Trail Bike Adventure Magazine

Finishing issue #30. September 20

Sunday, 20 September 2009 16:28

i admit things aren't going too badly for issue #30, and there's a very real chance I'll have it all done this weeek.

That's a chance. Not a certainty.

I slipped down to MSC headquarters on the NSW central coast during the week to catch up with Toby Price. He's pretty happy at the moment, having just won the AORCs outright. Due to a scoring system I don't really understand, he didn't win his class. Stefean Merriman did.

Whatever. Toby's a really nice kid and I'm glad to see him have a win. Stefan's a nice bloke too, and I'm glad to see him a winner as well.

In any case, issue #30 will have an interview with Toby, explaining where he came from and the fact that he's not such a newbie after all.

I also rode the entire KTM EXC range - as did every other dirt bike mag in Australia - so there'll be a brief rundown on those.

Yamaha has released details of the new YZ450F, and a new YZ144 (the thought of which pitches a tent in my nylons!), and whatever information and pics are available by the end of this week will be in issue #30. I've begged for a ride on both, but I doubt it'll happen in time for this issue.

Looking a little further ahead, the folks at Britton Motorcycle Adventures - the guys who run the New Zealand Safari - have kindly offered me a spot on the 2010 rides (two in 2010: One specifically for dualsporters), and you can bet I'm on my knees begging Yamaha for a bike. I've asked as politley as I can for a new Tenere, so I'll have my fingers crossed. I rate the New Zealand Safari as one of the woprld's best dyalsport rides, and I'll do almost anything to get there!

Meanwhile, on the personal front, I'm still waiting for my 125's forks to come back from KTM. I'm hoping they'll be here this week so's I can ride a club motocross here in Coffs next weekend. I have a punishing week trying to get the mag done between now and then, but if all goes well I'll reward myself by lining up on Sunday and pounding my brains out. I haven't ridden a fair-dinkum motocross for a decade or more, so it might be a bit tricky, but I'll give it a shot.

I guess you all saw the Seven Hills videos. They were very rough cuts to get them up quickly, and I'll do a proper edit, hopefully with a new backing track, for the next DVD. It was three great days and a great bunch of riders, and I rapt Detour has already decided to do it again next year.

Meanwhile, the Longest Day tour needs some starters. If you'd like to see what the ride's all about without the danger and stress, Detour is running a guided tour over the course in November. Check the home page for details.

That's it for now. If I think of anything else I'll tag it on during the week.

TF