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CPTA 1

After a few years of guranteed horrible weather for the CPTA events we have been quite lucky the last few years. Saturday was the perfect day for a comp!

After fueling up at the Goodwin Bar and Grille the Poussin, Femina and Sport riders ventured out to the sections. Every category in the morning was extremely competitive.

Danielito and Felix battled it out all morning in the 10 and under Poussin Category with Danielito winning by a single point. Nicholas Long rode strong all morning but could not quite keep up with the other two. All three have a couple of years left in Poussin and I think I will have to up the skill level on the sections very soon!

In Femina Chantal Laurie was also very strong in beating Haley Martin. We definitely need more girls out competing!!!!!

The Sport Categoy was the most competitive. All 4 riders (Mitchell Long, John Goodwin, Kevin Minato and Jesse Ellingson) all rode in a group together and were very close the entire tme. Kevin ended up breakin his fork after riding extremely well for 7 sections. Tough break for Kevin but I think now he sees his competition riding has improved quite a bit and he can compete with the others. Next comp should be interesting!!!! John Goodwin just did not make any mistakes though and used his Japan experience to eventually pull away from his competitors. John's dad Craig also used his Japan experience except that was at the party afterwards at our house. Jesse was also there until the end and Mitchell, being quite a few years younger hung in there until the end as well.

In the afternoon there were 2 Master riders (over 30). Both Ian Johansen and Chris Jenkins rode very well but were hampered by their home-care workers constantly getting in their way, and Chris's cane got stuck in his spokes a few times......all kidding aside these two are still very competitive even at their "advanced" age. Actually Ian would have been on the podium in Expert!

In the Expert Category Jason Baia took the win with Chris Hii 2nd and Tinker Pete Hellenbrand 3rd. Rob Adams was just out of the medals.

Now to the Elite......which was surprisingly the largest category! Steve Baia had a bit of a tough day and his mind was definitely elsewhere....his graduation was the same day and he had to be there by about 2:00. He started early and went thru the sections very quickly which showed. Even though these guys only ride for 2 minutes each section it is VERY tiring and extremely difficult to do one after the other. As usual John Webster took the win, making everything look easy except for the "section from hell" otherwise known as Jeff's section. John did get further into the section than anyone including making an incredible "up" from a very difficult base and a very cool gap landing flat on a huge angled boulder. With 2 5's on the one section and a brake failure 5 on another he only had one other dab the entire competition. Definitely in China form! Jeff and Steve were battling it out for 2nd with Jeff squeaking by with 26 compared to Steve's 28. Right on their heels was the Islands Russell Phillips with 35, then Brit rider Aaron Cook with 36. Steve, Alex Li and first time Elite Aaron Dobler rounded out the field.

Thanks to Peter and Jason for checking all morning long, Peter and Jeff for setting a few sections, Chris Jenkins for supplying some prizing, Kylie and Lauren for their awesome concession.

The party afterwards at our house was a blast. We ordered a bunch of pizzas, sat by the fire, the kids played on the speed trials course and played "The Disc Game" which John Goodwin and I absolutely dominated....there should be medals for that too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pictures are here

Clinic and CPTA 1 info

Well the first clinic/social of the year was a great success. The weather was spectacular which is odd for a CPTA event. Lots of Island guys came over and a bunch of kids including Felix and Jackson (7 and 5 years old) who tore it up pretty good! These 2 definitely have some huge trials skills at an early age and could be the Elite 2019 riders! There were probably 20-25 riders and that many again of family members. I figured just at this little fun clinic/social we had most of the top riders in North America attending! Check here for some pictures of the event.

CPTA 1 (click for info)

The first competition of the year is Saturday June 13th. We will have all the regular categories as well as a "beginner category" which will be $10 for a one day waiver and riders will ride the Novice lines but they will not be eligible for medals or prizes (if we get any...)

I encourage everyone to sign up with the CPTA Biketrials Club online here which costs $30 and this goes directly to Cycling BC to insure you for the year. This also saves me much time and effort!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you sign up ahead of time it only costs $15 for the event. If you don't sign up it costs $30. You cannot sign up the day of the event!

