

CONTACT US: 613-267-6861 OR 1-800-267-BIKE (819, 613 area codes) or email: [email protected]

www.bytownmotorcycle.smugmug.com


moto photo reviewANTHONY KERR

What better way to tella motorcycle story thanto bring back goodphotographs? Many riderstry but once back homerealize,“Thispicturedoesn’tdo this place justice - youshouldhaveseen it, itwasamazing”.

Allyouneedispracticeandthedeterminationtotakebetterpictures. Personally, if there is anything that capturesmyattention, it would be pictures from your last ride. YOURadventure, YOUR trip, YOUR crash, the incredible thingsYOUsawduringanygivenride.IwouldbesocuriousthatIwouldwatch the entire set if you letme.Weoftenhearthatanimageisworthathousandwords-thisisverytrue,especiallywhenthetopicismotorcycles.

Twoweeks ago I had the chance to read a PDF e-bookwrittenbyAnthonyKerrcalled“MOTOJOURNALISMBookOne - The Foundation”. This 41 page jewel gives manyexamples of “expert” tricks to bring better photographsbackfromyourmotorcyclingadventures,andthebestpartisthattheonlythingyouwillneedisyourcurrentcamera.

Using seven concepts, Anthony provides practicalknowledge that even a NOOB photographer can use toimprove their composition immediately. Anthony evenprovidesasummarizedversionofthis“magic”listthatyoucanprintandplaceinsidethemappouchofyourtankbag.

Anthony is a professional photographer who loves roadtrips.Onhislasttripherode30,000kilometersonaKLR650from Canada to Panama. He also shot 10,000 picturesduringhisjourney.Hetookphotographsofpeople,places,landscapes,bikes,andclose-ups.Theyaretrulyawesomeandwillprovidehim(andothers)withalifetimeofmemories.Heisjustaspassionateaboutphotographyasheisaboutridinghisbiketoinfinityandbeyond.Thisiswhyhe’screatedaseriesofe-booksthatarefullofexcellentpicturesandtipsforwannabephotographers.Thefirste-bookiscalled“TheFoundation”andthe$10youwillspendtobuyitonlinewillbethebestmoneyyouputintoyourcamera.

Gotowww.motojournalism.comtoseehisblogandbuythee-book!

FollowAnthony’s(Antontrax)adventuresat:www.tinyurl.com/yzq6nuh

Guapa, El Salvador

by chRisTian Lacasse

• Enduro Engineering

• E-Line accessories

• FaSST Company

• GPR Stabilizer

• Grunge Brush

• Brap Offroad

•Fredette Racing Products

• Flatland Racing

• K&P Stainless Oil Filters

• Stealthy Offroad

•Sicass Racing

• SFB Racing

• Terry Cable

• JD Jetting

• Power Blades

• Park Tools

• G2 Ergonomics

• accu-Mix Products

• Mud Suds

• Promoto Billet

• Trail Tech

• BRP

CanaDIan DISTRIBUTOR FOR:

Dealer inquiries call:

Allan Lachapelle450-292-3170

www.lrpdistributing.com11 Baker Pond RoadBolton Centre, QC

work n' rideIn the last fewweeks theBMAhas explored and tested aWork n’Ride trailmaintenanceprogram.Afterthefirstweekendoftestingitseemslikeagoodwaytoattractvolunteers.

CalabogieBoogieTrailBossTrevorBlysmahasthistosay:

“Wecommittotwohoursof‘working’ontrailmaintenanceandthengo‘riding’foratleastthreehours.ThemaingoaloftheWork‘n’Rideistohaveagreattrail rideandtomaintainsometrailsatsetpointsalongtheway. Atthestartofthedaywecollectattendee’snamestoreportvolunteerhourstotheBMA/OFTR.Wethenbreakupintosmallergroupsbasedoneachrider’sdesiredpaceandterrain.Allskilllevelsarewelcomeandwillbeaccommodated”.

TherearetwoothergoalsoftheWork‘n’Rides:

One is to get riders out and meeting other members of similar ridingpreferences.Workingalongsidesomeoneisagreatwaytogettoknowthemalittlebetter,somethingthatisn’tpossiblewhenridingdownatrailatspeed.

