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(Above) The terrain around the Motoventures facility Is ideal for trials .. so Ideal that It plays host to a National round. (Left) At the risk of coming off like pansies, our reporters admitted that the part of the tour they liked most was the loop. which transferred them from section to section. A relatively easy portion of trail Is pictured here, but there's plenty to give you a workout without even counting the actual zones. (Right) Aaron shows off again. Although It appears that he's jumping off of the ledge above, he's actually finishing off a iSO-degree aerial maneuver on a natural quarterpipe. but not so brutal that it wears you The bottom line is that you've got out. But, just when you begin to feel like you know what you're doing, to give trials riding a shot some time. Notice that I didn't say "you should" LaPlante will throw in a section to or "you could" - trials is something push your limits and test your skills. We often found ourselves dabbing that you simply must tryout one way or another, and Motoventures' trials like centipedes, but were nonetheless tours represent a logical way to do it. There's not much in the way of friUs - proud in the realization that we had negotiated terrain heretofore dismissed (by us, at least) as impossible and impassable. no luxurious accommodations, elaborate meals or expansive scenery just the opportunity for a memorable, Another cool thing about trials is full-immersion trials experience that that its low speeds make it relatively just might change your life. Even if you're not from Southern California, safe - you can test yourself more (and have more fun) at 2 mph than but hit the Golden State periodically 60 on a dirt bike, and on business, the company's proximi- you'll also get a tough enough workout that your muscles wilJ be talking ty to L.A. and San Diego and its quiver of rental bikes mean you back for a few days. Perhap~ that's could schedule an extra day and dip why top motocrossers and off-roaders your toe in the strange, invigorating waters of trials-riding. you will at like Damon Huffman and Larry Roeseier use it on a regular basis as cross-training. Now, if Motoventures would just start offering sailboat tours. eN When Motoventures boss Gary laPlante says that his headquarters is a trials mecca for the western United States, he's not just bragging - or at least he's not doing so without basis. In addition to hosting most of Motoventures' various operations, the Aguanga facility is the site of the second-oldest trials event in America - the mistitled EI Trial de Espana - and the California stop on the U.S. National Trials Championship Series circuit (the opening round for 2001). Both of those events are coming up this weekend. If you're in the area, you might consider taking in the event, which will showcase the country's top trials talents. And if not, check out the rest of the year's schedule below. Defending champ Geoff Aaron will be gunning for his record seventh National title. Aaron runs his own Extreme Riding Entertainment team, which operates separately from the inhouse Gas Gas squad. in addition, Belgian National Champion Fred Crosset will be competing in the States this year (in addition to following the Belgian National Enduro and Tri· als Series!), and former World Champion Tommy Ahvala is even planning to hit a couple of rounds. Trials is slowly but steadily increasing in popularity and, with riding areas disappearing at an alarming rate, its minimal sound output and land requirements may represent the wave of the future. Check it out, and you'll be able to say you were ahead of the wave. AMA/NATC National Championship Trials Series Rounds 1-2: April 21-22 Aguanga, California Rounds 3-4: July 14-15 Exeter, Rhode Island Rounds Rounds Rounds 5-6: 7-8: 9-10: July 21-22 August 25-26 September 1-2 Cayuta, New York Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico Nenawka, Nebraska FIM World Championship Trials Series - U.S. Round Round 6: June 9-10 Goldendale, Washington Teams TheLo"Wdo~ Motoventures offers a variety of options for off-road and trials motorcycle enthusiasts and neophytes. The one-day trials ride we participated in includes use of a modem Gas Gas trials bike and Axo apparel, and goes for either $300 Uust riding) or $400 (riding and instruction). There's also the intriguing option called "The Ultimate" of a day of dirt bike training and a day of trials training, which goes for $500 or $600 (the latter including rental bikes). Experienced off-road riders who want to brush up on their technique may opt for the Skill Builder, which includes open trail situations and sells for $200 ($300 with a rental bike). Outright beginners should consider the $100-$150 MSF closed-range exercises, which Motoventures also offers. If you're from out of town, Motoventures can arrange transportation to and from the airport, as well as accommodations in Temecula. (The Aguanga headquarters is within two hours of both Los Angeles and San Diego.) Motoventures also puts on local off-road tours, which vary in price from $200 (one day, your bike) to $1600 (three day, rental bike), as well as a five-day Arizona dual-sport tour for either $1600 (your bike) or $2800 (rental). ~0G0\!7@OOD'@f3 P.O. Box 403 Aguanga, CA ~36 909n67-o991 www.motoventurcs.com Beta Andy Johnson U.S. Montesa Ryon Bell Chris Florin Dan Johnson ERE/Gas Gas Geoff Aaron Wilson Craig Sherco David Chaves Ray Peters Gas Gas USA Tommi Ahvala Fred Crosset Jess Kempkes 'I'rJ.'•.,. die We" www.atatrials.org www.trials.net www.trialsusa.com www.ereonJine.com www.gasgas.com " " U " " I ... n ... _ s • ApRIL 25, 2001 21