I had a great biking weekend.  Saturday AHRMA and PITS trial at Frank Rains, Sunday AHRMA mx at Sand Hill ranch.  The trials was my first event riding advanced class and I did real well.  I did not think I would finish let alone contend.  I tied for third out of 6 in class, which I think is pretty good for my first time playing with the hot dogs.  And AHRMA trials are always much harder and longer than PITS trials.  And I was riding my AHRMA
bike instead of my PITS bike, which I am not as comfortable on and has hardly any rear brake, still.  Gotta get brakes fixed on both bikes!

I also brought the XR200 with to Frank Rains.  This is the bike I bought several months ago in pieces (basket case).  I got it back together late Friday night and I wanted to do a little shakedown and brake-in before turning it over the kids.  I was thinking that after the
trials I would not have energy to ride it hard anyway, but I did and it ran so good I had to keep reminding myself that it was not broken in and slow down.  I love it when a project comes together.  It's a 93, newest bike I have.  It would be perfect for someone to get first dirt experience on.

Sunday at Sand Hill I picked up my new (25 year old) Penton MXer.  A little rougher than the description and pictures led me to believe.  I put in some gas and immediately the carburetor starting leaking.  I shut of the fuel valve and it started up in a few kicks.  It runs, that is a relief.  I tried the kill button and that did not work.  Bad idea, riding without a kill
button.  Oh well, lets see what else doesn't work.  Rode around a bit, brakes work, clutch works, all gears work, wheels and tires seem ok, tires look new, suspension very stiff.  With engine running and fuel valve on, carb not leaking too much.  Ventured out a bit further.  Insides of muffler blow out.  Tried to loosen up suspension some, no good.  Decided to take a
couple laps, lots of power, comes on like gangbusters, all going good till I missed a shift and the throttle stuck wide open, not good.  Smashed it into gear and killed it. Bad idea riding with no kill button.  Rode a bit more remembering not to use WFO and start to get the feel for it.  Not to bad. The throttle sticking kind of took the fun out of it so I packed it up and
took a walk around to see what everybody else is riding.  I was afraid I would look fat and out of shape, but lots of old fat guys riding, so I felt skinny.  All in all, not bad.  The problems with the bike are easily fixable, and not too expensive.  Got to get the suspension set up right. And get in shape.  I felt good after about four laps, but I don't know about
20 laps in racing conditions.

Then I get home and Brad and his friend want to practice trials in the back yard.  I get my trials bikes out and they proceeded to get them covered with mud!