Theothersidegoal istoeducateattendeesontrailnamesandhowthetrailsinterconnect.Westopatintersectionsandpointoutlandmarkstoexplainwhereweareandhowitrelatestoothertrailsinthearea.

TheWork‘n’RideisreallyaboutenjoyingtheawesometrailswehaveinEasternOntarioandspendingalittletimekeepingthemingoodcondition.”

SofarthefirstWorkn’Ridewasahugesuccess.Thisisanexcellentwaytomeetridersofyourskilllevel,getaguidedtourofCalabogieareaandhelpouttheclub. Keepyoureyeson theBMAForumformoreupdateson thenextWorkn’RideprojectwhichwillmostlikelytakeplaceinearlyJunebutbeforethe12/13th.

GOT A HELLUVA STORY?WHY NOT SHARE?

Photos,productreviews,ridereports,areallwelcome.Gwammer,spwellingandpunatuationarealloptional(wehaveaGREATcopyeditor)!

EMaIL IT! [email protected]

When:Saturday,June19th-TrailRidersandBeginnersSunday,June20th-AdvancedRidersandRacersWhere:KTMAcres-Woody’sCyclesnearPerthLachapelle’sSchoolsaresuitableforalllevelsorridersfrombeginnerstoexpert.•Learnthesecretsoftrailmasteryandmachinesetupfromthismulti-timeCanadianChampioninafulldayofpracticalinstruction.•Learnsetuptips,maintenanceprocedures,andphysicalconditioningregiments.LearnaboutsettingyourSAGandsuspensionsetup.Makesaworldofdifferencetoyourriding.•Learnproperuseofyourmotorcyclescontrols,fromclutchfeathering,throttlecontrol,topegweightingandbraking.•Learnhowtodoquickandefficienttirechanges,properairfilterserviceprocedures.

$100forOFTRmembers/$120fornon-OFTRmembers.

Callformoreinfo,registration,anddirections.pre-registrationamust.613-267-6861

CORDUROY ENDUROLachaPeLLe Riding schOOL

PhOTO by: caROLin LUedeRs

bma cOde Of cOndUcT1.Donottrespassonprivateproperty2.Rideonexistingtrails3.Respectnature4.Respectandbecourteoustootherpeoplewhoalsohavetherighttobeonthetrails

5.Rememberthatfewothervehiclesareasmaneuverableasbikes,sogivetheotherslotsofroom

6.Huntcampownersdoalotoftrailgrooming-respecttheirefforts

7.Stopwhenyouseeahorse8.Donotrideduringhuntingseason9.Complywithalllegislation,bylawsandinsurancerequirements

10.Alwayswearahelmetandothersafetygear(buttakeoffyourhelmetifyoutalktosomeone)

11.Donotlitter12.Leavetheplacebetterthanyoufoundit13.KeepyourbikeQUIET.Moresound=lessground!

diRT bike hUmOURfirst aid?Aguywastearingdownthetrailonhisdirtbikebutthezipperbrokeonhisjacket,soitwaslettinganannoyingdraftin.Sittingonhisdirtbike,wonderingwhattodo,hefinallydecidedtoputthejacketonbackwards,sothebrokenzipperwasattheback.Hecontinuedtoridehisdirtbikeatincrediblespeeds,butlostcontrol.Anearbyfarmerheardthecrashinthebush,assessedthesituation,thencalled911onhiscellphone!“Ifoundadirtbikerideronthetrail,nexttothebikehecrashed!”hetoldtheoperator.Theemergencyoperatoraskedthefarmer“Isheshowinganysignsoflife?”“Well,”thefarmerexplained,“heWAS...untilIturnedhisheadaroundtherightway!”

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It isamazing tomehowwe takeour riding technique forgranted.Whetheritisawell-timeddabontherearbrake,alightfeatheringoftheclutch,oraslightshiftofbodyweight,ourcollectionoftinymovesmakesthedifferencebetweenclearingachallengingsectionorgettinghung-up.Theysaythat“theDevilhidesinthedetails”andthatiscertainlytrueofsuccessfuloff-roadridingtechnique.