As always there will be a great concession with coffee and McGoodwin sandwiches in the morning and their "always spectacular" burgers and dogs later. Bring some money and help support Kylie thru University!

Clinic!

Hi from The Baia's

We will be holding our annual free Bike trials teaching clinic Sunday May 31st at The Burrard Thermal Plant.( next to Belcarra park). The classes start at 10:00AM. We teach kids of all ages as well as any adults wanting to practice the basic moves of trials and what to expect during a competition. After learning the basics moves its all about practice.

We organize 2 to 3 competitions a year at the Burrard Thermal plant as well as our largest competition in Whistler during the Crankworx Bike Festival. All our competitions have a beginners category for kids as well as adults. During our Whistler competition we also offer a free kids competition for children under 9. Check out our website at www.baiabros.com. For more competition and clinic details click on CPTA.

Jason, Sean and Steven will be our main instructors as well as other professional riders. There will be a free hot dog barbeque as well as refreshments so come and enjoy the fun. After the clinic local kids are more then welcome to contact us or come by for more pointers.

Bike trials is an extreme sport that challenges the need for excitement but is relatively safe due to lack of speed.. The sport is all about balance and control of a bike which is the basics to all bike sports. Helmets are mandatory, shin and elbow guards recommended and please have your bikes checked out. Secret cycle has an excellent bike mechanic. Any bike will do. There is no bike specific in the beginners, just lower those seats and come out for some fun. Any other questions you can either phone or email at mbaia@shaw.ca

Whistler weekend

We were up in Whistler for the long weekend doing shows for the official Bike Park opening. The weather was spectacular and so were the crowds. Also scoped out some of the areas for the upcoming North American Biketrials Championships in August during Crankworx.

Jason, Steve, John Goodwin and Mitchell Long came up as well as Justin Kohse on his unicycle. The kids all had a riot! The adults had a little fun as well! We had a few rooms right on the pool at the Whistler Village Inn and Suites so after the days shows were over we came back and cooked up a feast every night. Click here for some pics....

The first clinic/social is approaching rapidly. Looks like quite a turnout! Should be lots of kids and most of the top trials riders in North America will be out to lend a hand. We will bbq up some food and have at least 4-5 sections for kids to try out. EVERYONE is welcome!

Looks like a good turnout for China as well. So far Jeff Anderson, Steve Dicken, John Webster, John Goodwin, Mitchell Long, Dave Herr and possibly Steve B. will be going. Anyone else interested let me know asap.

Upcoming clinic

May 31st is the first social/clinic of the year. We will have 4-5 sections set, lots of dogs, drinks and pro riders out to help out the beginners! It will start about 10:00 and end whenever! Let your cross country and downhill friends know and have them come out and try their hands at trials!

Check out this link for a look at one of our Master riders, Ian Johansen on CTV!

We will be up at Whistler this weekend doing shows in the village.

Updates....

Just got an email from Hiroshi (BIU Pres) and it looks like he will be bringing his daughter Yuna, (BIU world Elite), Yasutaka Shibata, as well as Yuga Ujikawa (2008 WBC Poussin #2). They will be competing in both the CPTA event August 8th as well as the NABC/Trialsworx event in Whistler August 14,15. As I get new confirmation on entries I will announce them!

Master rider Ian Johansen was filmed by CTV and it will be shown on Wednesday at 6:45 during the Sports telecast. Be sure to check it out!

The Biketrials Park at Rocky Point just received a great donation from the Rotary Club. There will be an extensive renovation soon...I am sure some volunteer help will be needed!!!!!!

2009 Competition Info

First off....anyone interested in competing in China this year for the World Championships should really let me know asap. As this is the only round for the year I am sure it will fill up quickly. As always the only cost will be airfare (about $1800?). The organizers will pick up riders at the airport, transfer them to competition site and provide accomodation and meals for a nominal fee.
Click here for info on the competition.

