Trail Bike Adventure Magazine

October 12

Monday, 12 October 2009 06:59

Not much to report today as far as the magazine goes. The ISDE kicks off in Portugal today and I'm watching it as best I can.

You'll see on the front page a large ISDE logo. If you click on it and scroll down the page you can follow whatever updates I'm able to glean. Ben Burrell is over there and sending some hilarious text messages. I wish I had half his riding talent and all his enthusiasm for everything. I'd be the best-liked world champion on the planet.

I was shocked to read of Shane Watts' latest injury. I'm a big fan of Shane's and thought his inclusion in the Aussie ISDE team was a good move. Not only will he miss what he thought would be his last ISDE, but recovery from that kind of trauma will be a big ask, even for The Black Dog (he's pulled off some amazing recoveries in the past. I think I remember two knee reconstructions on the same knee in a single season?).

I have to say my eyebrows rose a little when I saw Nick Beattie elevated into the junior team. I'm a fan of Nick's as well. He's as nice a bloke as ever rode a dirt bike, and fast, but I didn't realise he was so close to making the team. Awesome. I really hope he whoops freckle. And Toby Price into the senior team. Yeehah! Great to see young talent getting a look in.

I can't remember the last update on the KTM. I had the forks sorted. found the axle-cap bolts stripped and missed yet another event. The next setback came when I put the wheel in and went over the bike to make sure it was all okay (again). I started it, of course.

No problem.

When I opened the shed the next morning it was proudly doing its impersonation of the Exxon Valdez. Christ. There was enough on the floor to account for a whole colony of fairy penguins.

So I'm off into town this morning to pick up a new countershaft seal and a couple of other bits and pieces.

The DR650, meanwhile, is back with me and has been happily running the first section of the Longest Day course, now only 11 weeks away. As usual, the mightty DR just keeps going and nothing ever seems to go wrong with it. I'm tossing up about running the 18-inch rear wheel this year. I've had a lucky run with no punctures, but it can't continue. The 18-inch wheel makes tyre changes SO much easier. I'll fit it this week and start using it for the pre-riding to see how I feel about it.

For the Tenere freaks hanging out for the review of the new bike, I pick one up in the first week of November, and will head out with Steve Crombie for a few days.

That should be a story-and-a-half!

The route's not certain yet. We're tossing up between Menindee Lakes and the trout festival in the Tumut region.

Keep checking the ISDE entries for the latest as it comes to hand.

TF

Comments (3)

3 Wednesday, 14 October 2009 16:53

Reg Eldridge

I really enjoy reading this blog and usually check two to three times a week to see what's happening. I've come to enjoy the updates on the old KTM, as I myself get a lot of satisfaction from working and riding the bikes I own.

Hey, I even enjoyed reading the contents page of ADB when you used to work there, and always had a good laugh at the way Tony Kirby would have a dig at you.

2 Tuesday, 13 October 2009 09:36

TF

As usual, TBAM is ahead of it's time.

(Got a bit excited about the ISDE. Sorry about that).

1 Monday, 12 October 2009 12:39

Alan Roots

Ummmmm , fix the headline Tom , youse don't want the whole world to know that you don't know what month it is do ya !