IwillneverforgetthetimethataclosefriendandItookatriptoTexastorideintheBigBendNationalPark.Ihavebeenridingoff-roadsinceIwasjustaweelad,butmygoodfriendwasmostlyastreetrider(hehadlittleexperienceridingindirt,letaloneinsand,whichstrangelyenough,thereseemstobealotofinthedesert.)

Duringourrides,wewouldcruisetogetherslowlyforawhile,buttheninvariablyIwouldgetcaughtupinthemomentandfindmyselfhaulingassthroughthedesert,leavingmyfriendfar behind.Of course, Iwould stop andwait. Andwhenmy friend would finally arrive, he would be flustered andexasperated:“Ijustcan’trideinthissand.Ikeepcrashingintheturns.Eveninstraightlines,thebikeisjustweavingallovertheplace!Thisisimpossible!”

Iwouldsuggesta fewthings:“Areyousteeringwithyourback-end? You really need to let your back-end breakloose,andletthatbringthebikearound”.Hewouldnod,wewouldkeepgoing,andthenhewouldeventuallyfallwaybehindagain.

At each stop, I would try in vain to impart some of thewisdomIhadlearnedovertheyears.“Areyoustandingonthepegs?Insand,youneedtokeepyourtoesup,andyourweightbacksothatyourfront-enddoesn’tdive.”Or,“youreallyneedtokeepleadingthrottleinthesand.Ifyouchopthegas,yourfrontendwilldiginandgiveyoutrouble”.

Thiscyclehappenedoverandoveragain(ascyclestendtodo).At33drydegrees,afterhavingtopick-uphisheavybikefromtheirritatingsandamilliontimes,itwasallbecomingtoomuchformyexhaustedfriend.

“Wellit’snodamnwonderIcan’tridedownhere!”,hefinallyexclaimed in frustration. “Everything you’re tellingme todoistheexactoppositeofwhatIknow!You’retellingmetosteerwiththebackandnotthefront,you’retellingmetostandandnotsit,andyou’retellingmetokeepthegasopeninsteadofusingmybrakes!”Hewasjustshakinghisheadindisbelief.

Trueenough,Ithought,ridinginthesandreallydoesrequireadifferenttechnique.Nowonderhewasfrustrated.

Thatmomenthas reallystuckwithmeover theyears. Inthisregularcolumn, Ihopetosharewithyousomeoftheaccumulated kernels of knowledge that I have managedtopickuponridingtechniqueandbikeset-upforoff-roadriding.IftheDevilistrulyhidinginthedetails,thenletthehideandseekbegin.

over the barsby bRyan (fLanny) fLannigan

nO WOndeR i can’T Ride This sTUff!

PhOTO by: The sTig

So,youarethinkingofgoingridingthisweekend.Youcalledafewofyourridingfriends,butonridedayonlyoneguyisavailable.Bothofyouhappento live inacaveandforgotthat itwasMothersDayor Thanksgiving (or someotherimportantholidayfornormalpeople)andeveryoneelse intheworld has a life except you andBuddy. Of course,you decide to go anyway. Youmeet, do a Timmy’s drivethruandheadnorthtowardsCalabogie.Youpackedallthenecessarystuff:bikes,ridinggear,fluids,tirepump,aspare21”tube(realridersknowwhy),somemunchies,GPS,yourfavoriteassortmentoftools,etc.YoualsobroughtaropeincaseyouhavetotowBuddyoutofthebushbecausethatwillneverhappentoyou.

Sowhatdidn’tyoubring?Didyoubringsometoiletpaper,justincasetheTimmy’sdoubledoublebringsonaCIS(CoffeeinducedS#!T)?GettingtowatchBuddyhavingtowipehisarsewithhissocks=priceless!Howaboutacellphone,firstaidkit,ducttape,fiveminuteepoxy?Asolarblanket,afoilitemthatisaboutthesizeofadeckofcardswhenfolded,weightsaboutasmuchasapackofgumbutcanbeusedtocoveraninjuredpersonandkeepthemwarm?Howaboutatrailmapofthearea?Didyouletpeopleknowwhereyouwouldberidingandwhattimetoexpectyouhome?