The Vancouver/Whistler International Biketrial Classic should be very well attended. It looks like Hiroshi will be coming out again and bringing his daughter Yuna who is a very good rider! We hope to get a few other Japanese riders (Kazuki????) as well as lots of interest from the English riders. If you do plan on coming let me know so I can put out a list of riders who will attend. I believe Jeff Lenosky will be coming as well....if you haven't seen the "Time Warp" episode with Jeff and Mike Steidley google it and watch it immediately!!!!!!

We are doing shows in Whistler on May 16,17 for the bike park opening. We will be in Mountain Square both Saturday and Sunday all day. Here is a clip of Jason and Steve from last year at Whistler...it is a Global TV interview.

The costs for this years competition are as follows.....to become a member of CPTA just follow the link. It costs $30, which goes to Cycling BC and insures you for all the competitions including any Island competitions that MAY happen.

CPTA Biketrials Club registration

CPTA 1, 2 and 4

Members $15 Non Members $30

CPTA 3 / Trialsworx

Novice, Sport, Femina, Poussin

Members $25 Non Members $40

Master, Expert, Elite

Members $35 Non Members $50

At all the competitions first timers can try out the "Beginner" category for a flat fee of $10. They will run the same lines as Novice but not be eligible for prizing, medals or trophies.

2009 Schedule

Merry Christmas!!!!

Went for the first snow ride of the year today...absolutely spectacular!!! Went up Eagle to the lookout, back down the road to the Eagle Trail entrance. The entrance was virgin snow...about 6 inches of it! Ripped all the way down non-stop. Took 4 dogs and they had a little fun too....

We have finalized the CPTA schedule for next year.

We will start with 1 clinic/competition/social on May 31. What we will do is set 4 sections for the first timers/kids/beginners and some easy sport sections. As the kids run thru the sections they will learn about competition and the basics of trials riding while being instructed by some of the top riders in North America. Its a great chance for someone who has never tried it before to come out and socialize with other riders. Maybe we will have a skills type thing in the afternoon for the expert/pro riders who come out to help. Free food and drink.

The first comp will be June 13th. To make it more of a "full event" I was thinking of having a fun dual trials event back at our place after the comp. Maybe a little bbq, pizza and of course FIRE.....hmm maybe we can incorporate the fire into the dual trials event?

The next will be August 8th which will be at the CPTA area as well. This will tie in to the next comp which is Trialsworx in Whistler the next weekend (August 14,15). This will also be the North American Biketrials Championship. Having them close together will allow riders from Europe, Asia and the US a chance to come out and do 2 World Class competitions within a 9 day period, as well as experience everything Vancouver has to offer like the "North Shore", great urban riding and of course Whistler.

The final event will be Sept 27th.

Once everything is official we will put out more info.

Ping Tang World Cup

John and Jeff returned from China yesterday. It sounds like they had a really good time. Besides one awful 5 on a relatively easy section John could have won! As it was he placed 3rd with Kazuki taking the win. Jeff finished in 6th. I will post some pics and more info when I get it. John seems very excited about next year and he wants to do all the rounds in 2009. It looks like there will be 3 in Asia spaced a week apart in China, Singapore and Japan.

Here are some pics and info....

BIU Canadian Championships

Well John Webster absolutely dominated again! A week before he and Jeff Anderson leave for China, John put on an amazing show. On some very difficult sections John ended with only 4 dabs including 6 cleans on the 2nd lap! Jeff was 2nd with 17 and Dave Herr 3rd with 24.

It was an absolutely spectacular September day......the smell of burgers (thanks to the Goodwins) in the air, and the sound of Magura's also in the air! Not as many riders as I'd hoped for but with Soccer starting it seemed like a few of the younger riders had other commitments.

