Sequatchie, TN
July 4th, 2015
By Michael Friddell
Another year at the TTC and another year with rain. Many don’t realize but I’ve been doing events there since 2001. Yeah, fourteen years. Wow. Fortunately, only a handful have been rainy. Still, the few that have had rain were the most challenging – both for setting the sections and riding the sections. Anyone who has ever been to the TTC knows that there are incredible rocks to ride almost everywhere you look. However, many are so slippery when wet that they can’t be used at all. This creates quite a challenge for setting the sections because there is so much awesome terrain you simply cannot use.
Thankfully, with help from Lance and Nigel, we were able to set four Beginner/Sport and five Expert/Pro sections. This allowed the usual three loops for Beginner/Sport and two for Expert/Pro. I considered setting a Pro-only section to give them six-by-two but, as I said, the rain severely limited my options. In the end, most everyone said the sections were sufficiently challenging without being dangerous.
I am rather disappointed to have so few Beginners again this year and a low turnout all together. However, several told me that some other riders didn’t come out due to the impending weather and to save money in preparation for the North American Championship in Keystone, CO. I suppose that is understandable.
That said, I was quite impressed with Jordan Pike. He was a beginner in the truest sense of the word because this was the first time he has ever ridden trials. Not just his first trials competition but trials at all. He borrowed a bike and threw himself into it. Several of us coached him along and he learned very quickly. His score might not reflect it but I can attest that he improved something in every section. Way to go, Jordan!
I was also amazed by Elliot Key and Josh Roper. They are both mototrials riders, quite good ones at that. Elliot’s Dad, Chris, was a big help at the event and told me how much Elliot loves to ride bicycle trials. I sure hope he keeps at it. He has a bright future. Josh also rode very well and I’m sure time and practice will bring much future success.
Alan was the only Expert since Lance moved up to Pro again. There are several other Expert-level riders in the southeast so, hopefully, Alan will have some competition at other events this year. Even so, he rode well and continues to improve, especially considering that he rode Sport just a year ago.
Dave absolutely dominated the Pro class this year. He rode his entire second loop clean even after putting an inch long gash in his shin on the first loop. Tom showed everyone how to ride super smooth in the wet and mud and pulled a much deserved second place. Nigel also impressed with a calm and composure rarely seen. He, Tom, Lance were pitted in a tight battle pretty much the whole event, yet still showed the support and camaraderie that makes our sport so great.
Thank you to everyone for coming out in the rough weather and making the event worthwhile. I especially thank Lance, Nigel, Jimmy Kuneman, and Chris Key for their help. Finally, thanks again to great folks at the TTC for continuing to support bicycle trials!
Results
| Place | Rider | Score |
| Beginner | ||
| 1st | Jordan Pike | 54 |
| 2nd | Shawn Pruitt | DNF |
| Sport | ||
| 1st | Elliot Key | 6 |
| 2nd | Josh Roper | 13 |
| 3rd | Roman Coffman | 38 |
| 4th | Jimmy Kuneman | 50 |
| Expert | ||
| 1st | Alan Shirley | 45 |
| Pro | ||
| 1st | Dave Campbell | 8 |
| 2nd | Tom McNeal | 14 |
| 3rd | Nigel Kohring | 20 |
| 4th | Lance Kleffman | 26 |
| 5th | Alex Niederer | 53 |