Thisisalongwaytogettothepointofthisarticle.

Themostimportantthingyoushouldbringisa third rider. Youshouldnever ridewith less than3 riderswhen ridinginremotearea.Ifsomeonegetsinjuredandthereareonly2ofyou,thenyouwouldhavetomakeaseriousdecision.Do you go for help and possibly leave your friend to diealoneordoyoustaywithhimandwatchhimdie?Iknowthis is a serious scenario but it can happen.Cell phonesdon’talwaysworkinremoteareas.Ifyoudohave3ormorepeoplewithyou,thepersonwiththemostfirstaidtrainingshouldstayandthepersonwhogoesforhelpshouldtakeawaypointreadingbeforetheyleavesotheycanfindtheirwaybackwithhelp. If youhaveevergoneouton foot toscoutatrailyouknowhowharditsometimestojustfindwhereyouleftyourbike.Also,makesuretheridergoingforhelphasenoughfueltomakeitback.Ihavebeeninafewsituationswherewehadtogethelpforaninjuredrideranditdoestakeawhiletogethelpandreturnwhenyouareina remotearea.Thatsaid,youmayhaveahiddenagendaandhavebeeneyeingupBuddy’snewbikeandmaywanttoleavehimtherealone.Inthatcase,makesureyourridingbuddy’sbike isnicerthanyours,hemightbethinkingthesamething.

RideSafe,RideSmart!

Coopout.

STILL KICKIN'by gLen (cOOP) cOOPeR

a charm3sPhOTO by: The sTig

PhOTO by: daLLas shannOn

Checks &BalanceLanaRk sPRing TRiaL sUmmaRy

shaun O’Reilly 49 1972 honda TL125doug hunter 50 1956 ariel hTReid masson 54 1986 honda TLR 200mike O’Reilly 56 1976 montesaTony funnekotter 57 1997 montesaJP Laroque 60 1981 bultacoeric Pritchard 61 1973 yamaha 175steve Tucker 66 1964 bsaJ bouchard 68 1976 hondaJacques gagne 69 1974 honda

RESULTS

This event was for fun, and there was a wide variety of machinery and choice of lines. Wisely, a few riders did not attempt Sections 9 and 10, which became progressively more difficult (and they were never easy, even the C line) as the event progressed. When we set the event up, we never considered the possibility of snow the night before the trial.

There were fifteen riders in total, a very good turnout considering the rotten weather that preceded the event.

I hope many of you will be able to join the fun at the 2010 Ormstown Vintage Off Road Festival august 13-15. For more info visit: www.rocler.qc.ca/ariane/

The Paris Dacre Rally (PD) is on the June 26th and I have got PD on the brain. In the last few weeks, I have been thinking about the event a lot more than I anticipated. Fifteen-to-twenty hours on an off-road bike with no breaks is a big deal for me because I have never done anything like this before (never even been in a race before) so there are a lot of “what ifs” running through my head. As a first time PDer and first time racer, I am doing my best to be mentally, physically and mechanically prepared.

Mentally, it will be a long day but the truth is, I have always loved long road trips. I think this fits into that category: a very long difficult road trip. As anybody who has been on a long off-road ride knows, your energy levels and mental well-being ebb and flow with the conditions (how often you have to pick your bike up), your fitness level, and your on-bike nutrition and hydration. On the trail, it is amazing how much better you feel after a 10 minute snack and drink break. For all the PD riders, I suspect they will mentally have both good times and bad times during the PD. As a team, we will have to recognize and accommodate the rider that feels the worst at any given time of the rally. We have to acknowledge that we will all feel mentally low at some point during the ride but if we make allowances for this and adjust we can limit the mental mistakes that will affect our teams outcome. If we ignore this variable, I think it will only be a matter of time before the weakest rider (at

any given time) makes a mistake that will ultimately affect our teams ability to finish. Being aware of this, accepting it and adjusting for our teammates varying mental states will be a key factor in finishing the race. In general, I don’t know how I will deal with the highs and lows but if I catch myself complaining into my helmet I will quickly remind myself there are much more difficult situations I could be in. Ever read Man’s Search for Meaning (by Victor Frankl)? ‘Nuff said.