In Poussin, Danielito Chernetski took the win over Chase Fraser. In Novice Kory Jenkins repeated from last year. In Femina Chantal Laurie took the win over first timer Haley Martin. In some very difficult Sport sections Jesse Ellingson beat out rival John Goodwin 9 points to 18 for John with an ever improving Kevin Minato 3rd with 25. In 4th was the amazing 10 year old Mitchell Long. In Expert Kevin Lui just barely beat out Jonathon Tollerud (honourary Canadian along with Pete Hellenbrand) 14 to 15 with a returning Chris Hii 3rd with 24. In Master (over 30) Ian Johansen took a convincing win over Chris Jenkins and Felix Lee.

John rode incredibly on the day. Section 1 was a "speed section" with riders getting points depending on their time. John, Jeff and Dave all made it thru the first lap barely under 1 minute which was a clean. Sections 2 and 3 were on the rocks and were both very "do-able" although very much work! Sections 4,5 and 6 were in the trees a little ways out in the forest. Section 5 especially was about a 50 -60 foot elevation gain from start to finish with only John and Dave making it.

Results

John and Jeff leave thursday for China so watch here for updates!

I will post more pics soon on flickr (photo page)

John Webster and Jeff Anderson to China!

While we were in Japan I was able to secure an invite for a Canadian rider to the Ping Tang World Cup in China . Based on the convincing win in Whistler and John's commitment to future events I decided to give the invite to John. John then offered half of the invite to Jeff so that he could go as well, so it looks like 2 Canadians will be represented in China in late September! It will be a very strong field with Kazuki, Bartak, 2 Elite Spanish riders and an up and coming Chinese field who are getting very good very fast!

The BIU Canadian Championships are coming up quickly on September 13th at Belcarra. This will be the final event of the year so come out and support the growing Canadian Biketrials scene! Anyone wishing to come out and try BikeTrials for the first time can compete for a flat rate of $10 which includes insurance.

The first pic has Shannon Tweed and her daughter from Gene Simmon's Family Jewels TV show watching the boys do some stuff......the second pic is John, Wanaka and I with the China team

Itadori section difficulty

Here are a couple of pictures to give you an idea of the difficulty of the sections at the World Championships. You really have to be on your game to even get thru some of these!

Itadori pics

Just returned from Itadori....what a blast! The sections were very difficult. Here are a few pics...I will add more as soon as possible. This one is a picture of Dani Comas right after he took a pretty bad spill off a very slippery rock. He is basically underwater! The Elite sections were incredibly hard!

Itadori!

We all arrived in Itadori safe and sound...the plane ride was probably more difficult than the sections the riders will have to do! It isnt as hot as we expected. Lots of swimming. The kids are doing some riding every day. The meetings start on Friday and will be very long but I have secured Craig to be my "Jury Minder" so it will take a load off of me. I believe having a minder for a Jury member or delegate is a first for the World Championships! The Spanish and French team are staying near us in Yamame. This year I am playing the part of Pete Hellenbrand, Kelly is playing the part of Lynda. The saki is fantastic! Must go....we are going swimming.....I mean to a meeting! I will add some pics soon.
Sayanara

Trialsworx!!!

Trialsworx 2008 is in the books! It all started friday with Kidsworx. Amazingly we had 75 riders for the kids competition! It was quite hairy at the start but it went quite smooth considering, thanks to lots of help by the riders.
Right after that the Novice, Poussin, Femina and Sport riders went off with Alex Walton taking the Novice, Kolt Hoyle winning Poussin, Lisa Howie-Louter winning the Femina "mudbunnie" category and John Goodwin winning Sport.
In the main Saturday comp John Webster was a surprise starter but not a surprise that he won!!! Jeff Anderson and Dave Herr tied for 2nd with Dave taking the 2nd place medal thru a complicated tie-breaking procedure of RPS. Brian Yezierski was 4th and Steve Baia rounded out the top five. In Master Jeff Lenosky obliterated the field with Ian Johansen 2nd and Morley Wilkins 3rd. In Expert Alex Le was the winner in a very tight race with Aaron Dbler 2nd and Phil Lucero 3rd.
Here are the results
Pictures to come later
Must run...shows to do today then off to Japan!