Upper Midwest Trials Association

David McLuckie is on the left. Who is the gentleman on the right? (Click the photo for a larger view.)

Submit your answer to the UMTA Membership discussion list.

UMTA and World Round USA teamed up on the booth at the Mpls Cycle World Show last weekend.

L to R: Kevin Johansen, Will Winterer, Jim Blount, Jim Winterer (blue shirt, background).

See more high-res photos in the Cycle Show 2005 photo album.

Posted to the UMTA Membership discussion list by Jim Winterer:

We had a most excellent weekend at the bike show in Minneapolis.

In addition to promoting the world round, we had Kevin’s video and brochure of UMTA trials, and Chip was there from District 23.

Bubba’s bike (authentically still a little dirty) was mounted on stands on top of a table. Tucked into the base of the stands were two TVs, one with a general world round video, and the other with the Trials TV Duluth DVD from 2004, which is one of the best trials videos I’ve ever seen. On another table (lucky we had a corner booth, which effectively doubled our “frontage” space) we had another tv with Kevin’s excellent UMTA video and display.

It was amazing how many people stopped by the booth who had either heard of the world round, or had been there and were planning to go again. We talked to quite a few motorcyclists who were genuinely interested in how to get involved in trials (especially former motocross and enduro riders).

I think that what is most interesting is the level of awareness in Minnesota of trials, at least compared to say five years ago. It is interesting because given the grand scheme of things, we really are a group of only a couple of hundred enthusiasts.

This is getting a little longer than I planned, but during a Sunday morning lull at the bike show, a number of us created a list of all the trials riders who were active in the UMTA over the last 5-10 years but who no longer were riding. We reviewed the list to see if there were any common themes as to why they no longer were riding. The reasons were all different, but a theme was that things change in people’s lives (age, health, school, jobs, etc. etc) and they can no longer compete. Meanwhile, new people join the trials scene in Minnesota so we have been able to maintain an active and healthy club. This has not always been the case in some other states.

You don’t see LOTS of new people joining, and you don’t see LOTS of people leaving, but it’s not hard to connect the dots here. Keeping up the awareness is a good thing. So is having so many people who help in so many ways to keep trials thriving in Minnesota.

Jim Winterer

Update 2/14: From Kevin Johansen

Adding my observations from the show to Jim’s:

- Last year, the most common comment I heard about any exposure to trials was something relating to seeing on tv, usually indoor trials. A suprising number of people had seen Tommi A demo’s in the past years (at least 2 years back).

- This year, the most common was some connection to Duluth: had been there, had planned on going but didn’t and now realized what they missed, had buddies that went and were talking it up, had conflicting schedules and chose something else that weekd. etc. There was awareness, and somewhat surprise, they had missed on the only chance at world level stuff, not simply another regional or national motorcycle competition going on that weekend.

- There was definitely more awareness of the sport, and of the world level of the competition. I think that bodes well for WR 05, and for trials awareness in general. That can only help the club levels.

- the bike up on stands was an awesome attention getter. Much better than something hiding behind a table. People saw things up close and personal and eye level, and visible from a distance

- having the actual dvd from Duluth 04 was an attention grabber. This is what you will see, not something filmed overseas.

- little kids just lit up when they saw Anderson’s GG50

- We gave out 250-300 club brochures, maybe 2x that world round cards?

- It was cool hearing about someone explain Duluth 04 and trials to Steve A, having no clue who they were talking to..(so steve, you were there last year then? apparently you don’t look the part. Maybe a nice 3 piece business suit. . . . .)

- Only ONE person asked me ‘where’s the seat?’

I had a great time. Get involved in these opportunities folks, it is really a fun time to just talk to people about something I like to do and appreciate what has done for my kids. - Kevin Johansen

Michael McConaughy (citabriadbq@yousq.net)

Phone: 563 556 8184
Trialsclub: WOTA
Make: Gas Gas
Model: 280 Pro
Year: 2003
Price/offer: $3200
Details: Blue, usual minor scratches and dings, runs perfectly, new fork seals and wheel bearings, 10T and original gearing. Dubuque, IA