Trials Training Center

USGP/Wagner Cup photos, videos, blog posts

2008-04-27T06:53:00.002-05:00

Just a reminder: I'm blogging all the action from this week's event over at the TrialsUSGP site, not here.

New posts to the TrialsUSGP blog

2008-04-17T15:29:00.001-05:00

I've got quite a few new posts on the TrialsUSGP blog.

Press release
Last day to order tickets online
Schedule/timetable of events
World competition update
Comments enabled; email alerts and RSS feed options available
Directions and Contact Us pages added
Video preview of Sections 6, 9, 11
Video preview of Sections 3, 4, 5
Video preview of Sections 1 and 2
Photos: sections preview
Section prep update
Promo in American Motorcyclist magazine
Wagner Cup flyer
Site map

I'll be arriving at the TTC one week from today but 99% of all my blogging will occur on the TrialsUSGP blog, not here.

Mototrial article, photos

2008-04-11T09:58:00.001-05:00

Dan and I wrote and submitted this article on the Trials Training Days Mototrial to miscellaneous motorcycle pubs. If and when the article gets published, we'll link to it.

The Trials Training Center (TTC) in Sequatchie, TN held its annual Trials Training Days weekend on March 29-30, and this year it featured a MotoTrial after the instructional sessions concluded on Saturday.
A MotoTrial is an endurocross on steroids, a race over a course of trials obstacles. Unlike a trials competition, no points are deducted for dabbing one's feet for balance.
TTC's Dan Brown and colleagues laid out the race course on the rocky creek and hillside adacent to the cabins, site of Section 15 from the 2006 World Round. Brown allowed the riders an hour of practice at noon, but afternoon rain prompted him to make some last-minute adjustments prior to the 5 pm start, as muddy rocks made parts of the course too difficult for a race.
Two initial preliminary heats of one lap were held, four riders in each heat, with the winners, six-time national trials champion Ryan Young and current national #4 Will Ibsen, advancing to the final. A last-chance heat of the four remaining riders from the first round was held, with the top two riders, Ronnie Commo and Mike Helstrom, advancing to the two-lap final.
Ibsen got out to an early lead in the first lap, with Young close behind. Helstrom got stuck midway up the rocky hillclimb and was still there by the time Ibsen and Young came around on the final lap. They both got hung up trying to go around him and after a 30-second stuggle, Ibsen peeled off to take a lower, longer line around the top of the hill, while Young pushed on over the top.
Ibsen emerged in front of Young by a few yards on the steep downhill and had to make a choice of an inside or outside line through the hairpin turn at the bottom. He chose the faster outside line, knowing that if he didn't execute it perfectly, Young would likely pass him on the inside.
He misjudged his speed into the turn, wiped out, and Young cruised by for an easy 100 yards to the finish line and the $500 winning purse. Ibsen took home $300 for second, and Commo $100 for third.

1. Eventual winner Ryan Young, smiling his way to victory in his preliminary heat.
2. Mike Helstrom about to slam into Alex Bedley in their preliminary heat.
3. Alex Bedley and Andrew Blane looking for an alternate route around a downed Karl Davis in their preliminary heat.
4. Lap one of the final at the bottom of the hillclimb: Will Ibsen leads Ronnie Commo, Ryan Young, and Mike Helstrom.

5. Mike Helstom, down for the duration on lap one of the final.
6. Ryan Young and Will Ibsen struggle past Mike Helstrom on lap two of the final.
7. Will Ibsen crashes on the downhill hairpin turn as Ryan Young cruises by.
8. 1st place finisher Ryan Young with TTC's Dan Brown, Mototrial organizer.

Photos and video: Little kids playing on the TTC playground

2008-03-31T23:09:00.002-05:00

In order of appearance above: Karl Davis, Jr., Clark Myers, Ronnie Commo, Eric Storz.

Click play to watch. 50 seconds.

Three generations of Browns

2008-03-31T22:40:00.001-05:00

Left: TTC head honcho Dan Brown, grandson Joey, and Joey's uncle Dan Brown, Jr.
Center: Joey and Grandpa Dan in one of the upcoming World Round sections
Right: Dan Brown, yelling for Catherine. Click play to listen.

TTD: hand gestures are big

2008-03-31T08:07:00.001-05:00

As I reviewed my photos from the Trials Training Days (TTD) weekend, I was struck by the number of photos I had of instructors using hand gestures to illustrate the finer points of trials riding. So I've placed 18 of them in one album/slideshow:

In order of appearance: Charlie Roberts, Ryan Young, Alex Bedley, Andrew Blane, Mike Helstrom, Karl Davis Jr., Neil Storz, Jim Zuroske, and Dan Brown.

Balancing act: Andrew and Nathan

2008-03-31T07:18:00.002-05:00

In between coaching sessions on Saturday, instructors Andrew Blane and Nathan Glinski demonstrated their balancing skills.

Click play to watch. 34 seconds.

