Issue #2 : December 2017
Email feedback, articles and ideas to neottnews@fastmail.com
Links to previous newsletters:
Nov 2017 :
Like a lot
of youngsters my love of motorcycles was preceded by bicycles. At a very early age bicycles provided that
feeling of freedom, wind in my hair (as I had never heard of a bicycle helmet)
and a smile on my face. I logged many
miles biking on rural gravel roads on an OTASCO Flying O.
In
my
earliest years I never had a motorcycle of my own. My Dad was a bit of a
“Picker” and a cowboy
who had no use for anything with two wheels, if he could buy anything
low and
sell high he made it happen. One day a
Honda trailbike showed up at home and I rode it every chance I got. A
few months later… it was gone. I guessed that Dad was able to make a
buck on
it.
Fast forward to age fifteen. I was in Ft. Smith, AR at a second hand shop. I was really uninterested in everything in the shop until I spotted a large stack of Dirt Bike magazines. I still have the image in my head of the front cover photo. It was the 125cc MX shootout. Oh my goodness….. those bike were beautiful. All the latest in Japanese models and Yamaha had two, YZ and MX.
Dad, being the boss that he was, brought home a 1975 Kawasaki KT-250. I took one look at that thing and was actually disappointed. I had read about trials in Dirt Bike magazine so I knew they were SLOW. I’m sure when my Dad spoke with the salesman he said, “Show me the slowest bike you have”. Nonetheless part of me was happy to have any bike that was dirt worthy.
I rode that
bike for about five years then entered my first trial about 1982 or 83 with
NEOTT at the Sand Springs grounds. My
trials career lasted about two or three events then I sold the bike.
Twenty-five years past me by when I decided to purchase a “modern” trials bike and give it another go. In 2008 I found a 2001 GasGas 321, purchased it, got it home and was hooked, became a NEOTT member soon after.
About seven years ago I starting missing the KT of my youth. Located a ’76 KT250 in Longmont, CO and had it shipped to Tulsa. I ride it occasionally, have taken it to events to use as a pitbike/section setting bike. That old iron really does help in reliving the past.
Over the
years I’ve made a lot of great friendships and I enjoy everything that goes
along with trials. Being
outdoors/camping, camaraderie, the challenge of bike control and terrain
challenges.
Much like
Jason’s (Shack’s) rider profile from last month I have to say the Ute Cup has
been my favorite mototrial memory. All
the challenges it brings. Such as power loss from engine because of elevation,
sections, loop, a hail shower, wondering if you’ll have enough fuel or will I
have enough stamina.
Last Ute I attended I was ready to tap
out. I was so tired. The last section
was just a pile of rocks and in my memory it was a hundred yards long. I was
ready to punch out with a five when I hear behind me “Come on Kev…you can do
this” None other than Shack shouting
words of encouragement and coaching me to the finish line. Thanks buddy.
My mototrials plan for the future is to make more memories.
Overall Results:
Exp: Ron Lee - 7 ; Chris Shellenberger - 32 ; Mike Cramsey - 120
Int: Todd Phillips - 28
Sr Ama: Todd Duesterhaus - 15 ; Eldon Malone - 17 ; Kevin Kight - 22 ; Joel Honea - 79
Nov: Bill Kleeman - 18 ; Penni Taylor 28 ; Charlie Mallow (N\C) - 14
Almosta Race:
Remember that Fred and Mary are hosting the Almosta Race on Jan 1, 2018. All the latest info is their FB page here
2017 Awards
Penni Taylor, Novice : Todd Duesterhaus, Sr. Ama : Mike Cramsey, Expert
4. Kevin Kight
Lifetime Award
Then this totally unexpected event happened, the tall guy got a Lifetime Membership Award.
"From the members of NEOTT in recognition of the countless hours you have dedicated to our club. You are hereby granted a lifetime free pass to membership and all NEOTT events."
Thanks guys! I'm thinking 30 or 40 more years of free sounds great to me because it may take that long to eventually get my name on the Sooner Cup.
- NATC-West: Apr 21 & 22 - Roswell, NM
- NATC-West: Apr 28 & 29 - TBD, CO
- CRTC\MWTA: May 5 & 6, NE
- NEOTT: May 20, Gruber
- NATC-East: Jun 9 & 10 TTC, TN
- NATC-East: Jun 16 & 17 Uniontown, AR
- NEOTT: Jul 21, Grand Lake, SATURDAY Night Trial
- RMTA: Aug 18 & 19 Ute Cup, Rainbow Trail, CO
- NATC-West: Sep 1 & 2 - Donner, CA
- FIM: Sep 8 & 9 - Vancouver, Canada (Canadian Nationals)
- NEOTT: Sep 9 Fry Lake Seminole, OK
- CRTC\MATT: Sep 15 & 16 - Trenton, MO
- CRTC\NEOTT: Sep 29 & 30 - Sooner Cup, Fry Lake Seminole, OK
- CRTC\AVTA: Oct 13 & 14 - Sedan, KS
- CRTC\NTTA: Nov 3 & 4 - Muenster, TX
- NEOTT: Nov 18 - Wildcat Ranch, AR
- NEOTT: Dec 16 - Grand Lake with year-end banquet and awards
You can subscribe to this schedule by copying and pasting the following link into your desktop or mobile device calendar. How you do that varies by device and operating system - google it or call Cramsey if you get stuck.
https://calendar.google.com/calendar/ical/bbgv3f6dcvcans0g1menjv8v08%40group.calendar.google.com/public/basic.ics
Benefits include automatic updates if the dates change, links to web sites for more info, get directions on your phone when addresses are known and reminders 3-days prior to the event.
Cool Stuff
Super Dave brought his drone camera out to Disney back in October and filmed Shack riding the Master Line in Section 7. Definitely cool stuff.
Click the image or here to watch the video.
You can pick these up at event sign-up and hand them out like candy to friends, family and anyone that has an interest in trials. If you need a rush order, let Cramsey know and he'll get them dispatched to you posthaste. Many thanks to RYPUSA for helping with the printing costs.
Looking for a bike? (Seriously aren't we always looking :-)) here are some quick links for trials bikes on Craigslist in these nearby cities:
Coming up in the January 2018 Issue
- Rider Profile - Mike Cramsey
- Various updates from the world of trials
- Also never too early to get your 2018 Membership form turned in - the form is here.