Thanks to all that Supported 2 Wheels for Meals

Thanks to all the people who helped make the 2 Wheels for Meal fundraiser a success. Over $1500 was raised for the Mobile Meals program, and some money is still coming in.  Pretty good for an event that was planned in three weeks! We had a lot of non-riding folks who came out to support the event, and while the numbers from the motorcycling community weren't what we were expecting, the people who did come were VERY generous with their contributions.
Thank you to everyone!

 

2 Wheels for Meals! - Help Support Mobile Meals of Knoxville

Mobile Meals is one of the best programs around, and the've been around for 41 years. However, times are hard, and they are in a pinch. If you have ever known an elderly person who couldn't get out to buy food, or if you have ever helped deliver food to these folks, you know the value of this program. 100% of all money raised will go to the Mobile Meals program and will be donated on their telethon on July 29th, "by the motorcycle community of East Tennessee." Please help spread the word on this event, and do your best to ride or just come by. Free Lunch, Live Music, and a good cause. You can't beat it! Come by from 11:00 till 2:00

Directions from I-40. Take I-275 North, Take the first Exit (Baxter Street) Turn right on Baxter, and Immediately right again on Val Street. (Val turns into Marion St) Follow Val Street around the Corner to the Shafer Insurance Building.

Mountain Trail Riders Association - Upper East Tenn Club

If you are looking for a Trail Riding club in the upper East Tennessee area you need to check out the Mountain Trail Riders Association. I haven't ridden with them yet, but I plan to. They are a relatively new club (founded in 2009), are a non profit, and most importantly are extremely active in keeping their few remaining area riding areas open. They are also very involved in the new, 8.600 acre, Doe Mountain OHV area.
Their meetings are held the first Thursday of each month at Pardners BBQ at 5444 Hwy 11E in Piney Flats just south of the Bristol Motor Speedway. 

Another really cool thing they are doing is raffling off this SWEET 1975 Bultaco Pursang to raise money for their club. $5 a chance, or 5 for $20.  Check out their excellent website, www.mountaintrailriders.org

Pictures from the Tennessee National

As expected, the AMA Tennessee National held this past weekend was off the charts! In fact, it may have been off the charts even more than the promoters anticipated. I was told over 40,000 general admission tickets were sold online, and one guy who was parking cars told me, based on what he had seen at NASCAR races he estimated 70,000.  I don't know the numbers, but it was a lot. We got there Friday night and the parking was well over 50% full. From where we were camped on a hill you could see the road coming in over 1 mile away, and it was bumper to bumper from 6:30 till 1:00. Keep in mind the Saturday Pro Race was book-ended by Amateur races on Friday and Saturday, so a healthy crowd was already there.

 The track layout was great, and since it lies in a valley there were amble places to watch from that offered views of lots of the track.

Like most great events,there is no comparison between watching on TV and being there in person. Seeing the speed these guys carry,

and the elevation they get on the jumps, is unbelievable when your standing 30' away.

 Josh Grant roosting!

TV camera stations were everywhere you looked.

Event hat, cool event tiger striped T-Shirt, a new toy Honda, and a place to play right next to the fence so you can see your favorite rider come by. Think the little guy will remember this day?

 Gosh I hope this comes back next year!

AMA Motocross National this Weekend! First in South in 15 years!

For the first time in 15 years, an AMA Outdoor National Motocross is coming to the South, and better yet, it is coming to our back yard!
Saturday June 1st, the big guys are coming to the Bristol National, held at Muddy Creek Raceway in Blountville (just a few miles from the Tri Cities Airport and Bristol Motor Speedway. 
For years my off road buddies and I have wondered why there isn't an Outdoor National in the South. Sure there are Supercross races at Atlanta and Daytona, but I've always wanted to see the fast guys stretch the throttle cable on an outdoor track, this weekend we can! Early indications are that the turnout will be huge, so go early. tickets can be bought online at muddycreekpromx.com

Pictures from the World Trials

The World Trials at Sequatchie this past weekend was even bigger than the last time they were here.  Absolutely perfect weather, great crowd from around the world, and a setting that could be a National Park. I was told that one of the FIM officials said this was the best venue they travel to. That's a bold statement considering that they travel the world. Here are some of the pictures I got from Saturday.
 
All the trials manufacturers factory teams were there in force. Gas Gas-Beta-Sherco-Ossa-Montessa

 

You know your a factory rider when other people mix your gas for you.

 Great Crowd at every section.

Who could climb that??

6 time World Champion Toni Bou from Spain. No Problem. In fact, all pro riders cleared this section

Hydration is important when your following the riders from section to section. World trials fans know this.

 

You can see the event on FIM-TV.com

It's always amazing watching what these guys can do.

 Some of the Knoxville crowd hanging at the Cycleblend camp at the end of the day.

 

World Trials Event this Weekend at Trials Training Center

This weekend is the WORLD TRIALS CHAMPIONSHIP at the Trials Training Center in Sequatchie, Tn. (Just west of Chattanooga). www.trialstrainingcenter.com  Think about it, how often do you get the chance to see a real World Championship? Other than the Moto GP races, this is really it. This is actually 2 rounds, #'s 3 & 4, and combined they are the Wagner Cup.
The event actually covers 3 days, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The competition is on Saturday and Sunday, starting at 9:30 both days. Friday is a day of practice, Vintage Trials Demos, and free trials clinics. Vendors will be set up on starting Thursday. There is also a concert Saturday night.
Camping is already sold out, so if that is an indicator, the crowd should be great. If you come Friday or Saturday look me up in the campground. I'll have a white EZ up with the Cycleblend Banner displayed, and free soft drinks and water while it last. Hope to see you there!!