TTD session with Alex Bedley: camber turns, hills

2008-03-30T22:44:00.001-05:00

TTC instructor Alex Bedley led sessions on camber turns and hills today, Day Two of Trials Training Days. See the album of photos or this slideshow:

TTD session with Ryan Young: floater turns photos and video

2008-03-29T21:54:00.003-05:00

See the album of photos from this afternoon's TTD session with Ryan Young, or this slideshow:

Click play to watch. 4 minutes

TTD session with Andrew Blane: hopping and nose wheelie photos and video

2008-03-29T21:44:00.004-05:00

See the album of photos from this morning's TTD sessions with Andrew Blane, or this slideshow:

Click play to watch. 5 minutes 40 seconds

Mototrial at TTD

2008-03-29T21:18:00.001-05:00

See the photo album of today's Mototrial or this slideshow:

1st place: Ryan Young
2nd place: Will Ibsen
3rd place: Ron Commo

TTD photos: miscellaneous people

2008-03-29T21:16:00.002-05:00

See the photo album of miscellaneous people at Trials Training Days today or this slideshow

Saturday morning riders' meeting, Trials Training Days

2008-03-29T12:28:00.001-05:00

Left: Catherine Bedley, extracting money
Left center: Ryan Young (left) observing last minute session sign-up
Center, right center: Dan Brown, preaching
Right: Brad Baumert, disciplining somebody

Photos and video: Andrew Blane, TTC resident pro

2008-03-28T13:43:00.002-05:00

I took a couple dozens photos and a few minutes of video of the TTC's resident pro/coach, Andrew Blane, this morning, working out on the logs and rocks in the practice area. See the photo album or this slideshow:

Used bikes for sale at the TTC

2008-03-28T11:30:00.001-05:00

Left: 2006 GasGas 280 $4300.00
Left center: 2007 GasGas 250 $5000.00
Right center: 2006 GasGas 300 $4500.00
Right: 2006 GasGas 280 $4500.00

There will also be some minder bikes for sale after the World Round in April... new bikes, used only by the minders.

Photo album of lodge and cabins

2008-03-27T19:41:00.002-05:00

The sun came out unexpectedly this afternoon so I raced around taking photos of the TTC lodge and cabins. See the 30+ photos in the album (including the interior lodge photos I took last night) or this slideshow:

Revised directions to the TTC

2008-03-27T13:12:00.002-05:00

Here are updated directions to the Trials Training Center (PDF of the info below). We'll replicate these on the old Directions page in a week or so.

Web-based map sites can help you, but note that Google's map of the area has a number of errors and it doesn't have detailed satellite images. So it's best to use this Mapquest link instead, even though it doesn't provide a URL I can send you to that would allow you to zoom directly to the TTC grounds. Also, both Google and Mapquest mistakenly refer to Coppinger Cove Road as 'Sequatchie Cove Rd'.

Here's my Mapquest screenshot taken at Level 13, with my arrow pointing to the TTC lodge. (Click all images to enlarge.)

The town of Sequatchie has a latitude of 85.637084 and longtitude: 35.163396

GPS: N 35.08.357 and W 085.36.564

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Directions to the TTC

From Chattanooga, take I-24 west for about 30 miles to Exit #155 (Jasper/Hwy 28). Go north (right) on Hwy. 28, a 4-lane divided highway.

After 2 miles, the 4-lane becomes a 2-lane highway, and at 2.6 miles, you'll see a Trials Training Center sign on the right.

Go west (left) on Mel Dixon Road for about 1.2 miles and you'll come to stop sign at a T, with another TTC sign by the fence, a cemetery on your right. Here's what you'll see:

Turn north again (right) on Betsy Pack Drive/Valley View Hwy. After 1.3 miles, you'll get to the town of Sequatchie.

From the center of Sequatchie, keep going another mile and you'll see another TTC sign on the right as you approach the intersection with Coppinger Cove Road (with a large white Coppinger Cove Baptist Church sign). Photo:

Go west (left) on Coppinger Cove Road for another 1.2 miles. You'll see another TTC sign as you pass the Baptist Church.

Go south (left) on the winding, narrow gravel road (called Woodland Road but there's no sign) and follow that for about a half mile (staying left the entire way) to the TTC camping area, with the lodge at the very end.

=============

From Nashville, take I-24 southeast about 100 miles to Exit #152 (Kimball/Jasper/Hwy 64). Go northeast (left) on Hwy. 64 for 4.4 miles to Jasper.

At the main intersection in Jasper (Court House Square), take a left (north) onto Betsy Pack Drive/Hwy 41. After 1.2 miles, Hwy 41 veers west (left) to Tracy City but DO NOT FOLLOW it. Continue straight north. You'll see a TTC sign on the left and road sign "Whitwell 10, Dunlap 25" for those towns. Sequatchie is unincorporated so it's not included but if it was, it would say "Sequatchie 2."

Continue north on Betsy Pack Drive (it turns into Valley View Hwy. after Mel Dixon Road) for 2.1 miles to Sequatchie. See above "From the center of Sequatchie..." for the remaining directions.

Here's a revised map.

And a 6 minute video of driving from Sequatchie all the way to the TTC lodge.