Physically, I think it will be painful. There is no way to avoid this. The question is going to be, how painful? Even if a rider shows up to the event in good shape with lots of riding under his/her belt, this will still be a difficult event to complete. For those who have not rode their bikes regularly in the last 8 weeks, this will be a very uncomfortable and painful ride. As everyone knows there is something called “bike shape”. You can run, lift weights and do yoga but until you get some bike mileage under your belt, you still get tired and sore on your bike. All the cross training does is allow you to get in better “bike shape” faster. The main reason you want to limit your physical pain is because when you are uncomfortable (re: pain) you fatigue faster. As you fatigue you make mistakes. To complete this event you want to limit your mistakes. A lot can happen when making mistakes at speed. Crashes can lead to mechanical or physical damage both would drastically limit your teams ability to finish. Remember, teams are made up of 3-5 riders and a mistake by one team member will echo through the entire team. I have been physically active doing many different things: cutting and piling wood (though I haven’t got around to that yet...), mowing my (large) lawn with a hand mower and I have been riding my bike as much as possible. If there is a chance to do something physical, I have been taking it. I am not saying I am going to be in world class shape, but I think I will be ok.

“This WiLL be a VeRy UncOmfORTabLe and PainfUL Ride”Mechanically, I cannot say that I am very precise. This is an admitted weak point. I am learning more with each mechanical disaster I encounter but “confident” is not a word I’m ready to use . My bike (06 450 EXC) has been very reliable and every problem I have run into was the direct result of my inability to spot a worn part and deal with it BEFORE the ride. My eye for worn parts has improved but there are still things that I have not had to deal with and therefore sit in the “unsolved mysteries” file. Until this spring, valve adjustment came as easy as

paris dacreman’s seaRch fOR meaning

PhOTO by: The sTig

by: daLLas shannOn

quadratic equations. To combat my “problem”, all of my consumable parts will be replaced and I will have one of my mechanically inclined friends do a once over before race weekend. Like anything, repetition will improve my mechanical ability so I consider it my duty to put my mileage on the bike - all in the name of improving my mechanical skill.

The next 4 weeks will be dedicated to personally improving all three of these categories for the running of the PD on June 26th. The Paris Dacre Rally team that I have been invited to ride with, Team FTV, is posting 30 day countdown video logs of what we are individually up to in regards to preparing for the PD ride. I have no experience with video but will do my best. I have no doubt that the video logs from my team will be entertaining. Please go here to view our video logs:

WWW.fLannymedia.bLOgsPOT.cOm

aLReady LOsT

PaRis dacRe cOUnTdOWn VideOsThe Paris Dacre Rally team that I have invited to ridewith,TeamFTV,isposting30daycountdownvideosofwhatwe’reuptoinregardstopreparingforthePDride.I personally havenoexperiencewith videobutwill domybest,nodoubtthevideologsfrommyteamwillbeentertaining.

Team FTV will be posting video blogs from 30 daysbeforeandcountingdowntothe“BigEvent”onFriday,June25th.Everyday startingWednesday, May 26th, FlannyMediawillbeposting the teamvideoblogs leadingup to theParis-to-DacreatFlannyMedia.Blogspot.com.Follow-alongaswetrytogetouracttogetherintimefortheevent...Shouldbefun!-Flanny

PhOTO by: The sTig

I assume that since you arereadingthisfinepublication,youhaveadirtbikeinthegarageand

youlovetoride.Allweekyoulookforwardtogettingouttherewithyour

pals and demonstrating your meagerskillsand feeblefitness.Youdreamabout

gnawingonnewterrainwhilenotcrashingupasubstantialpartsbill.Youwanttopushyourlowlylimitswithoutendingupononeofthosepainfuldeathrides.

