E5: Kurt Pickering the commissioner and historian

It had to happen…we interviewed someone outside of Victoria! Kurt Pickering is from a Trials family and grew up in the sport. He is secretary of the Tasmanian Motorcycle Trial Club, played a key role in the administration of the Australian Titles that were held in Tassie in 2019 and is a part time trials historian! I met Kurt when he came to the Argyle trial in 2019, about the same time he started his role as a Trials Commissioner at Motorcycle Australia (he is one of 3 people). In this wide ranging discussion we talk about the Tasmanian trials scene which is punching well above its weight, Kurt's role in the TMTC and as MA commissioner.

Show Notes:

Tasmanian Motorcycle Trials Club

History: https://www.tastrials.org.au/?page_id=11

TMTC Club Champions: https://www.tastrials.org.au/?page_id=958

FIM X-Trial

Round four of the FIM X-Trial World Championship gets underway this Sunday, February 2, at Barcelona’s unique Palau Sant Jordi venue. We will aim to have a round up of the results here next episode.

https://www.trialmaguk.com/barcelona-x-trial-arrives-with-repsol-honda-team-on-home-soil/

WDTC have announced that entries are open for their trial on the 1st March in Fordsdale Qld.

https://trials.com.au/news/wdtc-club-series-round-1-5069

TRS 2020 Raga Replica has been landed in Australia and is currently clearing customs

This is the fourth year of the RR model and has a number of improvements. The new TRRS ONE RR 2020, will be available in three displacements - 300, 250 and 125 cc from The Hell Team and all TRS state dealers.

https://trials.com.au/news/2020-trs-raga-race-replica-5070

NSW Twinshock Championship June long weekend 2020

DMCC will once again be hosting the NSW Twinshock Championship in the June long weekend at the Cowan’s property Sandy Hollow just out of Denman. Event runs over the sat/sun/mon. Stay tuned for the sup regs and details.

https://trials.com.au/news/nsw-twinshock-championship-june-long-weekend-2020-5071

AMA Victorian Calendar is out

A joint calendar between OMCC and Southern Trials riders has been released. Details can be found on the OMCC website and links are in the show notes.

https://www.oakleighmcc.com/omcc-calendar/

Fail of the week: Retraction from Interview w Ben Forsyth

In the interview with Ben I mistakenly stated he won the first trial he entered. It was in fact Melinda Van Baalen won the Glenmaggie Clubman trial last year which was her 2nd trial after returning to competition from a 16 year absence...an equally impressive result. My apologies for that error and to clarify Ben came 2nd.

That's it for the news!

Drill of the week: Figure 8's

The objective is to ultimately ride in sequential full lock turns

The keys to this drill are:

1. get you legs bent so you are in a squat position, with your knees point out.
2. Get your weight off the handlebars. You should be able to remove your left hand and not want to fall forward.
3. At the begining you may struggle to lean the bike
4. As you improve start using your feet to steer.
5. Offset the bike lean angle by keeping your body upright while the bike leans.
6. Measure your progress.

Leveling up:

1. Do this exercise on a hill.
2. Slow it down.
3. Put some loose stones that disrupt your flow

Please email us with guest suggestions and feedback: podcast@trials.com.au