The webmaster arrives at the TTC

2008-03-26T23:57:00.001-05:00

It's late but I have finally arrived at the TTC after working on the website and blog since 2004. I'm a TTC virgin. ;-)

I'll be here through the Trials Training Days weekend, playing, learning, taking lots of photos, videotaping, and blogging, blogging, blogging.

I just met Andrew Bane who stopped by for a bedtime snack here at the lodge. I told him he's in charge of upgrading my skills.

My first task in the morning, however, will be to add more detail and maybe some visuals to the directions on how to get here.

Update to 'How to Hop Like a Spring Buck' instructional page

2008-03-22T06:14:00.005-05:00

I've combined all the downloadable video files into one Flash video for the How to Hop Like a Spring Buck instructional page, part of the How to Ride series from 2004-05 that we did in conjunction with Trials Comp.

Coming soon: Trials Training Days, March 29-30, 2008

2008-03-18T12:02:00.001-05:00

See the Trials Training Days flyer for all the info on TTD 2008.
See this blog post for details on the Mototrial event for the pros.
See these PDFs/links from the 2007 Trials Training Days:

Then visit the online registration page to sign up.

Questions? Contact us!

UPCOMING CLASSES FOR MARCH-MAY, 2008

2008-03-17T16:05:00.001-05:00

MARCH, 2008

March 21/22
x-Training 101 (2 DAY CLASS)
Trials Instructional
Instructor: Andrew Blane
5 Spaces Available

March 29/30
Annual Trials Training Days (2 DAY CLASS)
Instructors: Andrew Blane, Alex Bedley, Charlie Roberts, Mark Sturtevant, Steve Glinski and many other expert riders
Unlimited Space Available
Cost $100.00 for both days
Camping available

APRIL, 2008

April 8/9(2 DAY CLASS)
x-Training 101
Trials Instructional
Instructor: Andrew Blane
1 space available

April 12/13
x-Training 101 (2 DAY CLASS)
Trials Instructional
Instructor: Andrew Blane
5 spaces available

April 19
Trials 4 A Day Instructional
Instructor: Andrew Blane
5 spaces available

May 2008

May 3
Trials 4 A Day Instructional
Instructor: Andrew Blane
5 spaces available

May 10/11(2 DAY CLASS)
x-Training 101
Trials Instructional
Instructor: Andrew Blane
5 spaces available

Any TRIALS 4 A DAY class can be taken on the first day of any 2-day class.

Private instruction available upon request, $360.00 per day, plus bike rental costs (if needed).

Mototrial Event at Trials Training Days

2008-02-29T06:25:00.002-06:00

The very popular Trials Training Days event is set for March 29-30, and a special event is planned for the pros.

This year will include a "Mototrial" consisting of a side-by-side race over a course set especially for the best riders in the U.S. on trials bikes. This race will make Endurocross look like a trail ride for sissies! After a day of training and practice on Saturday, the race will take place for Pros only on the hillside behind the cabins.

Ryan Young says he's rested & ready to teach the kids a lesson they won't forget!

Wagner Cup update

2008-02-27T06:42:00.003-06:00

Preparations are at a fever pitch here at the TTC as we get ready to host the 2008 Wagner Cup, rounds 3 and 4 of the FIM Spea Trial World Championship.

We'll have a new shop building ready for all the official functions and scoring.

The course is set, sections roughed out in my head and mostly cleared but a lot of work remains to get ready. 12 of the 15 sections will be very close by, with some spectacular new stuff near Bilbao falls. The Mother of All Hillclimbs will return, only this year it goes to the TOP! 3 of the sections will be for the hardy hikers, but well worth the visit to the top of the mountain at the 60ft high Lampkin falls; this is the most stunning and scenic spot on the property and not to be missed.

Our latest addition to the TTC fleet is a Suzuki Samurai, which can haul chainsaws, generator, hammer drill, and is used to traverse to almost anywhere; I think Charlie's fingerprints are embedded into the dash from our last trip up to Lampkin falls with it.

We also have added some property composed of a nice grassy field adjacent to the spring, which will be excellent for camping. We still have some spots available for observers; a full weekend pass is provided to folks who can observe one day during the weekend or 10 passes for a club willing to host a section.

Mark your calendars and don't miss the trials event of the year!

Online ordering now available for 2008 Wagner Cup (USGP WTC) tickets

2008-01-30T23:01:00.001-06:00

Tickets for the 2008 Wagner Cup, also known as the United States Grand Prix (USGP), World Trials Championship, are now available via an online registration form here on the TTC web site.

Options include an all-event ticket, as well as individual practice day and competition day tickets. Camping reservations can also be made.

Online registration now available for Trials Training Days, March 29-30, 2008

2008-01-29T21:51:00.000-06:00

Online registration is now available for Trials Training Days (TTD), March 29-30, 2008. We'll have a PDF flyer with the details Real Soon Now.

In the meantime, see these PDFs from the 2007 Trials Training Days:

the 2007 TTD flyer
the 2007 TTD Map
the 2007 TTD Schedule
the 2007 TTD Section descriptions

as well as our photo album from the 2007 Trials Training Days.