Well,myslightlyrotundfriend,haveIgotadealforyou!Howwouldyouliketoride,foraverynominalfee,awell-arrowedpieceofrealestatethatyouprobablyhaveneverlaideyeson before? You can go out and either hammerwith yourbuddies or ride at your ownpace and enjoy the scenery.Andthebestpart is thatyouarenevermorethatabout5kilometersfromtheparkingarea.Soundsgood,right?Wanttoknowhowtogetinonthisdeal?Well,it’sverysimple-enterarace.Nowthatthehowlinghassubsided,stickwithmeforamomentinsteadofscanningtherestofthismagforscantilycladmembersoftheoppositesex;youshouldknowbynowthatthisisafamilypublication.It drives me crazy that such a low percentage of clubmemberstakeadvantageoftheridingavailablebothlocallyandintherestoftheprovincebecauseyouhavearbitrarilydecidedthatyouarenota“racer”withoutevergiving itachance.Getthisthroughyouralcohol-ladencerebellum:youcandothis.Youdon’thavetobefast,skilledorevenfit(weallknowthatyouaren’t).Thekeyhereispropermindset.

The reality is that whatever class you enter, therewill beabouthalfadozen ridersvying for theclasswin.Youarenotoneofthem.Soerasethatwhole“winning”mindsetasquicklyaswhateveryourspousesaidtoyouasyouwalkedoutthedooryesterday.Nowyoucanjustgooutandrideatwhateverpacesuitsyouonthatparticulardayandenjoythetrailsandthecompany.Listenupnoodlenoggin,thereisn’tanythingwrongwith treatinga raceasanother trail ridingadventure.Idoitallthetime.IjustridearoundatapacethatIfigureIcansustainfortwohoursorfourhours.ImakesurethatIpulloffwhenIhearthefastpeopleapproachingfrombehind(youwillhearthem)soasnottoaffecttheresultsforthoseyoungpupspushingforaclasswin.

If I can do it, you can do it. Many times I have heardcommentsabouthowfriendlyandlow-keyBMAclubracesare.Theseareperfectopportunitiesforyoutogiveitago.Therereallyaren’tmanyrules.Youdonothavetoridethewholerace.Tired?Comeinforadrinkandarest.Suspension

notworkingright?Comeintomakesomeadjustmentsandtake awell-deservedbreak.Make some sort of goal thatyouwanttoachieveonraceday.Forme,mygoalistomakeittothecheckeredflagregardlessofmyplacing(especiallywhen“IronMan-ing”thefour-hour).

I can sense all the excuses you are concocting in yourbeleagueredbrain: tooold/tooslow/toooutofshape/bikenotready/lawnneedsmowing/needtodofingernailsandhair/spousesaid“noway”etc.Well,mychubbychum,thisis all irrelevant. You aremissingout on someof thebestridingavailablesimplybecauseyouthinkyournota“racer”.Getoveritandgiveitatry!Andwhenyoudo,stickaroundfor the beer and bench racing afterwards. Some of thestoriesgettallerthanDallas.

You’rewelcome.

by kTmkeVin

by kTmkeVinUp On My Soapbox

kTm keVin finaLLy has his head scReWed On RighT

ThisphotowastakenonMay9thattheWatson'sCornerstrialsevent.ThreegenerationsofO'Reilly'sL.toR.:JeffAckert(Jeffakertalope),Shaun,Matt,Paul(83onApril1st)andMike.

LanaRk TRiaLs 2010 makin faRm

byLarryMurray

sTanding UP OR siTTing dOWn! (whiletrailridingandracingoff-road)

Overmymanyyearsofriding,therehasbeenalotoftalkaboutthebestridingposition:standinguporsittingdown.Fortherecord,IcantellyouthatIhavebeenpassedmanytimesbyridersstandingupandmanytimesbyriderssittingdown.Icanalsotellyouthateachtimethatsomeonepassesme Iwatch and try to learn from them. There is no clearanswer to this question, however I thinkmost of the topriderswilltellyoutoSTANDUP,andtoSTAYSTANDINGUPforthewholeride.Standingupgivesyoumanyadvantagesoversittingdownandtherearetwobasicstandingpositionsweneedtotalkabout.Butfirst,let’stalkabouthowtosetupourbikes.

