Oh, I soooo want to go to Laguna Seca for Moto GP sometime soon, but our schedule is so packed with Tony's competitions right now that it for sure will not be this year! By the way, our Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are named Rossi and Hayden (after Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden, Moto GP racers!).
Anywhoooo... Tony competes in "Trials", a motorcycle competition that is not a race, but a test of skill, balance and coordination. Competitors ride through areas (called "sections") that are marked off with specific routes for them to follow, in a confined area. Each section will include multiple obstacles such as riding over logs, through mud bogs, sharp turns on steep slopes, climbing rocks, etc. The riders stand on the footpegs through the entire ride through each section, and the object is to get through without putting your feet down (or falling off, stalling the bike, or going outside of the designated route). If you do any of those things, you are penalized points, so it's scored much like golf, low score wins. A perfect ride is called a "clean". The riders ride "Trials" motorcycles, which are specifically designed for this sport... modern bikes are very light weight and amazingly nimble. Tony competes in National Vintage Trials competitions, riding bikes typically from the 1960's and early 1970's. He also builds custom vintage trials bikes. You are right, he does usually ride a 250, but we have trials bikes ranging from (my) 1974 Yamaha 125 to several 175's, several 250's, and a 320 Yamaha Majesty. This year he is competing on a 1965 Triumph Tiger Cub. Long explanation, but most people here are not familiar with Trials. It is quite popular in Europe (Tony is originally from the U.K). Back in the 1970's, he competed several times in the Scottish Six Days Trial, sort of "the Olympics" of Trials competitions. He rode for the Royal Air Force Team (he was a Pilot for the Royal Air Force). You can go to
www.ahrma.org and click on Trials to see some pics of what they do. I call it "Motorcycle Ballet", but I don't think Tony likes that name! So, although riders are required to complete (ususally 24) sections within a given time frame, it's not a race.
It would be great to meet you, and Donner Ski Ranch is so beautiful! Your honeymoon sounds fantastic to me!!
Brenda