Placeyourbikeonabikestandthatwillpermityoutomountthe bike without falling over. Standing on the pegs with

100%ofyourweightbalancedonbothfeet,nowplacebothhandsonthegrips. Theyshouldbe inaneutralposition.Adjustyourbarsforwardandbackuntilyoufindtheperfectlocation foryou, thispositionwillmost likelybehigherormore forward than the stock set-up. Take the time to dothisandyouwillbegladyoudid.Dependingonyourheight,youmayneedtoaddaftermarketbarriserswhichtypicallymovethebarsupandforward.

FIRST STANDING POSITIONStandingonthefootpegswithalmost90%ofyourweighonthepegs,handsonthehandgripswithlittleornoweightonthebars,elbowsbentandoutslightly,yourheadupandjustaboutthecenterofthebars,yourkneesshouldbebentwithlightpressureonthetank,thisisagoodstancetotakewhileridinganovaltrackweuseforteaching.Theovaltrackis50metersby30meterswithaslightgrade(slope)onthestraights.

Ridearoundthetrackwhiletryingtokeepallyourweightonthepegswithlittleornopositive/negativepressureonthebars.Speedupandslowdownwhileadjustingyourbodypositionforwardandback.Trytokeepallyourweightonthepegs.Asyouridearoundthecornerstrytokeepyourhand to shoulder distance the sameon the right and leftside.Yourshouldersshouldalwaysbeparalleltothebarsofthebikeandthisisdonebymovingyourbottomtotheleftandtotheright.Remembertokeepyouweightonthepegsandyourheadupwhilelookingasfarupthetrailasyoucan.Ifyoutrythisyouwillbeamazedhownaturalitfeels.Afterabitoftimeyouwillbeamazedonhowstableyouare.Relaxandenjoythispositionandyoushouldstarttobecomeverycomfortable.Bydoingthisyoupickupabout6”/150mm+/-travel to your suspension making for a smoother morecontrolledridewhileusinglessenergy.

SECOND STANDING POSITIONThisposition is likethefirstbut ismuchmoreaggressive.Thisisagreatwaytoraceinthewoods,oncross-countrytracksandroughfasttrails.

Your arms and knees should be bent making your headlower.Atthesametimethiswillloweryourcenterofgravityandmostlikelypushsomeofyourweightbackwhenridingfast.Youshouldstill try tokeepyourweighton thepegsandnotbepullingorpushingonthebars.Trytokeepyourtoesup,yourheadupandlookingforwardnotdown.Inthispositionyourshoulderswillbelowerandyourelbowsoutandupmorethen inthefirstposition.Thisridingpositionwillnaturallymakeyouridemoreaggressively.Asyouenterintoacornertrytomovesomeweightforward,youwillbetravelingfastersomoreweightwillbeneededonthefront

exhaust note by LaRRy mURRay

wheeltokeepitfromwashingout.ThisisabitofabalancingactandIpersonallytend to overload the front wheel to tryandfindthatsweetspot.Playwithyourbodyposition and findoutwhatworksfor you but try to keep your shouldersparalleltothebarsofthebikeandmoveyourlowerbodyasneeded.

One of the nice things about ridingstanding up is that you have lots ofopportunitytotransferweightforjumping,turning,brakingandaccelerating.

IhavealwaysnoticedthatwhenIstandup, I shift up a gear and ride in thepowerbandofmybike.Thismakesmeand my bike ready for the unknownsahead.Iamcertainanaggressiveridingpositionwillmakeyouafaster,strongerrider. Unlike the first standing positionthere is nothing relaxing about thisposition. Your body and mind will beready for anything the trail or trackwillcomeupwith.Youmaywant tospendsome time at the gym if you plan toridelikethisforhoursasitisphysicallydemanding.

Iwillsavemycommentsonsittingdownfornextmonth.Iwillbefourweeksoldernext month and that will give me fourmoreexcuseswhymynewpositionwillbesittingdown!

JustforFunLarryMurray


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Volume 2, Issue 1